YardCat Posted September 8, 2008 Report Share Posted September 8, 2008 Gunite pool 5-6 yrs/old. Pool is losing water 2-3 inches/day - filter NOT running. I've been adding water daily and trying to find the problem. Finally, I decided to let it drop until it stops. Well, it isn't stopping. It's below the light and still falling. I realize it has to be the main drain(s) because there's nothing left that could cause that much water loss so quickly. Last night, I put a piece of wax paper over them and weighted it down with upside down plates. I'll check it when I get home from work today. This all started after I vacuumed-to-waste about 3 weeks ago. I'm trying to take care of this myself. I'm a do-it-yourself lady, but I've gone as far as I know how on this. Helpful advice on what to do next will be extremely appreciated ~ YardCat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ps558 Posted September 8, 2008 Report Share Posted September 8, 2008 Gunite pool 5-6 yrs/old. Pool is losing water 2-3 inches/day - filter NOT running. I've been adding water daily and trying to find the problem. Finally, I decided to let it drop until it stops. Well, it isn't stopping. It's below the light and still falling. I realize it has to be the main drain(s) because there's nothing left that could cause that much water loss so quickly. Last night, I put a piece of wax paper over them and weighted it down with upside down plates. I'll check it when I get home from work today. This all started after I vacuumed-to-waste about 3 weeks ago. I'm trying to take care of this myself. I'm a do-it-yourself lady, but I've gone as far as I know how on this. Helpful advice on what to do next will be extremely appreciated ~ YardCat Well the easy way is to remove the drain grate covers and just plug to drains with a rubber plug and reinstall the covers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pool Clown Posted September 9, 2008 Report Share Posted September 9, 2008 I doubt if a piece of wax paper will seal the main drain. Expanding rubber plugs as ps558 suggested. If the other end comes up in the skimmer, don't forget to plug that end too. But If the main drain line tee's into the main suction, I won't envy you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark357 Posted September 9, 2008 Report Share Posted September 9, 2008 The leak is almost definitely due to a leaking hydrostat. A hydrostat is a check valve that is installed in the bottom of the main drain. If you vacuumed directly over the main drain grate the suction could have caused the check valve to open and get stuck open. Usually all you need to do is to dive down, remove the grate and reset the valve. Sometimes you need to replace the valve if it is bad. You should go to the pool store and ask to see a hydrostat so that you know what one looks like before diving down. A hydrostat is installed as a safety device to prevent the pool from floating out of the ground when it is drained. If the water table is high enough, while the pool is drained, it can actually cause the pool to float like a boat. You should have a replacement main drain grate and hydrostat before diving so that they can be replaced if necessary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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