HELP - leak maybe? advice

[xoroniox]

also to note no leaks by the pump/motor/filter, i will try to conduct the phenol red test on the skimmer housing tomorrow sometime in the afternoon, NEEDS to be mentioned anytime the filter system is turned on after priming coming out of ONE return line is a constant flow of tiny bubbles but not very many at a time. as far as the pressure test i am still looking for research on this test online and i would love to conduct it if i am able and have the tools.

Thanks again to everyone.

[duraleigh]

Okay, since my buddy, Oxoroniox (man, you need a better username ) isn't completely convinced about the pressure side leak, I'm going to post my "pie-in-the-sky" scenario about it being in the skimmer.

I can envision a crack in the skimmer running diagonally to the water flow and very near a point where the water is forced to change direction. With no flow through the skimmer, the sides of the crack stay virtually together and there is almost no leak.

When the pump comes on, however, there is enough pressure from the redirection of the water that the thin plastic sides gap open a little allowing quite a large volume of water to escape. If this is feasible, I do not think this scenario would intake air.

Okay, Okay, I'll start drinking less from now on

[Poconos]

This stuff was posted in the old forum and therefore lost so here it is again. The leak test jig is simply a tubeless tire valve and pressure gauge mounted to a piece of PVC pipe and then coupled to the system, wherever you can, using a straight section of auto radiator hose and clamps of the appropriate size. You can use a cheapo pool pressure gauge, metal threads, instead of the 100 PSI gauge I used. I drilled a slightly undersized hole in the pipe and just threaded the gauge into the pipe using the threads on the gauge to cut the pipe. Or, the proper way, use the right tap. Tire stem can be found at any auto store. Drill the right size hole and push the stem through from the inside, as you would replacing a tubeless tire stem. For both the gauge and stem I smeared silicone seal on the inside and let it cure. To pressure test just plug the return lines and pressurize the pipes and wait to see if the pressure bleeds down. I do this ever Fall and Spring just to make sure nothing has happened. Hope this helps.
Al
PS...when pressurizing the system make sure the jig is really securely tightened to the pipe. If it blows off it can do some serious damage as a projectile. Also don't stand where it can hit you if it does fly off. 25 PSI should be more than adequate for testing the pipes. (ajs-1)

[xoroniox]

This stuff was posted in the old forum and therefore lost so here it is again. The leak test jig is simply a tubeless tire valve and pressure gauge mounted to a piece of PVC pipe and then coupled to the system, wherever you can, using a straight section of auto radiator hose and clamps of the appropriate size. You can use a cheapo pool pressure gauge, metal threads, instead of the 100 PSI gauge I used. I drilled a slightly undersized hole in the pipe and just threaded the gauge into the pipe using the threads on the gauge to cut the pipe. Or, the proper way, use the right tap. Tire stem can be found at any auto store. Drill the right size hole and push the stem through from the inside, as you would replacing a tubeless tire stem. For both the gauge and stem I smeared silicone seal on the inside and let it cure. To pressure test just plug the return lines and pressurize the pipes and wait to see if the pressure bleeds down. I do this ever Fall and Spring just to make sure nothing has happened. Hope this helps.
Al
PS...when pressurizing the system make sure the jig is really securely tightened to the pipe. If it blows off it can do some serious damage as a projectile. Also don't stand where it can hit you if it does fly off. 25 PSI should be more than adequate for testing the pipes.

Hey,
AWESOME thanks for this reply i think it will help alot. great info

[xoroniox]

UPDATE! found the leak and some cracks in the top of the skimmer housing, i used phenol red and a long thin piece of clear fish tank pvc air tube to get some red dye in there and watch the water drain, it was a small crack and hole and now i see why so much water was leaking and it was at the top of the skimmer housing where the skimmer white pvc housing meets the tile/concrete diamondbrite pool shell, thank you to everyone for their help and advice

I am going to my local pool store to find some epoxy or something to fill and seal the leak. any advice on what to use and where to get it? (home depot?) i will be fixing this late tonight or tomorrow, thanks agian

[Poconos]

For anyone following this thread I'll say it here and probably more times later. Go get some beets at the grocery store, chop them up, boil, make a lot of red dye, then eat the beets. Gives you a lot of dye and good food to boot. Cheaper then phenol red or other dyes.
Al

[KurtV]

Al, Good advice I'm sure, except for eating the beets; those things are disgusting.

[waste]

UPDATE! found the leak and some cracks in the top of the skimmer housing, i used phenol red and a long thin piece of clear fish tank pvc air tube to get some red dye in there and watch the water drain, it was a small crack and hole and now i see why so much water was leaking and it was at the top of the skimmer housing where the skimmer white pvc housing meets the tile/concrete diamondbrite pool shell, thank you to everyone for their help and advice

I am going to my local pool store to find some epoxy or something to fill and seal the leak. any advice on what to use and where to get it? (home depot?) i will be fixing this late tonight or tomorrow, thanks agian

What you're looking for is some waterproof 2 part epoxy, mix equal parts of 2 compounds - the resin and the hardener. Depending upon how visible the repair will be ( visable by pool users) and how estheticly pleasing you want the patch to be you have a couple of options. Pool stores often carry a product that cures white, which is often prefered for visable pool usage, however plumbing and hardware stores sell products that seem to be a little more durable and easier to use (they come in one tube, or stick), however they seem to come in shades of gray. I'm sure either product will perform as you need.
Hope this repair solves the problem!