Freaking pools (leak?)

[badluck]

So we had this pool put in back in 05ish. Been a pia since 2009ish. Parts replacement no big deal just money. However I am continually chasing leaks. Skimmer separated from the pool. Then cracked skimmer bucket that I seem to patch every 2-3 yrs. Well now I’ve got a leak I can’t find. The leak is definitely lower than the skimmer where it attaches to the side of the pool. It seems to leak out to about 1-2” below the skimmers. Then the raised hot tub drains way down. I’m starting to think it could be a pipe/drain leak from the bottom of the hot tub. What do you guys think. It’s definitely not evaporation. All the other times the skimmer gave me issues the hot tub never dropped. This is new. Thoughts?

 

[Mandelon]

My old pool does this too. Pretty much at the same level. An inch below the skimmer. The level does not coincide with any other penetrations. The light is below the water line, the return lines well below the water line. I am assuming the skimmer has leak at that level. I plan to sawcut and hammer out the concrete slab around the skimmer and do a better job of attaching it to the pool.

We have a deck mounted electric cover. So I put in some chlorine every couple of weeks and just leave it covered until the end of the cold season.

 

[lbhsbz]

Seems like you have some badluck

 

[badluck]

The raised hot tub draining down is weird. I think I’ll start by draining the hot tub and plugging the the drains then refill to eliminate the tub. My fear is a line under the pool or under the dirt is broken

 

[badluck]

I’m fine replacing the skimmer although I won’t be able to match the concrete. I’ll patch it with stone that matches the bands

 

[Sawtooth]

With the elevated spa there will be a spring check valve somewhere near the equipment. It’s purpose is to prevent exactly what is happening, spa backflowing to the pool level. Depending on brand the spring check will either have a top that screws on or is held on with SS screws. The internal rubber seal has gone bad, but this doesn’t account for the pool water level dropping, could just be coincidental timing but there is definitely a leak. Hope you can pin point it without to much destruction.

 

[GRADS]

The hot tub draining down could be something simple like a bad check valve. They do go bad over time. I would start with that.

You need to completely isolate the spa from the pool and then watch the water loss.

 

[Mr. C]

As said. Check the spring check valve. It should have the clear top.
Or rings on 3 way valves. Just went through this.
Also double check the pump o rings and make they are sealed good.
And then I have used this years back when I got frustrated and couldn’t a small leak. Not sure if it’s really recommended by the pool gurus but it worked.
you get handled

 

[badluck]

With the elevated spa there will be a spring check valve somewhere near the equipment. It’s purpose is to prevent exactly what is happening, spa backflowing to the pool level. Depending on brand the spring check will either have a top that screws on or is held on with SS screws. The internal rubber seal has gone bad, but this doesn’t account for the pool water level dropping, could just be coincidental timing but there is definitely a leak. Hope you can pin point it without to much destruction.

I was actually looking at the level of the hot tub and it is higher than the suction line at the equipment. The valve is a jandy valve and yes at 20 yrs old it’s probably leaking back into the empty strainer at the pool pump finding its water level/column. Hopefully that’s the case. Hopefully it’s just the skimmer that’s leaking

 

[JB in so cal]

Leave everything off for few days and check levels

 

[badluck]

I think I’ll fill the hot tub and pull the top of the jandy valve to see the elevation and replace the seal on it. I’m guessing I have a replacement laying around. Then I can totally isolate the 2.

 

[badluck]

Leave everything off for few days and check levels

It’s been off for a few days. It might be my imagination but it seems to leak faster when it’s running.

 

[Mr. C]

It’s been off for a few days. It might be my imagination but it seems to leak faster when it’s running.

With the wind and the like and your spillover it will evaporate faster when running then not running. Jmho.

 

[Orange Juice]

So we had this pool put in back in 05ish. Been a pia since 2009ish. Parts replacement no big deal just money. However I am continually chasing leaks. Skimmer separated from the pool. Then cracked skimmer bucket that I seem to patch every 2-3 yrs. Well now I’ve got a leak I can’t find. The leak is definitely lower than the skimmer where it attaches to the side of the pool. It seems to leak out to about 1-2” below the skimmers. Then the raised hot tub drains way down. I’m starting to think it could be a pipe/drain leak from the bottom of the hot tub. What do you guys think. It’s definitely not evaporation. All the other times the skimmer gave me issues the hot tub never dropped. This is new. Thoughts? View attachment 1458567

Was this pool resurfaced?

