AG leak; help!!

[matt4x4]

Many times, holes get into the liner because someone was not careful with removing the steps in the fall - look there FIRST since it sounds like the hole was caused when the pool was closed and not discovered until after closing.
Get the water left in the pool clean by adding some bleach and stirring it around with a broom, the algae should fall out within a couple of days giving you relatively clear water to look around in.
Check at or just above the current water line first (you may have had some evaporation allready) - especially if it's not dropping any more.
You can also add a few inches of water to the pool, this should start the leak going again, so you can look for teh wet spot and narrow down the location.

[SandyDittmer]

I got brave today and went in to try and locate the leak. The water was clean and clear with the help of our Dolphin cleaner. I don't know how I would have gotten it that clean short of completely refilling the pool first so the skimmer and filter would be working. The Dolphin acted as a stand-alone filter, so I didn't have to add much water at all. Just enough so the Dolphin could work properly.

Anyway, after about 15 or 20 minutes of looking (and freezing), I found a hole!!! It was located near the bottom of the cove, about 1" above floor level (on the wall). It is between 1/16" and 1/8" in diameter (a hole, not a cut or rip). When you drip the red dye by the hole, it definitely sucks the dye out. But, now I have a concern. I am so paranoid at this point that I find it hard to believe we could lose that much water over the winter from such a tiny hole. I would estimate we lost about 7,000 gallons of water.

I guess my question is......should I continue looking for more leaks, or do you think that could be the whole problem? I don't plan on refilling and "opening" the pool for our use for about 3 weeks. I need to get the deck cleaned and sealed (an annual project) first. So I thought I would repair the hole, add some chlorine, and put the cover back on for a few more weeks.

What type of patch kit works best? Are there any brands that work better than others? I did do one repair a couple years ago, and it is now ugly and yellow. I would prefer it be blue to match the liner.

Thanks again for all you who gave suggestions. They REALLY helped.

Sandy

[matt4x4]

That's probably it, you would not believe how much water you can lose out of a tiny hole, patch it, fill pool and monitor level, likely something did drop onto the liner and puncture it.

[matt4x4]

Use the clear kits - there are two types - adhesive backed and separate adhesive - I prefer the separate adhesive - thicker patch, better quality - patches are clear - will likely yellow, that's due to glue drying up - simply remove old patch and clean the yellow spot (can be done underwater) and reapply new patch.

[hrsdennis]

I prefer the Boxer brand glue with a 1" circle of an actual liner. The piece cut out for skimmer is perfect for making patches. Some times the pool stores will sell 1' square pieces of vinyl to be used as patches. There is always the excess overhang if the liner is an overlap.

That small of a hole in that location could easily leak that much water.

Best of luck, Dennis

[Poconos]

Yes...I agree with Dennis. Boxer #100 specifically. Available in cans with a dauber...think 8 Oz for about $8 as I recall. It is a slow acting glue unlike most underwater patch kits that attack fast. The Boxer won't curl the patch material and gives you time to place it right. Sandy, since you said it was near the bottom of the cove, I assume the transition from bottom to side, once you do the patch I'd place a piece of plastic sheeting over the patch weighted down with a sandbag and leave it in place for a few days. I used n old pillowcase loaded with sand. The Boxer-100 takes time to do a good bond but it really holds. I researched all this crap a year ago when I had a deep end leak and had to fix it when the water was still in the 50's. Somewhere on this site I have pics of how I did it. If I find it I'll update this post.
Al

Must say I don't have any known association with the Boxer adhesive thing.

[hrsdennis]

My brother in law would put a bowling ball on his patches. I just put the glue on the patch, go under water and carefully place the patch over the hole and then plant my big toe on it. I then come up for air and hold my toe in place for about a minute or two. I have done this hundreds of times with great success.

Dennis