Can leaves covering bottom valves cause hydrostatic valve to open slightly?

[frayedend]

Thanks for the reply. I made an attempt at getting it to seat by blowing air up through the main drain with my compressor. It didn't work. I was hoping the turbulence would dislodge any debris or get it to seat better. It is draining very very slowly now. I don't think I will be able to do anything until it is low enough to get to. I am just hoping it's still high enough that the liner doesn't float up. It is too cold to jump in or I would be under there trying to fix it.

[waste]

Thanks for the reply. I made an attempt at getting it to seat by blowing air up through the main drain with my compressor. It didn't work. I was hoping the turbulence would dislodge any debris or get it to seat better. It is draining very very slowly now. I don't think I will be able to do anything until it is low enough to get to. I am just hoping it's still high enough that the liner doesn't float up. It is too cold to jump in or I would be under there trying to fix it.

A couple points of clarification :

1)The MD plumbing is attached to the side of the unit and the hydrostat is in the bottom. Therefore, blowing air through the piping is VERY unlikely to correct a hydrostat problem.

2)As long as the stat is opening, it's Very unlikely that the liner will float, if more water gets under the pool, the hydrostat will let it in the pool until the pool level equalizes with the ground water. This may delay your entering the pool to fix the hydrostat, but the liner ought not float. (I suppose a flash flood could overcome the valve's ability to equalize the pool/ ground water).

When you do get down to the drain, remove the cover and you'll see the hydrostat sticking up from the bottom of the drain pot. Pull the top plate of the stat all the way up, and let the spring pull it back down, a couple of times - this should clear debris from the o-ring and sealing surface.

Before you start refilling the pool, dye test the hydrostat (and, if it passes), re-secure the MD grate.

You seem to misunderstand hydrostats, what they do and how they work - if you fire up a new thread on that subject, I'm sure a few folks will answer (I'm a little pressed for time on tax day)

[frayedend]

I think I understand the hydrostat pretty well. I was really grasping at straws with blowing air through the line. The hydrostatic valve is under the same cover as one of the main drains so I just hoped the bubbling might dislodge something. No such luck. I also just couldn't bring myself to believe that debris was causing my issue since it only started leaking when I started the pool pump.

Alas I was able to correct the problem. I had to go in the pool at 48 degrees. I didn't think I'd make it. It was cold! It took my breath away for a minute and then I got as used to it as you can get I suppose. 4 or 5 dives down and I got the cover off. Found one tiny little leaf, like a blade of grass thin. Took it out and flipped the valve a few times.

Then I waited a day and checked the level, no water loss. I am now full and clear. THanks for all the tips guys. Sorry I didn't update sooner.

[waste]

Thanks for the update!

I hope you know that I meant no offense- it's just hard to judge someone's knowledge level from a few sentences posted on-line.

If the leaves on the grate had any impact on your issue, they made a mat - which stopped the water from getting to the leak... until the pump turned on and dislodged them.


I'm glad your issue has been solved, and sorry to hear you had to brave 48* water to do so!

I hope this is your only problem this year (or ever) but, if you find yourself needing our help - you know where to find us!

[PatG25]

Just wanted to add my experience last year to this thread. Yes, leaves and other "stuff" in the pool can definitely cause the hydrostatic valve to not close properly. I had the pool company open my pool last year. They did it on a Friday on a weekend when the family and I were out of town. We came back Sunday late afternoon and the pool was almost empty. Same problem, leaves got into the valve and it wouldn't close properly. I lost 12,000 gallons of water (22,000 gallon pool). Also my first year of owning an in-ground pool and had no idea this could happen. I have a gunite pool, so one of my option is to permanently close the valve. Since there is always water in the pool there shouldn't be a problem with the pool ever popping up out of the ground.

I haven't opened the pool this year yet, but I will monitor the water level very carefully once the pumps go on!!