Costs start at $20 to replace a linear foot of tiling and reach $8,000 for a pool main drain replacement. to this site, and use it for non-commercial use subject to our terms of use. eHow may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Does anyone have any idea how this can be fixed without completely bustin up the bottom of the pool and replumbing it? Youll have to use a submersible pump for that job. Dont try to stay underwater more than your lungs allow. Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts. Plumbing in a pool can be fickle. Any orders placed over the long weekend will be addressed the following week. Once you identify the most likely places where the leak could be, get into the water with a pair of goggles and a small bottle of food coloring. Keep a rag handy to quickly wipe up any drips of glue after you push the pipe deep into the fitting and hold it for 10 seconds. The most common method to fix a pool liner leak is a patch. There may be a grid of rebar under the pool plaster, which you will need to cut with bolt cutters. Terms & Conditions If youre not sure that your main drain is working, well, make sure the pump is on first! The leak is often above the frost line, so the warmer your climate, the deeper the crack could be. No exceptionsits just not worth the risk. It is being practiced by thousands of pool owners just like you. And because concrete pools are not watertight, the opportunity for leaks is higher. Not only can it become a money drainer but also a time consumer. Water level remained constant. Since your pools circulation operates using a significant amount of suction, any crack in your plumbing is going to present some major problems, including a total burst. Check the ground for moisture. A professional can easily pinpoint the area of the broken pipe so that it can be repaired. The drain joins other pool lines from the skimmers and the return lines. Costs are higher for in-ground pool leak repair due to the lack of accessibility and the more expensive materials used to build the pool that may need to be repaired or replaced. | Main drain leaks can be costly but must be repaired. However, there are three major leaks that affect concrete pools: A structural leak is a leak in the structure of the vessel itself. This can be a good solution when the fiberglass is so damaged by spider cracks that minor repairs cannot be made. While plugging the main drain is the most accurate way to pressure testthe main drainline, if you want to avoid getting in the pool, it is possible toidentify a problem in the upper part of this plumbing by usinga technique called an Air Lock Test. Then, close the valve on your pressure tester. The crack severity and material affect how much this repair costs. 4 Finding The Leak. Component replacement may be needed if it turns out they are the source of the pool leak. This pool was built in the 70s so the main drain was formed out of concrete rather than having a manufactured plastic main drain. We are a registered 501(c)3 non-profit that is funded by user donations. | Some problems like holes cost less because the solution is quick and easy to implement. Northwest Omaha neighbors get results after M.U.D. Step 2 - Chart the Main Drain This can only happen when ground water levels are a foot or more higher than pool water levels. Show more How Pipes Are. One of the people on here who lives somewhat close to me suggested the possibility that my hydrostatic relief valve opened and then was stuck open until it worked its' way shut. While repairs may be possible in many cases, sometimes a component must be replaced. Its also recommended that your main drain have an approved coverotherwise, they look like big holes and are too powerful for swimmer safety. Seal the pipe with epoxy and glue the new section in place. How to Flush a Drain For Maintenance - The Spruce If the measurements are the same the leak is not in the plumbing, if the "on" measurement is less than the "off" measurement suspect the main drain lne. Leaking Pool: Find and Fix Pool Leaks - In The Swim Pool Blog Determine the exact location of the leak. The light is removed to determine the problem. Prices are based on a residential pool that measures 18 x 36. Now consider the fact that most pools contain around 30,000 gallons of waterthats a lot of movement! Leaks can also damage your landscaping, with soil erosion and muddy lawns being very common with ongoing leaks. Your email address will not be published. For example, if you are experiencing any of the following, you likely have a leak: Once youve determined that you have a leak, the next step is to repair it. When it comes to preventing concrete pool leaks, the secret is in the installation. Hello , This is an inactive thread. If there is a leak in the section of the line at or above the water level of the pool, youll see a