Dan Russell

Pool is Vinyl lined, inground, about 18000 gal, about 6' deep. It loses only about 1/8th"/day to evap with cover on, but about 1/2 to 3/4 additional per leak(s). Leakage occurs even when not circulating the water. When circulating, there is not problem with air bubbles. (I do lose my prime when circ is off, and I suspect that is due to a slight leak in the pump that spurts between pump gasket upon start up.) I lowered water level to below scupper, and leak was still same. I then lowered water level to about 1/2" below all jets and lights. Then puzzle started: I lost 1/2 inch first 28 hours. Now on second day, I have lost only about 1/8" in 14 hours. I figured after 1/2" disappeared during first day after water was put below lights & jets, that the leak(s) must not be from lights/jets, but from the bottom suction outlet (and/or piping from it) and/or vinyl liner holes. BUT, now I have what appears only to be close to the evaporation amount of loss. I cannot figure out why I would lose so almost the entire leakage amount the first 28 hours, and then almost nothing the next 14 hours. It now appears to me that I probably do have leaks in the lights and/jets, so I figure they are going to have to be reseated or replaced. I'm not sure what that involves. (??) I don't know what to make if the bottom suction outlet area since the additional leakage appears to have abated there after the first 28 hrs. I'm uncomfortable leaving my water level down as then pool is vinyl and the water table outside is probably pretty high with it being winter here in Oregon. I'm not sure if the danger is from that pressure damaging my pool's foundation or if it is just the liner shringage potential. I still have 22" of water in the shallow end and about 4ft in the deep. Thanks in advance for your feedback.