Detect a pool leak
Posted by poolguru in Trouble shooting guides on April 22, 2009
| If you suspect your pool is leaking, there are several reliable ways to check. Try one of these approaches: | |
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Use a pencil ( dont use a permanent mark on the skimmer or liner) to mark the water level of the pool at the skimmer. Check the mark 24 hours later. Your pool should lose no more than 5-7 mm per day. Otherwise, a leak is indicated.
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The bucket test: Place a bucket filled with pool water on a pool step (weight it with a rock or brick). Mark the water level on both the inside and the outside of the bucket. The starting point levels should be about the same. Check the mark 24 hours later. If there’s a greater drop in the line on the outside of the bucket, a leak in the pool is indicated.
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| Here are clues that might be an indication of a pool leak: | |
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Algae or other persistent water quality problems indicating imbalances in the chemistry can occur when a leak prevents the water level from staying constant.
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Loose tiles or cracks in the pool deck. |
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Cracks and gaps in the bond beam. |
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Water-saturated soils in the area around the pool, pool pumps or plumbing.
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| Determining the exact location of a leak | |
| If you determine that your pool is losing water, turn off the filtration system and note where the water stops dropping. | |
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If the water stops at the skimmer, the leak is probably in the filtration system. The lines may crack at vulnerable elbows and fittings that are under stress from shifting soils.
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If the water stops at the light, the leak is probably there.
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If the water drops below the light, then there may be a leak in the drain at the bottom the pool.
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| If you suspect you have a leak in the filtration system these clues may help you pinpoint the location: | |
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If you see bubbles in the return water when the pool’s pump is running, it’s likely there’s a leak in the suction side of the filtration system.
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If the pool is losing more water while running the pump, then water is being lost on the return side of the system.
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| Above are some very generals ways of detecting a leak. If you would like further advice then please contact us. | |
Swimming pool trouble shooting guide
Posted by poolguru in Trouble shooting guides on April 19, 2009
| Below i have created a small troubleshooting chart you may find useful. I am working on a version you can download and print and out up in your plantroom. | |||||
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PROBLEM
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POSSIBLE CAUSE
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CHECK/REMEDY
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| Algae Growth. |
Sanitiser low/sunlight dissipating sanitiser. High pH reducing sanitiser affectiveness. |
Ensure sanitiser/cyanuric acid levels are adequate throughout the pool. Reduce pH to recommended range of 7.2-7.6. |
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| Calcium to high/ scale formation. | Build-up of calcium salts. | If if mains water has a lower calcium level, dilute the pool.
Add a monthly dose of stain and scale inhibitor. |
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Calcium Hardness to low/pool grouting soft or eroding.
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Soft mains water supply. | Increase calcium hardness level to a minimum of 200ppm. | |||
| Cloudy Water. | Build up of swimmer polution. Inadequate sanitiser levels. Cyanuric acid too high. Ineffective filtration. Water not `balanced` correctly. |
Check sanitiser levels and if necessary shock dose the pool. Dilute to reduce cyanuric acid levels. |
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| Chlorine level low/difficult to maintain. | lack of sanitiser/cyanuric acid. High bather load/prolonged hot weather |
Increase sanitiser dose and if necessary adjust cyanuric acid levels. More frequent shock dosing may be required. |
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| Chlorine reading zero using test kit despite chemical additions. | Chlorine level maybe to high, bleaching test reagents. Chlorine demand (very high build up of pollutants) |
Allow sanitiser level to drop naturally, lower using chlorine reducer or dilute by partially draining and refilling. Continue to shock dose water if over chlorination is not the cause. |
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| Chlorine level is to high | Over chlorination. | Allow sanitiser level to drop naturally, lower using chlorine reducer or dilute by partially draining and refilling. | |||
| Green Staining | Copper in pool water precipitating. | Test copper level. Check water balance and adjust if necessary. Add an initial dose of stain and scale inhibitor. For sand filters, also use aqua sparkle tabs or flock fix cartridges to aid with copper removal. |
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| pH level high. |
High pH of mains water.
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Regular doses of pH minus are required. Add pH minus to reduce the level. |
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| Scale forming on pool surfaces | Water out of balance. | Check water balance and adjust if necessary. Add a monthly does of stain and scale inhibitor. |
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