 

[AQUA-HOLICS]

Just watched this company use their high tech tools to pinpoint a water leak, then later repaired the leak from the fitting coming

off the back side of the auto fill.

 

[Melloyellovector]

quickest way to see its check valve is spa drops down to match pool water level and magically stops.

if doing your self
fill Both bodies
turn valves to spa mode
turn off equipment

if spa does not drop then 99% chance it’s check valve, very common and easy repair
if it does drop then replace 3 way valve internals also easy

skimmer leak, cracks, repairs. You mention you fixed then bucket started leaking. So I assume you just put a bandaid on it. Not “fixed it” Skimmer if leaking ever, need to remove and replace. And tie new rebar into structure and pour back high strength concrete. This reconnects the bond between the 2 structures and makes them 1 again. A leaking or cracked skimmer, only happens from losing its bond to the pool structure.

if you don’t want to chase to figure out, hire leak detection. They charge 350-550 to locate leak. Then you decide who fixes and price or do your self. But judging by the “skimmer fix” sounds like you may need help

 

[badluck]

Skimmer was a bandaid. The pool company fucked me on that as they said it was not a warranty. Swan pools is trash

 

[DLC]

I thought I had a leak at the Skimmer…..

Turns out

It was the light socket …. Hire a pool leak detection guy. He will find it!

Or
get in the pool, keep the water as calm as possible, use some red dye ( food coloring) and a syringe and squirt it around every side wall penetration …. If it’s leaking it will pull the red dye towards the leak, need a mask/ snorkel to watch

 

[THE WIDGE]

As said. Check the spring check valve. It should have the clear top.
Or rings on 3 way valves. Just went through this.
Also double check the pump o rings and make they are sealed good.
And then I have used this years back when I got frustrated and couldn’t a small leak. Not sure if it’s really recommended by the pool gurus but it worked.
you get handled View attachment 1458578

X2 spring check valve. My raised spa drained several inches each night. Changes out that clear check valve, problem solved

 

[Raffit78]

I had a light fixture that leaked, I spent thousands with 3 leak detection companies and they went scuba diving, pressurized lines, replaced skimmer twice (second professional said the first professional did it wrong). 2nd “professional” said palm tree roots broke plumbing around the pool, he cut up the concrete, allegedly replaced pipes. Leak never changed. 3rd professional said the jacuzzi pipes were leaking, he allegedly replaced pipes $15,000 later, nothing changed. 3” drop every night. 4 months of this.


Then a friend came by while drinking beers, said, man you should get the new led lights that change colors, kids love it and who knows, maybe your fixture is leaking. It sure was. Fixed the leak.

 

[Melloyellovector]

Skimmer was a bandaid. The pool company fucked me on that as they said it was not a warranty. Swan pools is trash

Skimmers even though they are tied into the structure, they are actually part of the plumbing ( limited warranty by all builders )
Swan OC usually does good work
Swan rancho or Ontario is/or was a hack and shady af

 

[badluck]

Skimmers even though they are tied into the structure, they are actually part of the plumbing ( limited warranty by all builders )
Swan OC usually does good work
Swan rancho or Ontario is/or was a hack and shady af

Skimmer leaked around yr 1. Their fix was 2part epoxy. They didn’t follow the rebar schedule and got called by the inspector. Almost every pipe at the equipment pad was not level or plumb. The mortar joints on the stone around the pool were falling apart by yr 4/5. So yeah they sucked and I’m pretty sure they’re not around anymore.

 

[badluck]

I had a light fixture that leaked, I spent thousands with 3 leak detection companies and they went scuba diving, pressurized lines, replaced skimmer twice (second professional said the first professional did it wrong). 2nd “professional” said palm tree roots broke plumbing around the pool, he cut up the concrete, allegedly replaced pipes. Leak never changed. 3rd professional said the jacuzzi pipes were leaking, he allegedly replaced pipes $15,000 later, nothing changed. 3” drop every night. 4 months of this.


Then a friend came by while drinking beers, said, man you should get the new led lights that change colors, kids love it and who knows, maybe your fixture is leaking. It sure was. Fixed the leak.

I don’t believe it’s a light fixture as the pool stops leaking about 2” from the bottom of the tile. However the lights all need to be replaced.

