I Think My Hopper Has A Leak

[pmh4514]

I've been dealing with a leaking pool all summer and figured it was some plumbing that needed attention. The pool is about 25yrs old but in good condition otherwise. It is 33'x15', inground, vinyl lined. The liner is 1yr old, as are all return lines. Under the liner there's a metal shell and the rest is all concrete below the liner (not sand). It has a hopper drain, skimmer and 3 returns. I found two small leaks -the sand filter itself (the black plug in the bottom was leaking a bit) and a small crack in the backside of the skimmer. Both leaks cumulatively accounted for about 2 cups of water in a 24hr period.

I do not find water building up between the liner and the concrete/metal shell so I don't think the liner itself has a tear or anything.

I have allowed the water level to drop below the skimmer and all returns. The filtration system is turned completely off, yet in the past 18hrs I have lost close to 750 gallons (literally) It's been losing about 2" or so every 24hrs. I've put some water in a bucket alongside to check for evaporation rate, as the pool does sit in direct southern sunlight, but evaporation is nowhere near what I'm seeing.

We haven't had rain in weeks, and I don't see any wet areas in the lawn around the pool, downgrade from it, in my basement, etc. I cannot figure out where the water is going, but at this point I can only assume it must be leaving through the hopper drain and directly into the ground below the pool.

Anyway.. What are possible solutions if this is the case? I am comfortable with draining it using shopvacs to keep the liner in place.. If I can find/see a crack somewhere right around the drain, can it be patched with something to keep it sealed underwater? The hopper drain really isn't necessary for filtration, can it be sealed off completely? Since the lines from it to the filter go under the pool itself, there really is no way to replace that. Just trying to figure out my options.

thanks!

[ps558]

I've been dealing with a leaking pool all summer and figured it was some plumbing that needed attention. The pool is about 25yrs old but in good condition otherwise. It is 33'x15', inground, vinyl lined. The liner is 1yr old, as are all return lines. Under the liner there's a metal shell and the rest is all concrete below the liner (not sand). It has a hopper drain, skimmer and 3 returns. I found two small leaks -the sand filter itself (the black plug in the bottom was leaking a bit) and a small crack in the backside of the skimmer. Both leaks cumulatively accounted for about 2 cups of water in a 24hr period.

I do not find water building up between the liner and the concrete/metal shell so I don't think the liner itself has a tear or anything.

I have allowed the water level to drop below the skimmer and all returns. The filtration system is turned completely off, yet in the past 18hrs I have lost close to 750 gallons (literally) It's been losing about 2" or so every 24hrs. I've put some water in a bucket alongside to check for evaporation rate, as the pool does sit in direct southern sunlight, but evaporation is nowhere near what I'm seeing.

We haven't had rain in weeks, and I don't see any wet areas in the lawn around the pool, downgrade from it, in my basement, etc. I cannot figure out where the water is going, but at this point I can only assume it must be leaving through the hopper drain and directly into the ground below the pool.

Anyway.. What are possible solutions if this is the case? I am comfortable with draining it using shopvacs to keep the liner in place.. If I can find/see a crack somewhere right around the drain, can it be patched with something to keep it sealed underwater? The hopper drain really isn't necessary for filtration, can it be sealed off completely? Since the lines from it to the filter go under the pool itself, there really is no way to replace that. Just trying to figure out my options.

thanks!

Yes you can plug the drain forever with a rubber plug. They are most of the times a #8 or #9. remove the cover and plug the pipe.

Refill the pool ASAP sun on a liner is not the best

[pmh4514]

Thanks for the reply. Is the drain itself generally not replaceable if in fact there is a crack in it?

[ps558]

Thanks for the reply. Is the drain itself generally not replaceable if in fact there is a crack in it?

they are but not easy task. you would have to dig down to it drain the pool possibily ruin your liner etc etc. lots of money for a drain. The pool will be safer without it, no chance of somebody getting sucked fast

[pmh4514]

I am completely baffled now.. I drained the pool, got down and made sure the drain was good and sealed around the liner, and I plugged up the pipe that leads to the filter with one of those rubber compression stoppers.

I then refilled the pool to below all returns/skimmer and let it sit. It is still losing water..

There are no rips in the liner and water is not pooling up between the liner and the shell.

Is it possible the pressure relief valve in the bottom of the drain is letting water through? It did not appear to be lose or leaking when I was down there working on things.

I saw no visible cracks in the shell of the drain either.

thoughts??