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Started By
Message
Is it really okay run a pool pump while all suction or returns are plugged?
Posted on 8/24/14 at 11:38 pm
Posted on 8/24/14 at 11:38 pm
Our pool has been losing around 1 to 1.5 inches of water a day. I turned the pump off for a couple of days and it only lost 1/2 inch, which is normal evaporation action.
I also checked the discharge line to make sure water wasn't going out of that while the pump was on.
I was going to call American Leak Detection in the morning, but I'm wondering if I shouldn't do more troubleshooting myself before forking out the $400.
Which brings me here, to consult the wisdom of the OT. The interwebs suggests plugging return lines and seeing if the pool still loses water, then trying the same thing with the skimmers.
The concept doesn't really make sense to me. Wouldn't pressure build up while the pump was running? Wouldn't a leak still occur in the return line even if the jets are plugged?
Help?
I also checked the discharge line to make sure water wasn't going out of that while the pump was on.
I was going to call American Leak Detection in the morning, but I'm wondering if I shouldn't do more troubleshooting myself before forking out the $400.
Which brings me here, to consult the wisdom of the OT. The interwebs suggests plugging return lines and seeing if the pool still loses water, then trying the same thing with the skimmers.
The concept doesn't really make sense to me. Wouldn't pressure build up while the pump was running? Wouldn't a leak still occur in the return line even if the jets are plugged?
Help?
5
Posted on 8/24/14 at 11:41 pm to BeepNode
That valve you have to switch pump modes has a gasket. Change it. It's commonly called a 6-way valve gasket. It takes about 15 minutes to change it with a screwdriver.
Posted on 8/24/14 at 11:44 pm to BeepNode
Half inch in two days seems like a good bit still. Put some food dye in a syringe and test around the skimmer, and around all the returns. I had American leak do the exact thing at my house not long ago, it's typically the skimmer leaking.
Posted on 8/24/14 at 11:46 pm to Btrtigerfan
quote:
That valve you have to switch pump modes has a gasket. Change it. It's commonly called a 6-way valve gasket. It takes about 15 minutes to change it with a screwdriver.
You really think that could be it even though water isn't coming out of that area and it's not coming out of the discharge/waste-out drain? Where does the water go?
eta: I do have the 6-way. Its a Hayward.
Honestly, it kind of horrifies me to think of where the water is going. Hopefully, there's not a big cavity forming.
This post was edited on 8/24/14 at 11:47 pm
Posted on 8/24/14 at 11:48 pm to BeepNode
You said it leaks most when the pump is running. That's where I would start.
Posted on 8/24/14 at 11:55 pm to Btrtigerfan
quote:
You said it leaks most when the pump is running. That's where I would start.
Isn't that what he's doing?
Seems like a legit question. He wants to start looking for the culprit in his pool pump system but had a question about one of the methods used for isolation. He is concerned about doing further damage to the system by running the pool pump with things plugged on one side.
I'd also look at the skimmer itself, btw.
Posted on 8/25/14 at 12:18 am to Btrtigerfan
quote:
That valve you have to switch pump modes has a gasket. Change it. It's commonly called a 6-way valve gasket. It takes about 15 minutes to change it with a screwdriver.
called a "spider gasket" it's a cheap fix. And not advisable to run your pump with no water moving through it.
Posted on 8/25/14 at 12:25 am to Asgard Device
Oh, I think they just mean to plug the holes and NOT run the pump. That makes more sense. This way it would rule out water running out those pipes via gravity. Apparently I don't have that problem since I didn't lose any water while the pump was off.
I just noticed that there's a plate where the skimmer basket goes and it is a little loose. I think I may go to WalMark and get some dye to do a quick test to see if water is escaping right there when the pump is on.
I am also contemplating turning the bottom drain on and the skimmer off.
I just noticed that there's a plate where the skimmer basket goes and it is a little loose. I think I may go to WalMark and get some dye to do a quick test to see if water is escaping right there when the pump is on.
I am also contemplating turning the bottom drain on and the skimmer off.
Posted on 8/25/14 at 10:55 am to CtotheVrzrbck
quote:
called a "spider gasket" it's a cheap fix. And not advisable to run your pump with no water moving through it.
This. Don't run pump without something passing through it. That is only cooling the seal gets.
If your level drops more with pump on than off your leak is on discharge of pump. Is backwash line piped to a sump or open ditch? Are all discharge joints above ground and visible?
Posted on 8/25/14 at 1:28 pm to Redbone
I had a similar situation last year.
Agree with checking the valve first. Valve is an easy fix.
My problem was a broken drain pipe in one of the skimmers. Oak tree that is about 15 feet from the skimmer had a root that snapped the pipe at an elbow. Yes, at the elbow - just try to break one of those suckers!
Replaced the pipe and corner myself once I was able to dig out the area.
Agree with checking the valve first. Valve is an easy fix.
My problem was a broken drain pipe in one of the skimmers. Oak tree that is about 15 feet from the skimmer had a root that snapped the pipe at an elbow. Yes, at the elbow - just try to break one of those suckers!
Replaced the pipe and corner myself once I was able to dig out the area.
Posted on 8/25/14 at 1:37 pm to BeepNode
Normal evaporation occurs. To test, fill a bucket and leave it out by your pool and see if it looses the same level in a day as the pool without the pump running. I also found that I lost less water running the pump at night when it was cooler.
Posted on 8/25/14 at 1:38 pm to blacykaty
I had a leak a couple of months ago and it ended up being in the seam of the liner. However, that's an easy thing to spot since the liner will start to wrinkle up. Good luck finding the problem though. I still ended up using American Leak Detectors.
Posted on 8/25/14 at 1:51 pm to BeepNode
I had this same problem with my pool last summer.
I plugged each of my lines one at a time to see what was leaking, with the pump running and without. mine happen to be a return line about a foot away from the edge of the pool in a 90.
I made my own leak detector. I used one of my scuba tanks and made a gizmo to attach to the return lines. when I pressured up the one that was leaking, I could hear it gurgling under the cement.
then the fun began
I plugged each of my lines one at a time to see what was leaking, with the pump running and without. mine happen to be a return line about a foot away from the edge of the pool in a 90.
I made my own leak detector. I used one of my scuba tanks and made a gizmo to attach to the return lines. when I pressured up the one that was leaking, I could hear it gurgling under the cement.
then the fun began
Posted on 8/25/14 at 1:58 pm to CurDog
quote:
then the fun began
Details please. This is always my worst nightmare.
Posted on 8/25/14 at 2:00 pm to BeepNode
This is why i love above ground pools
Posted on 8/25/14 at 2:02 pm to Python
quote:
Details please
being a nervous nancy, I did not want to "bust" up the concrete since it was so close to the edge of the pool( my pool has a bunch of tile and what not, that I did not want to break off). so I cut a section of concrete out because I wasn't exactly sure how far back the leak was( I did not quite remember how the plumbing was run)
after that it was fairly easy. just replacing a busted up 90
Posted on 8/25/14 at 2:17 pm to CurDog
Patched up concrete look ok now?
Posted on 8/25/14 at 2:20 pm to Python
quote:
Patched up concrete look ok now?
meh
there is a noticeable difference in the concretes. I am almost tempted to put some type of coating on top of the entire pool deck
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