[Solution] How to Fix a Swimming Pool Main Drain Leak
- Locate the Leak. Use a leak detection service to pinpoint the leak. These services will save hours of time and a lot of money, as they ...
- Chart the Main Drain.
- Empty the Pool.
- Expose the Main Drainpipe.
- Breakaway the Concrete.
How do you fix a water leak under a swimming pool?
This leak will probably be under the main drain well or within two feet of the main drain, where it makes its turn towards the trench. There may be a grid of rebar under the pool plaster, which you will need to cut with bolt cutters. Using the chisel and hammer, break away the concrete around the pipe.
How to repair in-ground swimming pool main drain pipe?
Repairing Your In-ground Swimming Pool Main Drain Pipe 1 Diagnosing Leak In Main Drain. First thing you need to do, is verify that your main drain line is leaking. ... 2 Repair Difficulty Level. This is an easier repair than you might think. ... 3 The Most Common Reason For Leak. ... 4 Finding The Leak. ... 5 Repairing The Line. ...
How do you fix a water leak in a drain pipe?
Break out the leaking area with the jackhammer. The leak will probably be at a joint that has been improperly glued. This leak will probably be under the main drain well or within 2 feet of the main drain, where it makes its turn towards the trench.
Should I repair or replace my main drain leak?
Main drain leaks can be costly but must be repaired. The main drain of an in-ground swimming pool is one of the most crucial parts of the pool’s mechanics.
How do I know if my pool main drain is leaking?
So, if you see that you pressure quickly drops to 2 psi, it's likely that there's a leak in the main drain line somewhere between 4′ – 5′ under the water level of the pool. If there is a leak in the section of the line at or above the water level of the pool, you'll see a quick drop to 0 psi.
Can I plug my pool main drain?
During winter months or periods of non-use, most pool drains do not need to be plugged, but in some cases plugging a main drain is required or recommended. Plugging a main drain shuts off the suction caused by the drain and prevents water from traveling through the lines connected to the drain.
How do you fix a leaky underground pool pipe?
0:344:04Fix A Leak Without Digging - DIY Pipe Repair - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo first thing we're gonna do is we're going to install a stand pipe. So it's 2 inch threaded it'sMoreSo first thing we're gonna do is we're going to install a stand pipe. So it's 2 inch threaded it's gonna come up and it just makes and soling our plug our compression plug a lot easier.
How do you replace a main drain cover in a pool?
0:309:27Underwater Repairs: Drain Covers - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTools. Now if you're a professional like me you can screw around for 10 minutes without successfullyMoreTools. Now if you're a professional like me you can screw around for 10 minutes without successfully completing the job or you can read the directions before you even beginning see these tabs.
What is the main drain on inground pool?
The main drain is the primary way that water is drawn from your pool into the pump and filter. The main drain is located on the bottom of the pool in the deepest part. Most pools have one, but larger pools may have multiple main drains.
What is the purpose of the main drain in a swimming pool?
The main drain for a pool is a suction port that should be located at the deepest point on the pool floor. A main drain is responsible for aiding in the circulation and filtration of the pool water. Having a properly working and dedicated main drain line can also allow you to fully drain your pool if necessary.
How do I find a leak in my inground pool plumbing?
1:523:36Finding Pool Plumbing Leaks Using The Pool Scope by LeakTronicsYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipRight through the wall. For any leak. And the leak is just water only on the outside. And if you'llMoreRight through the wall. For any leak. And the leak is just water only on the outside. And if you'll notice this is what you're hearing.
What kind of glue do you use for pool plumbing?
Oatey® PVC 2300 Series Pool-Tite™ Medium Bodied Very Fast Set "Hot" Blue Cement is recommended for potable water, pressure pipe and DWV applications. It is formulated for wet conditions or situations involving fast installation or pressurization of flexible and rigid PVC pipe and fittings.
How do you fix a leaking PVC pipe without cutting it?
0:172:21How to Repair Cracked or Leaking Pipes Without Cutting or ThreadingYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipApply the putty into the repair area pushing it into any cracks and tapering it on to theMoreApply the putty into the repair area pushing it into any cracks and tapering it on to the surrounding surfaces. Body should be held in place until it hardens and adheres usually around 2 minutes.
How often do pool drain covers need to be replaced?
5 yearsDrain cover manufacturers are required to provide the consumer with information that tells them when the drain cover must be replaced before they begin to crack or show other signs of failure. Many manufacturers have designated a life span of 5 years, others up to 10 years.
How do you remove the drain cover from the bottom of a pool?
If you don't see any screws, then the cover twists on and off. Undo the screws, if it's screw-fastened. Twist the cover counterclockwise if no screws hold it down. You may have to swim up for air and then swim back down several times until you get it removed.
How do you replace a drain cover?
1:103:56Replacing a Manhole Cover on Driveway / The Carpenter's DaughterYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd then once I've removed most of it I just started brushing any debris away from the manhole. AndMoreAnd then once I've removed most of it I just started brushing any debris away from the manhole. And this last chunk was the easiest to remove. And it just convened leak aim off in one. Piece.
How do you drain a pool without a main drain?
