Higgs

It is a vinyl liner. I am assuming the water went behind the wall somehow and then "leaked/broke" through the plaster. I find that pretty hard to believe that it can break through the plaster. Is that normal? My pool builder thinks it is either where the water can come into the auto cover lid and leak down (not likely since I pump always) or our sprinklers system somehow washing the water into the ground and then that "eating" away at the plaster? It sounds absurd to me but that is a builder for you - looking for excuses...

I just went through this - same deal with concrete burying the pipes. I hired a leak detection agency and they pressure tested the pipes, etc. It was pricey ($400) but I needed to know because of the same issue you have (pulling up concrete). I think it worth the peace of mind but I am sure there are ways you can do it yourself for less..

I have a new pool. We have had a leak and couldn't find it. We hired American Leak Detection and they came out and tested everything. Apparently, there were tears in the vinyl behind the light so the pool contractor "fixed it". We still have the leak. I am not really worried about finding it and fixing it but I noticed that when I push on particular parts of the pool (sides at top) that it feels like the plaster has dissolved (really mushy). I want to know if anyone else has experienced cracking (plaster) or have seen where the walls are eroding a bit (just at top of liner). Can that possibly be "normal" or do I have to take the liner out and re-plaster? Thanks

Maybe I still have some lingering clog in the filter. I read the manual for the Triton 2 Sand Filter but it doesn't really say what "vacuum to waste" does. I have it as an option on my multi-port valve coming off of the filter...

Thanks for the responses. I have a Pentair Triton 2 TR 140 sand filter. I am using an Intelliflo 3 hp pump. I did have quite a bit of dirt I was picking up so that makes sense that I would need to backflush more often. It still runs high 20's for "normal" psi. Only problems I am having now is that my suction seems to lose prime after about 20 minutes of cleaning. Once I backwash it runs great again for about the same amount of time. Strange thing is that the backwash really isn't getting rid of "dirty" water. Again, it seems like I am backwashing clean water but it pulls (prime) great right after I do so. The sand was put in Dec 08 and again this is the first time using it ever...

Thanks! I actually got it working. I had a crack in the valve and it was letting in some air.

Thanks for the reply. I actually got it working ok but it seems to clog really fast when I vacuum. I have about 10 minutes worth of vacuuming after the filter is backwashed. I opened up the filter and it looks pretty clean (could see the sand). When I backwash I really don't have a lot of dirt so I am wondering if the filter is really working properly...?

New pool. I lose suction quickly when I try to vacuum from the skimmer. After I backwash I am able to get about 5 minutes of decent pull to vacuum and then the returns (have 2) just go to nothing and it doesn't suck anymore. I was told that if I turn off one of the skimmers then the other one will have more power in order to vacuum but shutting off one of the skimmer valves only causes me to lose pressure. Either way, I backwashed 4 times yesterday and makes me nervous that I am going to lessen the effectiveness of the sand filter (Pentair Triton 2). The filter is brand new so should I just keep backwashing and hope it works? Also, my pressure is about 25 psi normal (I think normal) and then it goes to 30 psi in a few minutes. Again, backwashing seems to clear it up for a few minutes but I can only vacuum for a short time before I need to backwash again. help...

I have a new pool (20x50) and never have been in it. I winterized it and then just started it up. Skimmers took forever to pull but my main line doesn't pull at all - only air and no water. When I have my other skimmers (2) running and turn on the main line all the water goes out of the pump and it just sucks air. I probably have a main line crack? Any other possibilities? Could it somehow be clogged? It has a cover so it was totally clean when I tried.