quick drop to 0 psi. Make sure the water level stays at least halfway up the mouth of the skimmer at all times. If this is the area, the food coloring should be sucked into the leak. How to Replace a Swimming Pool Main Drain | DoItYourself.com The main drain is that vent-like square or circle located at the bottom of your pool, though ideally yours has more than just onemore on that later. The average price of leak repair is $75 to $2,750, depending on the location. You must log in or register to reply here. Well also go over how to fix a clogged main drain and how to plug it up for the winter. president Mark Doyle. - Opened pool to unusually low water level - leak probable, With over 300,000 members, TFP is the largest and most influential pool & spa website on the Internet. This might be due to a huge crack, excessive corrosion, or similar issues. These services will save hours of time and a lot of money, as they have the experience and tools to locate these leaks. If you do need to drain your pool, the main drain wont help you. Any ideas out there on a good way to test for tile/grout leaks? Keep in mind that gaskets and pumps may also be the problem. Leaks are a sign of a problem, and many of these problems can worsen. Leak in the main drain return - Swimming Pool Help Structural leaks typically occur when there is a crack in the pools shell. Finally, the water passes out of the filter and back into the pool through the pool jets. Even when I have seen it do that it will be clear water more often than not. Keep feeding the cable slowly until you feel a breakthrough, then go over the area once again. How To Find and Fix a Pool Leak in 3 Easy Steps - Leslie's Pool Supplies Whether you have a leak from a torn vinyl liner, concrete crack, or even an equipment failure, its important to get the repair done right away. Get free estimates from swimming pool builders near you. which is not intended to be a final specification. Everything that happens in your pool relies on your pump. Mark the area above the pipe and break away any concrete around the leaking area with a jackhammer. how water moves through your plumbing and equipment. If it floats around a bit, your main drain isnt working, which usually means that, Keep your pool as clean as possibleand prevent main drain clogsby switching to a powerful automatic cleaner that works on its own. As long as this line use to hold pressure, the leak should be within four feet of the surface or pool deck. The skimmer and main drain lines join into one that leads to the suction side of the pool pump. When the pump isnt on, water isnt actively being sucked from the main drain. A pressure drop below 4 psi is an indication of a leak somewhere in the upper section of the plumbing. The cost to replace pool components ranges from $100 to $8,000. Using the submersible pump, drain the pool completely. The information provided by our cost guides comes from a great variety of sources. Please consider. The line brings water to the pool while the drain moves it away. The pool may not even need to be drained for minor repairs. Use PVC primer on pipe and fittings about 30 seconds before adding copious amounts of fresh PVC glue. Once you find the area, you simply dig it up. Hydrostatic valves only open when the pressure OUTSIDE and UNDER the pool is considerably greater than the pressure INSIDE the pool. Then, they must be replaced. That means that it provides a high amount of suction. if your maintenance routine is on the mark. After months of puddling, neighbors say now its only the replaced concrete sidewalk panel that needs to dry. Whether you have an above or in-ground model impacts the repair price, ranging from $100 to $5,000. With the leak fixed, a M.U.D. For example, above-ground leakage detection is usually less expensive than an in-ground model. Step 1 - Locate the Leak Use a leak detection service to pinpoint the leak. If you only have one, its important to take extra precautions. How To Clear Floor Drains and Main Drainpipe Blockages - HowStuffWorks We send occasional emails relevant to the swimming pool leak detection industry. A structural leak next to the main drain sump in a swimming pool. After removing all the water I was able to hear water running into the pipe. If swimmers or animals are on the other side of that suctionespecially those who are smaller in sizethey could and have gotten trapped against the drain. You may need to perform a leak detection test to determine which part is leaking. Some also choose a replacement for a new aesthetic or install a higher-quality component than the one already present. Install the new main drain cover. Remove the plug with an adjustable wrench. Note where excess water appears to be pooling in the yard or on the concrete. How to Find a Leak in Your Swimming Pool: 8 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow