Is it something you can remove easily when the time comes to repair? You should be easily able to tell by partially removing one If you dont see anything described in #2, check the outside bottom of your pool. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Most leak detection companies will suggest replacing the entire liner. Since the back side of the return flange is made from plastic, more times than not you can tap a larger screw in just by using a Here, at Leak Science, we harness and utilize two things that generally makeup leak detection- technology and science. If you dont see anything described in #2, check the outside bottom of your pool. In this video you will see the installation of a Jacuzzi style vinyl return fitting which has a slightly different orientation than the Hayward return. term leak free installation, but one that develops a leak within a few years time. by Joan Note that moisture is normal excessive water is not. Remove any overgrown weeds surrounding the equipment, store the pool toys, and remove any piles of dead bugs. Always be sure to inspect and test vinyl pools thoroughly before installing a new liner. Can that be over tightened? The bad news is that locating a leak in an above-ground pool is extremely difficult. Hi Replacing is better but silicone might work. If you do see this, its time to get in the pool (skip to step 4). Now you have another option. If the screw binds, or if the flange pulls away from the wall, simply back the screw out and try again. Some leaks (that have to do with equipment) will leak more when the pump is on. Who would have thunk Saran Wrap?? Very carefully and slowly swim around the bottom of your above-ground pool and search for holes. A weatherproof vinyl adhesive is also included with the kits. When it comes to ordering pool and spa supplies online in Canada www.PoolSuppliesCanada.ca is by far the best option. Incorrect installation can also result in a short If you see that one or more of the screws looks different, or if one or more of the screws look like they are rusting or Compared to inground pools, above-ground pools are significantly easier and less expensive to build. Things like rust, sharp edges, left over silicone and other stuff could prevent the fitting from sealing. Take your time as some leaks can be deceiving and require patience to find. pool ground above filter hose leak pools hoses sand water swimming equipment And we mean, look closely. Using highly sensitive equipment we are able to find the leaks that continue to cost you money every day until they are located and repaired. Leaks can develop over time in returns for a variety of reasons however most of these will have telltale There are many different types of returns but the most popular is the Hayward. back side of the wall leave. My solution would be to drain the pool below the jet, disassemble, clean out the jet, apply silicone and install. Be warned that if you start to inspect or test your return screws in any way you do run the risk of causing a problem or making a problem worse which you MUST then attend to. In many areas of the country with expansive soils or ground freezing winters the forces that caused a crack in the first place dont go away. If the leak The good news is that once the leak is found, its usually easy to repair. Hello , This is an inactive thread. A much more likely scenario Were here to help, no matter how complicated the leak is. Im thinking the new jet had a defect in it some ware possibly you over tightened the outer ring and caused a hairline crack or it was manufactured with a flaw. Another simple technique to repair holes in above-ground pools is to use vinyl patches. If you were to If you have a Hayward return, then your first repair attempt should be simply to try to If you have a leak in your plumbing, we can pressure test it to determine where the leak is coming from. There are a few different strategies for patching up a leak depending on the extent of the leak. - Swimming Pool Steve Don't tighten it too much because there's a danger of breaking but snugging it won't hurt. causes for leaks in a pool you will often find yourself at the stage where you suspect the return is leaking, but need to confirm your suspicions somehow. - Swimming Pool Steve As a pool owner you really only need a basic setup to vastly improve your ability to inspect inconvenient and hard to see places like inside your returns. They carry everything from chemicals to replacement pumps to entire pool kits, with free shipping options and more "in stock" items than any other Canadian online retailer. I had that drip last season. In an area, you suspect a leak, utilize the dye to confirm the leak is indeed there. While some suggest sealants instead of patches, we dont recommend that because patches have the ability to move around and stretch with your pool making it less likely to cause another leak. You may be surprised what you find! Many of the problems relating to leaking vinyl pool returns is directly as a result of the gasket and flange orientation not being installed correctly. It may be as easy as tightening loose components, patching up holes, or replacing broken down parts. It's easy to do. Thanks for the saran wrap tip! Our team specializes in above ground pool leak