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Started By
Message
Typical evaporation rates for pools-update
Posted on 6/3/19 at 5:33 pm
Posted on 6/3/19 at 5:33 pm
Just closed on a house with a pool and I am now trying to figure this out as I go. I plan on hiring someone for at least the first few months to help me learn the equipment. Until then....trying to figure out if I have a leak or water is evaporating faster then I think.
How much water are people adding and how often if you don’t have auto fill?
Update: I have a pro coming out next week to take a look. I haven’t been able to do much tracking with the rain but I have figured out the pool controller was set to service and the filter pump was running 24-7. Now whenever the filter pump shuts off the hot tub drains down super low (below the seats). I have been told this is likely a bad check valve so I am hoping it is an easy fix.
Update 7/1: The first pro we had out suggested we quit adding water and watch it until it quits falling to isolate the leak. 3 weeks later with water below the pool light and still falling we decided to take the next step and called American Leak Detection. They came out and did a full inspection. While their call out fee seemed high we found it worth it to get a complete review of the entire system. We found it worth the price when they provided a detailed report within a couple of hours of inspection and labeled all of the valves/piping and equipment around the pumps.
It looks like there were a couple of small cracks in the skimmer (which we were aware of) that they were able to epoxy. They also found some cracks/leaks around the spillover from the spa into the pool. These repairs are outside their scope so we are working on getting estimates now. So far it looks like the water level stays stable as long as the spa is not full.
They also suggested replacing all check valves and it looks like that will solve the issue of the spa draining when the pump stops.
They also pressure tested all lines and found them to be sound.
How much water are people adding and how often if you don’t have auto fill?
Update: I have a pro coming out next week to take a look. I haven’t been able to do much tracking with the rain but I have figured out the pool controller was set to service and the filter pump was running 24-7. Now whenever the filter pump shuts off the hot tub drains down super low (below the seats). I have been told this is likely a bad check valve so I am hoping it is an easy fix.
Update 7/1: The first pro we had out suggested we quit adding water and watch it until it quits falling to isolate the leak. 3 weeks later with water below the pool light and still falling we decided to take the next step and called American Leak Detection. They came out and did a full inspection. While their call out fee seemed high we found it worth it to get a complete review of the entire system. We found it worth the price when they provided a detailed report within a couple of hours of inspection and labeled all of the valves/piping and equipment around the pumps.
It looks like there were a couple of small cracks in the skimmer (which we were aware of) that they were able to epoxy. They also found some cracks/leaks around the spillover from the spa into the pool. These repairs are outside their scope so we are working on getting estimates now. So far it looks like the water level stays stable as long as the spa is not full.
They also suggested replacing all check valves and it looks like that will solve the issue of the spa draining when the pump stops.
They also pressure tested all lines and found them to be sound.
This post was edited on 7/1/19 at 4:02 pm
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Posted on 6/3/19 at 5:46 pm to Whatafrekinchessiebr
Check around the pool steps for hairline cracks if they are fiberglass. Unless you have a bunch of kids over splashing all the water out it shouldn't drop more than 1/2" a month.
Posted on 6/3/19 at 6:33 pm to CAD703X
quote:
1/2" a month
Oh shite, I lost between 3.5-3.75” in 24hrs.
Gunite sport pool, 15x30’ + spa.
This post was edited on 6/3/19 at 6:35 pm
Posted on 6/3/19 at 6:35 pm to Whatafrekinchessiebr
Yeah, that’s not normal at all.
Posted on 6/3/19 at 6:54 pm to Whatafrekinchessiebr
You’ve got a cracked pipe somewhere. I would look around landscape to see standing water.
Posted on 6/3/19 at 7:03 pm to Whatafrekinchessiebr
Sounds like the sellers might have known that was an issue, they didn’t disclose that to you?
Posted on 6/3/19 at 7:25 pm to wickowick
quote:
Sounds like the sellers might have known that was an issue, they didn’t disclose that to you?
Nope, and we specifically asked because the pool is on the edge of a hill and we were worried about a wet spot on the bottom of the hill. They said it was from overwatering some new sod.
Posted on 6/3/19 at 7:43 pm to Chocolate Jesus
The spa looks like it is holding water at a constant rate. Would this be an indication the pool itself may be leaking?
Posted on 6/3/19 at 7:58 pm to Whatafrekinchessiebr
Yep, if spa doesn’t change level it’s not the source. Turn off sprinklers for a few days and follow the wet spot. There are several ways to find the leak but you will be better off hiring someone as it could be a great number of things causing the water loss
Posted on 6/3/19 at 8:09 pm to Whatafrekinchessiebr
You didn’t get a pool inspection?
Posted on 6/3/19 at 8:12 pm to Whatafrekinchessiebr
Is the pool on? Meaning is the circulation going from hot tub and flows into pool, or has it been off?
Posted on 6/3/19 at 8:47 pm to VABuckeye
quote:
You didn’t get a pool inspection?
