Anyone got any tips or tricks on finding a small leak in an Intex pool? I don’t see that there’s any ground around it that is wet, but the level is dropping little by little
Small leak i cannot find?
- Thread starter kimray
- Start date
- Jun 22, 2014
- 51,999
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Did you verify there is no water seeping out of the backwash line by accident? Can you post a pic or two of the pool?
www.troublefreepool.com
Leak Detection
A number of things can cause leaks in your pool. You can learn tricks for leak detection and how to pinpoint where your pool is losing water.
www.troublefreepool.com
No to the backwash line. I will get pics tmrw but its just a metal frame round intex pool. I suspects over the years the roots underground are starting to come to the surface and poked a hole somewhere. I can patch it, just need to find it!Did you verify there is no water seeping out of the backwash line by accident? Can you post a pic or two of the pool?
Leak Detection
A number of things can cause leaks in your pool. You can learn tricks for leak detection and how to pinpoint where your pool is losing water.
what kind of pic are you needing to see? its an Intex 15' metal frame. not much to show lolDid you verify there is no water seeping out of the backwash line by accident? Can you post a pic or two of the pool?
Leak Detection
A number of things can cause leaks in your pool. You can learn tricks for leak detection and how to pinpoint where your pool is losing water.
Decoy205
Silver Supporter
Any chance it’s just evaporation? How much water are you losing and how warm is the temps outside day and night?
- Jun 1, 2018
- 15,974
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
U can do the bucket test to rule out evaporation as your cause as listed in the article @Texas Splash posted.
Once that’s ruled out it’s goggle time!
if u find any spot at all that looks suspish u can check the area with food coloring. The leak should suck the food coloring in.
Check all the seams.
Anybody been weed eating in the area?
Any noticeable rocks/protrusions on the bottom? You can methodically take your feet & slide them across the entire floor to scavenge for offenders.
Once that’s ruled out it’s goggle time!
if u find any spot at all that looks suspish u can check the area with food coloring. The leak should suck the food coloring in.Check all the seams.
Anybody been weed eating in the area?
Any noticeable rocks/protrusions on the bottom? You can methodically take your feet & slide them across the entire floor to scavenge for offenders.
nah... this has been noticeable loss. Im in AL so its hot as Hades every day, but same as every year and this doesnt happen. like every few days I have to lower my skimmer a tad more
Decoy205
Silver Supporter
- Jun 1, 2018
- 15,974
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Also feel for a “dip” or channel in the pool bottom- if its been leaking it may be mushy in that spot or have even washed out the dirt/sand in that area.
oh there are absolutely tree roots underneath that are slowly coming to the surface more each year. They werent an issue when it was put up, but over the years they are getting more prominent. Dont need to feel for themU can do the bucket test to rule out evaporation as your cause as listed in the article @Texas Splash posted.
Once that’s ruled out it’s goggle time!
Check all the seams.
Anybody been weed eating in the area?
Any noticeable rocks/protrusions on the bottom? You can methodically take your feet & slide them across the entire floor to scavenge for offenders.
, you can SEE them! That is actually what i suspect is causing the leak. However there is a deck and landscaping around the pool so just taking it down and getting a new one is a last resort. I know its leaking, just wanted to know how to FIND the leak. So with the food coloring.. can too much cause the water to turn color?? I mean there are many areas that could be the offender, Thats alot of red dye LOL!Im hoping to just patch it and get another couple of seasons
then also what is the best patch to use? i have tried the Flex Tape that the ads say is the bomb... stuff is a joke LOL. underwater seal neededoh there are absolutely tree roots underneath that are slowly coming to the surface more each year. They werent an issue when it was put up, but over the years they are getting more prominent. Dont need to feel for them
Im hoping to just patch it and get another couple of seasons
- Jun 1, 2018
- 15,974
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
You won’t be squirting the food coloring all over , just right up close the suspected areas. Use a color u can see well against the liner.
A patch kit like this is good- Home Depot, lowes, & pool stores have them- the glue is the most important part, do u have the intex “swatches” that came with pool? If so u can use one of those with the adhesive. Also cutting the patch into a circle will help prevent the edges from coming loose.
A patch kit like this is good- Home Depot, lowes, & pool stores have them- the glue is the most important part, do u have the intex “swatches” that came with pool? If so u can use one of those with the adhesive. Also cutting the patch into a circle will help prevent the edges from coming loose.
ok I will check those out. I think I have some of the intex patches.. have to check the shed. So this glue will hold up as I take it underwater?? My experience has been they SAY they do, but dont actually work. Like by the time you get the patch on the bottom and positioned, all the glue is either washed off or so water logged it has no sticking power.
- Jun 1, 2018
- 15,974
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
It does work- u gotta be ready & decently quick- also have a weight ready to sit on the patch to continue to apply pressure after your initial hand/ foot pressure.
Food Coloring works, but something like this works better
When patching the liner, first clean the liner in the area you are patching. Just scrub it with a towel.
You can also put the glue on the patch, then fold the patch like a taco, get it near where it needs to go, then unfold and apply it. If it is on the bottom you can use a weight. If it is on a wall, then you can just push on it.
It helps to have a second person (one whom you trust). You can then wear a mask, and then second person can hold you under the water while you apply the patch. That way you are not flailing around trying to fight your natural buoyancy.
When patching the liner, first clean the liner in the area you are patching. Just scrub it with a towel.
You can also put the glue on the patch, then fold the patch like a taco, get it near where it needs to go, then unfold and apply it. If it is on the bottom you can use a weight. If it is on a wall, then you can just push on it.
It helps to have a second person (one whom you trust). You can then wear a mask, and then second person can hold you under the water while you apply the patch. That way you are not flailing around trying to fight your natural buoyancy.
This stuff works great
Gorilla 4 in. x 10 ft. Waterproof Patch and Seal Tape in White 101895 - The Home Depot
Gorilla Waterproof Patch and Seal Tape instantly seals out water, air and moisture. With an extra thick adhesive layer and UV resistant backing this tape conforms to form a permanent bond indoors and out. At 4 in. W use it to patch holes, cracks, gaps and tears, even underwater.
www.homedepot.com
thanks!, now just because I am a "need to understand the whys and hows" kind of person, why do you say this works better than food coloring?
Just scanned this thread. I see no mention of ANY daily water loss (1/4" daily? 1 foot daily?) or if OP has found the leak or not. Am I missing something or have we proven their is a leak and, if so, has it been found?
I did mention water Loss
I already know it is a leak and am pretty sure the cause of said leak
and thanks to the nice people here, I now have ideas on how to pinpoint it and repair it
Can you tell us how much daily?I did mention water Loss
Can you share that info with the forum?I already know it is a leak and am pretty sure the cause of said leak