detection. This information will work on other brands that are similar but this is mostly geared towards the Hayward above ground pool return fitting. Be sure to look at all components including the hoses, fittings, and lids for drips. How? That is likely because the gasket is made of silicone. gaskets skimmer pooline You want to drill through the faceplate, and right through the wall behind the flange. It fixed the leak. Pool and spa chemistry crash course Same man came and replaced skimmer face plate and gasket and the return gasket and silicone. pool ground above filter hose leak pools hoses sand water swimming equipment Many of these failures would relate directly to a problem with water quality in the pool. This video shows the installation of a Hayward return flange along You must log in or register to reply here. Call a professional. (Chattanooga, TN). On an AGP there should be a big nut on the outside pool wall that holds the return fitting in place. I use the large 460 Channel Locks to tighten the outside nut, so it will take a lot of tightening. The old style Jacuzzi screws are much thicker, and have a machine thread as opposed to a coarse thread designed for tapping into the plastic receiver flange. were in the plumbing line itself, then a pressure test will help you to identify and locate the leak. I used some saran wrap and put it on the return inside the pool to block the vents. You also want to be sure that when the screw bites through the wall, that the flange pulls tight against the wall as opposed to pulling away from the wall as you This can result in stress fractures where each of the screws are located. It is being practiced by thousands of pool owners just like you. ground sensation above It may not display this or other websites correctly. problem is that the two most common types of returns, Hayward and Jacuzzi, use a similar but uniquely different system and inexperienced installers often confuse the with the correct gasket orientation. Our process is like walking into a pitch-black room the size of your backyard and feeling around for the doorknob that could be located anywhere. Do you think your pool is leaking? The end result is that when installed incorrectly the gasket can fail to seal against the flange and begin leaking. Jacuzzi return leak, it will probably happen right away after installation. Sure if you had an underwater camera / endoscope that you could send into your returns that would make it a lot easier to inspect for cracks and other leaks. Start with the pool equipment, since it is the easiest to inspect. Dope is the dope! able to fix this problem without even coming close to breaking a sweat. It used to be that equipment such as this would be hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, and still can be if you require professional grade equipment. Beaded Liners THANK YOU A MILLION TIMES sandman69!! Here we are and it's April and I opened the pool this weekend. I'm not sure, do I put thread tape under nut on threads? Any leakage will be seen between the box and the return. any time where there are screws missing from the return flange, or the screws that are there are not tight or are stripped. This new innovative product is a slick solution to the common problem of a leaking return fitting. Keep in mind that if a return or suction line cannot be isolated due to the way the system is plumbed, the only alternative is to dig up numerous lines, which can be expensive. Discussion in 'The DIY Room' started by don2222, Jun 13, 2018. If your return has a butterfly gasket, a one piece gasket that wraps around the pool wall, the water is not coming in direct contact with the inside of the pool. Yes that does look like cork. Simply click here to return to Above Ground Pool Filters. draining down the pool below the return to facilitate using a cordless drill. install a slightly larger screw. No water on the outside wall. We love serving our clients all across Arizona and are proud of our great reviews. The Fitting Saver comes in a Short (4) version and an Extended (14) version. We are a registered 501(c)3 non-profit that is funded by user donations. Just got our 10' x 24' oval filled and found leaks at 2 am. These are brands, products and services hand selected by Steve for endorsement. Use a dry towel again to inspect the skimmer box and the return. The following links and products are to affiliates of the Swimming Pool Steve website. Were here to help, no matter how complicated the leak is. - Swimming Pool Steve, Copyright 2021 - All Rights Reserved - www.SwimmingPoolSteve.com. (Olive Branch,Ms.). Before getting into your pool, clean and vacuum it. The cork gasket is soggy on the bottom part. Well figure out where the water is going by using the most up-to-date pool leak-detecting technology. Inspect the skimmer and the return. where the Jacuzzi style have a more boxy, and angular profile. Ft. home. Return fittings are, and will continue to be, a source for leaks and an opportunity to service your customer. Fortunately the cost of such technology has come down dramatically. One rubber gasket goes on the inside of the pool, between the liner and the return fitting. Take your time as some leaks can be deceiving and require patience to find. receiver, old style Jacuzzi returns use a brass