Finding a leak?

[jenpen400]

I am losing 11/2” a day of water. I have checked the equipment and all is dry. The loss is the same with the pump on or off. I let it drop below the skimmer and return and it still kept going. I put on some goggles and inspected under the ladder, the cove and all of the gopher craters. I then looked at the walls and the rest of the bottom and nothing stands out. I’m going to buy some beets and make a dye. I could really use some suggestions on what to do next.

Thanks again
Jennifer

[matt4x4]

First, do a walkaround, if you have ground cover like gravel or mulch, move it aside a bit - keep looking until you find wet or soft ground against the pool edge, this will help pinpoint the location to some degree, saving you from searching the entire pool from within.
If there is NO soft wet ground near the edge of the pool, the leak may well be more central, but it will again help you locate the leak by at least eliminating the walls and cove area of the pool.

[jenpen400]

Will do. When it cools off some.
Thanks

jennifer

[jenpen400]

I looked all the way around the pool and we must have very good drainage because I can find no evidence of water. We are so dry if any water made it past the pool I would see some bright green grass. We water the front yard with grey water from washing machine and it turns bright geen by morning. This is driving me nuts!

[matt4x4]

That would be the soap - grass loves the nitrates in the soap!!!
OK, I just suggested this elsewhere, walk around in your pool, press the big toe down hard every foot or so, wherever the leak is, you WILL have some softer soil under the liner, this should narrow it down significantly.
You can also dive and use your finger, it's pretty accurate at sensing the difference.

[jenpen400]

I found a soft spot about the size of my heel when I was swimming today. It caved in a little and then felt normal. I will put the goggles on and check it in the morning. I really hope this is the leak. Everybody cross your fingers, I feel like a criminal everyday when I top off the pool as we are on stage one water restrictions and close to stage two.

thanks again
jennifer

[jenpen400]

Found it! Ants have chewed throught the cove and liner. I have eight or nine little holes in a divit on the foam cove. I think I will use one small patch that covers the pin holes in the divit and then a larger patch over the whole area.

Thanks
jennifer

[pool newby]

Jenpen400,

Glad you found the leak. OMG, ants ? Now something else for me to worry about. Curious though, how long have you had your present liner and what gauge thickness is it ? 20, 25, etc?

Hope your repair goes well.

Bob P
pool newby
E Tn.

[jenpen400]

The liner is one year old 20 mil I think. The ants put another hole in the liner about a foot away from the first cluster of holes. We are in a severe draught so they are quite happy with their new water source. They have tunned under the pool. I guess I've got quite a battle patching holes and killing some ants. I won't give up it was 102 yesterday. I have seen too above ground pools blow out in our area. I think thirsty plants and bugs are just doing what they need to survive.

jennifer