We did, and every inspector I talked to said they only provide a basic inspection of the visual components of the pool. They look over pumps/filters/exposed piping for leaks and give a basic overview of the pools condition.
We were told that the only way to know 100% whether the pool was leaking would require a specialized leak detection company that would have to perform destructive testing (digging up) pool piping and underground piping.
We chose to continue negotiations in good faith based on the visual inspection from the pool inspector and the homeowners word that they were not aware of any leaks.
This post was edited on 6/3/19 at 8:48 pm
Posted on 6/3/19 at 8:50 pm to Whatafrekinchessiebr
Check the multi-port valve. Those mofos leak. Gasket gets out of place when you operate the valve and allows water to bypass to drain.
Check to see if drain is flowing.
Place a bucket on the top step and fill it with water to match the pool water level. If the pool drops faster than the bucket, you have a leak.
I can lose 2-3 inches in a month, but I have a leak.
Check to see if drain is flowing.
Place a bucket on the top step and fill it with water to match the pool water level. If the pool drops faster than the bucket, you have a leak.
I can lose 2-3 inches in a month, but I have a leak.
Posted on 6/3/19 at 9:00 pm to Whatafrekinchessiebr
get some colored dye in a soda bottle and weight it to the bottom right at the drain area and slowly remove the cap and ease away not to disperse it.
then watch as it seeps out slowly and see if it flows into the drain. with a leak like that you should be able to detect if its flowing into the drain and if it is you know where to look
if this doesnt work then call in professionals to remedy it
then watch as it seeps out slowly and see if it flows into the drain. with a leak like that you should be able to detect if its flowing into the drain and if it is you know where to look
if this doesnt work then call in professionals to remedy it
Posted on 6/3/19 at 9:02 pm to Chocolate Jesus
quote:
Is the pool on? Meaning is the circulation going from hot tub and flows into pool, or has it been off?
Pretty sure it’s been on because the pump is running. Really have no idea though, I took a couple of pictures of all the equipment and I am starting to do some research on Troublefreepools.
The water in the spa looks is circulating like the water around a bathtub drain but the level stays the same. It does have a overflow into the pool that I noticed was only trickling but picked up flow after adding water to the pool.
Does the water from the pool feed the spa?
Posted on 6/3/19 at 9:20 pm to Whatafrekinchessiebr
Op, my experience is helping my dad with a shite ton of leaks. It could be nothing and an easy fix it could be a pita.
First off, how many days in a row are you losing this much? If multiple and it’s about the same, you have a constant.
Once this happens for 2-3 straight days. Turn your pumps off. If it continues, it’s in your pool. As said, likely around some type of feature like stairs, a light, etc. You take die and see if you can find where it flows. PITA, lol.
Or you likely have a cracked pipe, loose connection, etc. that is likely underground.
First off, how many days in a row are you losing this much? If multiple and it’s about the same, you have a constant.
Once this happens for 2-3 straight days. Turn your pumps off. If it continues, it’s in your pool. As said, likely around some type of feature like stairs, a light, etc. You take die and see if you can find where it flows. PITA, lol.
Or you likely have a cracked pipe, loose connection, etc. that is likely underground.
Posted on 6/3/19 at 9:31 pm to Whatafrekinchessiebr
quote:
We were told that the only way to know 100% whether the pool was leaking would require a specialized leak detection company
They don’t have to dig. American Leak Detection uses a sound device to find underground leaks so you know where to dig. You can also make your own leak detector with a five foot 2 inch pvc pipe and a stethoscope, but for now, call the pros.
The water loss you have is way out of line. I haven’t had to add water so far this year except after vacuuming.
Posted on 6/3/19 at 11:55 pm to Whatafrekinchessiebr
Do the bucket test.
Put bucket on step in the pool and add water so its level in both the bucket and pool. Check it in 24 hrs. Evaporation will occur at the same rate in the bucket and pool.
Put bucket on step in the pool and add water so its level in both the bucket and pool. Check it in 24 hrs. Evaporation will occur at the same rate in the bucket and pool.
Posted on 6/4/19 at 12:06 am to CAD703X
quote:
Check around the pool steps for hairline cracks if they are fiberglass. Unless you have a bunch of kids over splashing all the water out it shouldn't drop more than 1/2" a month.
do not listen to this person
Normal evaporation is between 1/4 to 1/2 inch per day.
How much water you have to add/release is rain dependent and an entirely different story.
Posted on 6/4/19 at 12:24 am to cave canem
If the pool is losing water when the pump is running, I'd recommend checking your waste line and see if you have water leaking out that pipe while the pump is running. A lot of times this is the culprit. If so, it's an easy fix...9 times out of 10 it's the spider gasket inside the multiport valve that needs to be replaced. I've had this same exact problem before and this was the culprit. It's really easy to diagnose because water will be coming out of the waste line when the port handle is set to filter. Mine was losing a couple of inches of water a day.
This post was edited on 6/4/19 at 12:25 am
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