Because there is no main drain on most aboveground pools, you will only be able to lower the water to the bottom of the intake or skimmer, using your aboveground pool filter system. To drain an aboveground pools, either a). Use small submersible electric pump and garden hose, or b).
How do I measure my pool drain cover?
You can use your pool basket as a measuring device. Put two strips of electricians tape on the “scoop” edge of your pool basket, separated by 6-3/8” inches as pictured below. From the side of the pool, place the basket “scoop” edge over your pool drain to measure the distance between the holes on the pool drain cover.
How to find a leak in a pool?
Step 1. Determine the exact location of the leak. You can do this with the naked eye or by hiring a leak-detection service . The service will have the tools necessary to detect this sometimes hard to find type of pool leak. Make sure the leak is around the main drain, which is located at the bottom of the pool and empties underneath the pool.
What is the main drain of a pool?
The main drain of an in-ground swimming pool is one of the most crucial parts of the pool’ s mechanics. An improperly functioning or broken drain can be an owner’s worst nightmare because usually the pool must be completely drained and the concrete or plaster at the bottom must be destroyed in order to fix the leak.
Where is the leak in a pool?
The leak will probably be at a joint that has been improperly glued. This leak will probably be under the main drain well or within 2 feet of the main drain, where it makes its turn towards the trench. There may be a grid of rebar under the pool plaster, which you will need to cut with bolt cutters.
How deep is the main drain in a pool?
Step 2: Chart the Main Drain. The main drain is a 1-inch to 2-inch line leading from the bottom of the pool, outside the pool shell, to a trench about 24 inches below ground level. The drain joins other pool lines from the skimmers and the return lines.
How to determine which direction a drain line runs?
Push a length of wire into the opening of the intake pipe to determine the direction it runs in. When you know where the line runs, mark the area and excavate an area 24 inches wide, centered over the main drain pipe, so the pipe is exposed.
What do you cut under pool plaster?
There may be a grid of rebar under the pool plaster, which you will need to cut with bolt cutters .
Is a pool drain a drain?
Although it is called the main drain, it's not a drain at all. It's an intake pipe that leads to the pool pump, and an important part of the circulation system of the pool.
What to do if you suspect a leak in your pool?
If you suspect a leak in your pool, the bucket test is the first test that you need to do. If you keep getting inconclusive results with your test, then something as simple as identifying the temperature from one day to the next will help you get and interpret more accurate results from your tests.
How to test for a leak in a pool?
To start the test, release a steady stream of dye into the area surrounding the suspected leak. Once you release the dye, it will tend to stay together and float gently with the subtle motion of the water moving. If there is a leak, you will see the dye being actively pulled out of the pool through the leak.
Why do you need a bucket test for pool leak detection?
Conducting a bucket test before anything else is so important in the pool leak detection process because it removes all the external factors that make your evaporation rates unique. Through this test, you will be able to measure the rate of your pool water loss versus the rate of evaporation in your pool.
What does it mean when a pool pump is leaking?
If yes, then the leak could be a suction-side leak, which means that the leak is somewhere on the pipes that bring water from your pool. When the filter pump is on, the plumbing on this side of your pool is under vacuum so air is drawn in through otherwise leaking voids.
Why does my pool lose water?
Swimming pools naturally lose some water due to evaporation or splash-out. However, you might find the level of your pool losing more than one inch every week. If that’s the case, then you may have a leak that is worth spending some time and money to repair.
How much water does a pool lose in Florida?
If you are living in Florida, then you can expect your swimming pool to lose about 1/16 to ¼ inch of water a day. In other areas, evaporation rates may be lower or even higher. To determine if your pool is leaking or if it is just losing water to evaporation, you need to conduct a bucket test.
Why is it important to control pool leaks?
Pools can leak through fittings or accessories, plumbing, or shell. It is important to pay attention to pool leaks to save water, heat, and chemicals. Controlling pool leaks can also prevent any future damage to your pool’s structural components.
How deep is a 20,000 gallon pool?
Hence the 10 foot depth and 20,000 gallon approximate capacity -- and the fact that about 60% of the pool is deep end (deeper than 6 feet). Note the location of the pump shed -- the only part of it that is visible is that angled piece of fiberglass roofing material behind the pool and to the right -- in deep shade.
What does a picture of a drain mean?
A picture of the drain was just to determine what it looked like. What we really need to know is what's under the cover. But don't kill yourself trying to get a picture of it!
Is it legal to have two drains?
That'll tell you a lot. Yes, there is a law about the drains, but that's if you are installing one. If you have a new drain system, it must be two drains (it's actually not that simple, there are other options), but you are not required to have a drain, so no drain is legal. There is no retroactive component.
Do you have to drain a pool?
You won't have to drain your pool. I don't like the putty idea, at all. Even if that would work to seal up the drain cover (which I very much doubt), it won't take any less time underwater than installing a plug would.
How to tell if a pool drain is leaking?
The main drain line is a possibility, though small, in my experience. To determine if it's leaking in the main drain pipe, run the pool on main drain only for 24 hours and measure how much the water level drops, then turn the pump off for 24 hours and measure the loss. 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.
How long does it take for a pool to leak?
To determine if it's leaking in the main drain pipe, run the pool on main drain only for 24 hours and measure how much the water level drops, then turn the pump off for 24 hours and measure the loss.
