Another liner leak

[mhnewcomb]

I am certain that you great people are sick of replying to liner leak threads, but I'm at my wit's (and wallet's) end.

Made the mistake about two weeks ago of sending the husband out to do the heavy lifting for our opening: leaf removal. He has ripped that liner somewhere. The pool is 16x32 inground, and water loss when full is 4 inches per day. Much slower loss now, but there is only 4 inches of water in the shallow end. I can't let it go any lower, so I can't see where it stops leaking. (I called American Leak Detection when it first started, and they are coming out on Thursday.) I had hopes that it would be the light fixture, and I went ahead and replaced the gaskets in and around the light since I had it out, but it just kept right on going. Then I plugged the hole on the main drain to rule out underground pipes. Nope. I have used up a bottle of Phenol Red checking the bottom of the stairs. No dice.

I suspect that the leak is in the shallow end somewhere, but I absolutely cannot find it! I managed to run main drain only and get the water cleaned to its normal glass-like clarity, and I've gone over every single corner around the pool and every square inch of the floor of the shallow end on my hands and knees. Hell, I even went to a local dealer who carries my liner, and he gave me a sample sheet so I could use it to make the patch look better.

At this point, I guess my questions are:

Have I done everything I can do? Any other tricks that haven't already been mentioned on this board?

Could a bunch of pinhole leaks cause this much water loss? Seems unlikely to me, as the liner is only 4 years old, but still...

Does ALD have equipment that will help them find it? We had a leak three years ago in one of the shallow corners, and ALD found it with a pair of goggles and a bottle of dye. I'm pretty sure those tools aren't going to work this time.

Thanks in advance--I've learned an awful lot from you guys over the years, and as always, I really appreciate it!

[Poconos]

Here's a couple threads you may want to read. On my pool 3" a day related to about 1000 gal a day or 3 quarts per minute. Found 3 tiny slits at the deep end where the bottom transitions to the wall.

http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthr...ighlight=ajs-1

http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthr...ighlight=ajs-1

[mhnewcomb]

Well, Poconos, I had almost the same situation. They were holes, two of them, on the slope on the side of the deep end. (I predicted that they would be found in a place where I had gone over and over, and I was right, and I am so MAD!) ALD guy patched them with clear patches--as soon as they turn white I'll cover them with liner pieces.

Bottom line: I need to learn how to snorkel or scuba! (Tried many many times in Florida--my body just will not allow me to inhale when there is water on my face.) I guess I just wasn't close enough to them to see them.

[Poconos]

Did you see the pics and descriptions in one of the above threads about doing a deep end patch from above with a modified paint roller, silicone seal and plastic sheeting?
Al

[mhnewcomb]

Yes! I've subscribed to that thread so that I can fix any future leak (if I can find it) faster. This one wasn't a problem, as the deep end is only 4.5 feet, and the water level was so low.

Actually, I think I will use that method to put liner patches over the clear patches that ALD put down, now that the pool is almost full and held every millimeter of water overnight (YAY!) Those clear patches are already turning white--an excellent development, as I was able to show my husband EXACTLY where he screwed up! haha

Now I have to go out and fix a pump leak before the heat kicks in. I had a local pool company (supposedly very reputable) come out to do a pressure test while I waited for the ALD folks, just to make sure it wasn't underground. Boy, do I rue that decision. That gomer blew the pump lid seal with the test, and in the process, the pipe going from the pump to the multiport valve now has that slow beading and trickle where it exits the pump. What's really annoying is that I had ALWAYS had trouble with that one spot, and the ALD guy fixed it for me three years ago when I had my first liner leak. Ah, well, at least he put a union on there for me, and I know how to fix it myself now, right?

[Jeffski]

We are close to having our pool installed. If I ever have a leak will my pool company come out and fix it?

Not expecting them to do it for free but since they are experts I would hope they could figure out the problem. Let me know if I am wrong.

[mhnewcomb]

We are close to having our pool installed. If I ever have a leak will my pool company come out and fix it?

Not expecting them to do it for free but since they are experts I would hope they could figure out the problem. Let me know if I am wrong.

I suppose it would depend on the company, but I can tell you that around here, they act like you're nuts if you ask them to find a liner leak. I called one of the two really reputable companies here, and they kept insisting that they couldn't guarantee that they'd find anything. When the guy got to the house, he kept saying that he REALLY thought it was the gasket behind the liner at the light fixture--I knew better, but the pool is 10 years old, so I figured a new gasket and him shutting up would be good enough for me, and I would wait for ALD.

The guys from American Leak Detection bring a weight to hold them under, a breathing apparatus, a syringe with yellow dye, and goggles. (Also a wet suit, if the water's cold.) They seem to really know what they're looking for, and can find them in no time.

If you can snorkel or scuba--in other words, if you can make yourself inhale while underwater--you can quickly find your own liner leak in warm water. Sure wish I could do it!

Do a test: call your pool builder and pretend to be an average Joe pool owner who has a liner leak. See what they say. Make sure you explain that the water has leaked down below all fixtures--say there is only 12 inches of water left in the pool. Their response to this will tell you a LOT.

[Jeffski]

That is an excellent idea. Thanks.