 

[Dunerking]

With the elevated spa there will be a spring check valve somewhere near the equipment. It’s purpose is to prevent exactly what is happening, spa backflowing to the pool level. Depending on brand the spring check will either have a top that screws on or is held on with SS screws. The internal rubber seal has gone bad, but this doesn’t account for the pool water level dropping, could just be coincidental timing but there is definitely a leak. Hope you can pin point it without to much destruction.

I’ve had a to replace these valves a few times. Easy fix

 

[parker ed]

Give us a call.

 

[Andy B.]

Speaking of leaks.
I hope yours get resolved cheap and quick.

 

[X Hoser]

Had similar problems with my pool. Raised Spa drains back into pool and leaks. You should be able to isolate the Spa, I could on mine. It draining back into the pool was a faulty check valve as mention a couple of times above. I also noticed a crack in the bottom of the pool and thought it was the culprit for the pool leaking down. Had a Leak Detection Company come out. About $500. The crack was not leaking at this time. (Had a previous leak that a crack was where the leak was. They fixed it with epoxy and never had another problem with it). Although the Leak Detection Company checked and confirmed this crack was not leaking, they found several other areas that were leaking. Most were around the coping, (Rock like yours), and around the skimmer. They also found that the drain valve out of the bottom of the filter was was leaking. (Not closing all of the way). It was plumbed into a plastic pipe so it was not obvious at the filter. They gave an estimate of $4500 to fix. I bought a 2 part epoxy that self mixes through the applicator and a dye test kit with syringe and fixed myself for about $150., if I recall correctly. The test kit was invaluable as I could keep an eye on the repairs and the crack. Never had another problem.

We were on a hillside so the pool seemed to always be “moving”. Even with retaining walls and tons of steel. The first crack that I had repaired with epoxy they called a “hinge” crack. Even though the second crack was not leaking, they wanted to repair it by cutting a foot wide section out and using “staples” to fix. I decided to wait until if/when it was actually leaking.

Good luck! IMO Pools are a necessity in So Cal. But they are a PITA!

 

[badluck]

I’ll have to pick up a skimmer and do the dreaded replacement here. What’s the best way to attach it to the pool? Where’s the best place to purchase the skimmer?

 

[Melloyellovector]

I’ll have to pick up a skimmer and do the dreaded replacement here. What’s the best way to attach it to the pool? Where’s the best place to purchase the skimmer?

Are you understanding this assignment? It’s not exactly simple task. Lol

pool you need to drain down about 3 ft
saw cut concrete 2 x 2 area around lid, or from band to other side of lid all the way back of deck to create the new stone band after skimmer work done.
put Sponge down inside main drain and suction line before starting demo, so no debris goes into the lines that will be very difficult to remove later.
jack hammer 2x2x 3ft down in solid shotcrete / gunite to below pipe connections under the skimmer
clean all of that up
the outside shell of pool structure is now exposed
now drill 6 holes at slight angle into the shell 4in deep, can go deeper if you at more of an angle so you don’t penetrate inside of the pool
Holes are 2 under skimmer that bend under skimmer and go up the back 2 up top of skimmer and do U around top, 2 mid skimmer and do U around mid, and the 2 from bottom under skimmer tie into the 2 U bars up top. These all must be epoxy in.
Then expose the pipe for clean connection, extend pipes up and set at same exact elevation as old skimmer
once glue has cured and rebar is in and all clean
re pour high strength concrete back into hole making sure no voids, if you don’t have concrete vibrator a sawzall with no blade in it touching metal end to plastic body of skimmer will vibrate enough to get coverage , stop the pour just shy of grade elevation
let cure over night
Next paper or soil over the cured repair before doing deck repair, and set skimmer lid to finish deck elevation. Once that’s all done, if doing stone band. Pour back your deck for stone base, after cured, now set stone, once cured ok to grout
and don’t forget inside throat of skimmer where tile connects to body. Best while water is still down use cement all and fill that void and smooth out and then set and grout tile back

keep in mind if this is plaster pool you can’t leave water level down more then couple days or chance leaving permanent stain in finish, if pebble pool your ok with maybe a week lowered down. Also careful not to spill any cement materials into pool. Stains and or chunks that can attach and cure under water that can take a chisel to remove and for sure leave marks

Any pool store can get you a skimmer, likely may even have in stock. That’s the easy part