Need input...PLEASE...

[AndieP]

I'm not exactly sure where to put this but I really need some input/advice here. We have a leak....it seems to have gotten worse over the past few days. We are losing ALOT of water with the pump running. Last night we lost 1 1/2 inches in just under 2 hrs. With the pump off we only lost 1/2 inch in 9 hrs.

Anyway, I have called a pool place for leak detection but they can't come until Monday. She said the water needed to be as clear as possible.

My problem is I have been having trouble getting the water to clear....it's cloudy. You can barely seen the bottom drain. I've shocked to 15 ppm two nights ago and have been attempting to keep that level but I'm having to leave the hose in the pool running when the pump is on otherwise in no time the water level has dropped below the skimmer and the pump is sucking air.

Am I fighting a losing battle trying to clear the water by keeping the chlorine level high b/c I'm adding so much new water? Should I keep adding bleach and hope it will at least not get more cloudy? I really don't want to run the pump anymore than I have too b/c the water hose has to be on the entire time it's running and I can only imagine how high my water bill will be.

Numbers I just took
FC 8
CC 0
PH 7.2
TA 70
CYA 20-25 (could still vaguely see the dot at 30 but when I filled to the top of tube it was gone.)

I'm having trouble keeping the numbers right b/c of all the water I am having to add

I really am just not sure what to do....suggestions, anyone?? Thanks!!

Andrea
23,000 IG guinite pool
Sand Filter

[sevver]

Sounds to me like the leak is after the pump, if that is the case I don't know why they would need to have the water clear. I have used leak detection companies before to locate water leaks in water lines, and basically what they do is listen for them. I don't know how they do it with pools though.

[AndieP]

Also am I running a risk with damaging the foundation of the pool since apparently quite a bit of water is being lost underground? Should I just load the pool with bleach and only run the pump enough to circulate it?

[sevver]

Also am I running a risk with damaging the foundation of the pool since apparently quite a bit of water is being lost underground? Should I just load the pool with bleach and only run the pump enough to circulate it?

I would not claim to be an expert, but I doubt it, if the leak is localized to one spot then it is probably just dispersing into the excavation around the pool and getting absorbed into the ground.

I truly have never really looked at many IG plumbing setups, but is it possible to isolate some things? Can you direct all of your water to certain return jets, and maybe figure out which pipe has the leak? I have done this on large watermain systems (like entire subdivisions) in order to isolate the leak. Also, if you have a stethoscope you can "listen" to the decking and you may be able to hear the leak yourself with the pump on. That is what I would do, of course I would also fix it myself too but I am cheap.

[AndieP]

We only have 1 skimmer and 1 return jet. Apparently, there is a main drain but the previous owners kept telling us "there is no main drain." There is a drain but it looks like it has been plugged.

There is about a 6 foot concrete deck all around the pool. I have no idea how the plumbing is done under there.

I am taking care of the pool b/c my husband works long hours and really just doesn't have time to mess with it. I am also taking care of 4 kids (7, 4, and 2 year old twins) so I don't have alot of time to really try to find this leak.
I wish I did and I wish I could do this myself but I am just overwhelmed by it all.

But, I have noticed that there is a PVC pipe sticking out of the ground over by the filter....the backwash pipe leads into it. Anyway, you can look down in the pipe and it intersects with the main sewer line from the house. I can see water constantly dripping down there and at times water is flowing in that pipe. I have no idea if the pool plumbing connects to it underground but it seems like there should not be water dripping/flowing down there if water in the house isn't running. Any thoughts on this?

[brent.roberts]

Is your fill water especially hard ???

If the water is milky cloudy, then your high CL levels could be causing some percipitate to come out of the water, and the fact that you have to keep adding so much, keeps refreshing the supply. Endless circle.
With CC=0 then is seems unlikley that you have an algae problem.

Are you using a granular shock ? ... these have a bit of a reputation to cause milkiness.

[AndieP]

Sorry for the lack of knowledge on my part...but by "fill water being hard" are you referring to high calcium? If so, the answer is no...in fact I have been having a very hard time even keeping my calcium at 200. It is about 150 right now.

I am using bleach only. The water isn't really milky cloudy...just kinda hazy looking. It's hard to describe the water color. Not blue, not green, not milky, The pool is painted white.

It actually looks a bit clearer than it did earlier and the pump has been off for about 3 hrs and I haven't added anymore bleach so I'm sure the chlorine has dropped from 8 due to the sun.

Should I bring the chlorine level up pretty high...maybe 15 or 20 tonight and run the pump just long enough to circulate? Or just add enough to keep it around 5?

[CToon]

Hi Andie ,

Can you see anywhere where the ground looks saturated , or maybe the grass is growing like its getting watered ?

Its not a solution to the problem , but maybe lend a little bit of peace of mind trying to figure it all out.

AS it is now , I would keep the CL up by pouring it in around the perimeter and stir it up a little . Running the pump isnt helping ,but you knew that . I would shut it down myself.

[dawndenise]

I wouldn't lose any sleep over getting the water super clear - for the leak detection people, that is. Perhaps they just want clear water so their technicians don't have to get in a green slimy pool??? Doesn't sound like that's what will happen anyway. I don't think a little cloudiness should bother them.

Good catch on your water loss. You're doing the right thing to call a leak detection company; they'll take care of it on Monday. In the meantime, follow CToon's advice and enjoy your kids.

[brent.roberts]

Hi again

Well it sounds like it's not percipitate. Likely then to be dead algae.

Have you tried the DE trick. Assuming your filter is sand, do a good backwash, the set it on "filter" again and note carefully the pressure. Then add some DE to the skimmer a cup at a time. When the pressure has gone up by 1 PSI, stop adding DE and let it run. Should clear it up over night.

Good luck with the leak.