Newbie with MAJOR problem...

[MyBlueDog]

Hey Waste (and everyone),

Thanks for the advice. You said if I need help to write. So I am.

Now that I believe I've found the leak, and there's a temp. plug I placed in the skimmer, should I call out a leak detection service to pin point the thing...?

My goal is to try to keep my pool holding water. Mainly so I can use my skimmer.

My pool is screened, so I've never really used the skimmer since most of the debris stays out. I use my main drain, cuz I've been forced to. But more importantly, it's never held water. So I want the thing will hold water permanently!!!!

I'd rather not abandon the skimmer entirely by permanently plugging the skimmer hole until I determine fixing the thing may be either too costly or labor intensive. Know what I mean?

I am seriously thinking of buying some of that liquid leak sealer and following the instructions for 29 bucks and dumping that into the skimmer to see if it plugs it up.

Where would you start next? A leak company??

Ideas and advice, please.

Thanks,
Daryl Bluedog
Florida

[Tredge]

Well I'm no Expert....but I am dealing with the same/similar problem.

If that liquid leak sealer works it would be the first actual case I've heard. Not that it doesnt work....I just never heard of any confirmed reports.

An Alternative that I am currently considering:
Fish a tape through the skimmer back to the pump and pull a smaller hose through. You wouldnt get as much volume through the skimmer but this would be a cheap alternative to digging up and patching the broken pipe.

My Main drain is leaking badly and I'm considering pulling a hose this week through it. If it works I'll post in this forum with pictures.

I think you'd want to run a flexible hose rated for pool chemicals. A simple garden hose wouldnt stand up from what I've read.

[MyBlueDog]

Why use a hose? What does that accomplish? Please explain.

[Maxout]

What he's talking about is basically sleeving the existing pipe by running the hose through the inside of it. The tricky part would be sealing it at both ends so that water does not leak back along the outside of the Hose/Tubing and out the original leak. I would think that the loss of volume and added restriction would not make this a very good alternative.

[MyBlueDog]

What does the hose accomplish? Please explain!

[Maxout]

The hose does not have a leak in it. Your existing underground pipe you are running it through does. You would push /pull the hose through the entire length of your pipe then the hose would be sealed to the pipe at both ends and essentially becomes a new pipe, eliminating the leak. The problem is that in order for the hose to fit inside the existing pipe it must be a smaller diameter, this would restrict flow and total volume.

[Tredge]

Correct, The hose would replace the inside of the pipes.
Not as good as replacing the pipes but it's a lot cheaper than digging them up.

Sealing both ends should be fairly straight forward with proper fittings. I'll post any pictures when I get it finished.

Yes, it would be smaller diameter but it wouldnt leak

In my case the smaller diameter hose is an acceptable alternative. If anyone has a better Idea or reason not to try this I'm all ears.

[Waterworks]

I've had many customers use Fix-A-Leak. This product is poured into the water and disperses itself in such a way that it will seal tiny leaks just by circulating in the water. I am not sure if this is what you are talking about. I see a success rate of approximately 33 - 50%. I can think of one spa customer that was losing 40-60 litres per day over the winter and tried this product in March. They haven't lost any appreciable amount since. I would certainly say that it is worth a try. We only started selling it this year, and maybe sold 10 bottles with 4 or 5 being successful.

Brad
Waterworks Pools

[waste]

Hey Waste (and everyone),

Thanks for the advice. You said if I need help to write. So I am.

Now that I believe I've found the leak, and there's a temp. plug I placed in the skimmer, should I call out a leak detection service to pin point the thing...?

My goal is to try to keep my pool holding water. Mainly so I can use my skimmer.

My pool is screened, so I've never really used the skimmer since most of the debris stays out. I use my main drain, cuz I've been forced to. But more importantly, it's never held water. So I want the thing will hold water permanently!!!!

I'd rather not abandon the skimmer entirely by permanently plugging the skimmer hole until I determine fixing the thing may be either too costly or labor intensive. Know what I mean?

I am seriously thinking of buying some of that liquid leak sealer and following the instructions for 29 bucks and dumping that into the skimmer to see if it plugs it up.

Where would you start next? A leak company??

Ideas and advice, please.

Thanks,
Daryl Bluedog
Florida

Daryl, how to proceed depends on what you can afford vs. how badly you want the repair made and how quickly you want it made. For the most part, pool repairs are done on a 'time and materials' basis, you pay an hourly rate for the guys to come out and diagnose and make the repair + the cost of the materials they have to use to perform the fix. When your talking about having to dig under a deck to get to the problem, the price can skyrocket, just in digging time. There are some things you can do to lessen the time they are there, if you'd like me to fill you in on them, I will, gladly (however, no guarantees on 'workability' for your particular situation). If you want the skimmer for next weekend and can afford it, call in your local experts, it'll be one less thing on your mind. As per before, if I can be of any help, I will do all I can for you - Ted (a/k/a/ -WASTE)

[MyBlueDog]

Hi Ted,

So.... what do you recommend?

a. Try the 29 dollar quick sealer and run it through the skimmer to see if that solves the leak?

b. Call in a leak company to confirm what I know -- the skimmer is leaking somewhere below the skimmer line, and to pinpoint the leak.

Permanently fill my skimmer with concrete?

What??

Daryl