One key phase of leak detection is the plumbing pressure test. During a pressure test, our Technicians test the pool’s equipment and plumbing for leaks caused by breaks or cracks in the PVC pipes used to plumb your pool or spa. If you are experiencing rapid drops in water levels, you likely have a broken pipe underground. A water loss of approximately 2-3 inches every 24 hours often indicates a plumbing leak, as opposed to a structural leak such as a crack in the gunite.
You can read more about this test in our blog entry about pressure tests.
If you have any questions and/or would like to schedule our services, please contact us at 940-484-4468 or click here to contact us. We are here for you!
One approach to detecting leaks in a pool or spa is known as a Dive and Dye Test. Using a small syringe with colored dye, our Diving Technician searches throughout and around the shell of the pool, for any cracks or holes that may be causing your leak.
Read more about our dive and dye test.
If you have any questions and/or would like to schedule our services, please contact us at 940-484-4468 or click here to contact us. We are here for you!
Pool skimmers are essential to keep circulation and filtration in your pool or spa, and ensure your water is clean and clear. The function of a skimmer is to remove floating dirt and debris that may accumulate in your pool and spa. Without properly functioning skimmers, your pool or spa water will accumulate unwanted surface debris.
Your skimmer includes a basket that captures leaves, tree branches, and larger unwanted objects from being pulled through your pool’s pipes, which could cause damage and blockage to your equipment. Please check the basket for any holes or cracks that could allow debris to get past the skimmer and into the pump.
Identifying if your skimmer is working is simple. Most importantly, begin with ensuring that your pool water is at the correct level of full (e.g. To the middle of the tile line or just below the bottom of the overflow grate). Once you have corrected or verified the proper water level, turn on the pump at the equipment pad. Wait for your pump to fully prime. Open your skimmer valve(s). At your pool, the bottom of your skimmer body should be sucking water and debris down its pipe. If you can see and feel the water and debris being pulled down your skimmer’s body, your skimmer is working correctly. If no suction is happening, your skimmer may have a break or blockage. If your skimmer suction seems weak, you may need to clean the filter at your equipment pad. A dirty filter will cause your pool’s suction to reduce in intensity and effectiveness. Call us for advice on troubleshooting low or high pressure on your filter. 940-484-4468.
When feeling your skimmers for suction, be cautious of inserting your hand in or around the skimmer pipe. Strong suction could cause your hand to get caught in the pipe. An alternative approach is to watch any floating dirt or debris to see if the suction pulls it down the skimmer pipe.
If you have any questions and/or would like to schedule our services, please contact us at 940-484-4468 or click here to contact us. We are here for you!
Locate your pool’s pump at the equipment pad. Protruding out of the front of your pump will be a PVC manifold that controls the suction of your pool. The suction manifold of a pool consists of pool main drains, spa main drains, and skimmers. They are responsible for directing water from your pool or spa back to your equipment for filtration. The suction manifold should include valves that will allow you to control which specific pipes of your pool’s suction are turned on or off. One or more of these pipes will control your skimmers.
To identify the pipes that run to your skimmers, your pool pump must be running. Once your pump is primed and running properly, try turning each separate suction valve on and off, one at a time. If the suction at the bottom of your skimmer body stops, the valve to that skimmer is closed. To confirm this pipe and valve run to this specific skimmer, open the valve. If your skimmer resumes suction you have identified the valve correctly. Never run your pump with all the valves closed.
If you have any questions and/or would like to schedule our services, please contact us at 940-484-4468 or click here to contact us. We are here for you!
Yes, it is possible to run your pool or spa with your skimmers turned off. However, running your equipment on your main drains alone will allow surface debris to accumulate in your pool or spa. Keep in mind that your pump and pool equipment needs to have at least one other method of suction open and operating if you close off the skimmers.
If the water in your pool is too low to fill the skimmer basket, there is a simple way to run your pool on the main drain alone. Close the skimmer valves at your equipment pad. Make certain the valve for your pool main drains is open. Do not run your pool with all suction valves closed off at the same time.
Running your pool or spa on your main drains alone is useful in a few situations. For instance, if you are leaving town for an extended period and are unable to monitor your pool daily, running your equipment’s suction on the main drains alone is an easy precaution. Using only the main drains is also an alternative if your leak is causing the pool to drain below the skimmers. Running your skimmers without enough water could cause damage to your pool’s pump. However, as long as your skimmers are not drawing or sucking air, they can be used.
If you have any questions and/or would like to schedule our services, please contact us at 940-484-4468 or click here to contact us. We are here for you!