grommet receiver on the wall side of the return fitting and the new style Jacuzzi has a plastic flange similar to the Hayward design. Sometimes there is a microscopic hole in the bottom of your pool, near your pools wall, or who knows. For more information see the full disclaimer page. easily last the length of the life of your liner. It also comes with a decorative cover for a finishing look. When it comes to the technical process of waterproofing concrete pools Basecrete is the most effective product that I know of. Hayward flanges use a plastic Hayward is the more common of the two type of return fittings that you will encounter in the field. All four screws should be of the same type, and all four Pool Base I have a leak in the return line around the gaskets or nut. Examining the pool equipment in detail, including its components and surrounds, for signs of leakage or dampness. Closing the above ground pool - another year another problem! Finally, leaks on the back side of the wall are unfortunately In between the edge of the backing plate and the wall of the pool, there is a very small leak, maybe one very small drop of water every 20-30 seconds. The other problem with leaky returns and skimmers is the water eroding the ground on the outside of the pool and possibly causing the pool cove to wash out. Join in and write your own page! We send occasional emails relevant to the swimming pool leak detection industry. I installed a new liner, filled it up and there was water on the outside. The Boiler Room - Wood Boilers and Furnaces. As a pool owner it simply would not make sense to spend this kind of money just to inspect your pool return. No need for the 3rd gasket. I noticed it while filling the pool. PE Summit Classic 3.0 Cubic Foot Heating a 1300 Sq. Have a towel handy in case you find noticeable moisture. When return fitting leak they do not leak on threaded sections, they leak past the gaskets. deteriorating, then this would be a major red flag that would warrant a closer inspection. Please note that these endorsements can include monetary compensation, affiliate links and referral fees to Swimming Pool Steve, however there is zero additional cost to you should you use one of these products or services. Be very careful not to disturb the water. Most above ground pools are set on top of the earth, and when there is a leak in the vinyl, the leaked water travels through the earth and leaves noticeable valleys or divots where it was once flat. You should not attempt to spin screws on your returns, or do anything more than a visual inspection or dye test, unless you are ready to take on any work that might develop from your testing. The simplest and cheapest approach is to use waterproof tape. I used a plastic bag with a rubberband to put around the inside connector, worked well also. Once you have worked in the vinyl pool industry for a while you can start to recognize Remove any overgrown weeds surrounding the equipment, store the pool toys, and remove any piles of dead bugs. Even if they end up suggesting a new liner, at least youve gotten peace of mind in that you did everything you could before it came to that. I didn't try a flexible sealer though. Endorsed Brands From Swimming Pool Steve The repair can be completed in minutes and provides a semi-permanent solution that eliminates the need for immediate fitting replacement. There are a number of ways in which a vinyl pool return jet can begin to leak. to schedule your above-ground pool leak detection appointment today. www.BasecreteUSA.com How do you know? Drained it below the return and skimmer and it dried up. If you dont fix the leak once youve found it, your pool will suffer more harm. signsassuming you know what to look for. It is much easier to correct pool leaks if you spot them early on, so learning the warning signs of a leak is crucial. Turn on the pump. Jacuzzi style returns can have a plastic style flange or a brass style flange with a receiver grommet. The first (and easiest) place to look is the pools equipment. You have indicated just enough water to keep the sand moist so this is probably not an issue, just something to keep in mind. We rely entirely on our experience and knowledge with pools and spas, our process, equipment, and our own sense of sight and sound. skimmer inyopools Use a dry towel again to inspect the skimmer box and the return. At least, in most cases, finding a leak in a pool is by far the harder part of most leak repairs. Income generated from these links helps to keep this pool and spa resource available for everyone. By using this website you are agreeing to the terms and conditions. www.PoolPartsToGo.com The danger of leaking is one of the major drawbacks of an above-ground pool. We have a deck going around it and 75% of the pool is in the ground some what because our yard is on a slope. Always use a Teflon or silicone based lubricant. I always tell people when they have leaks that teflon tape is to prevent binding/galling and paste is for sealing. No leak is too big or too small for our expert team! Our top of the line equipment will detect if your pool has one simple test. I had a constant drip last year and because I use salt, you can see where it ate through the finish on the side of the pool around the return and fitting. Some leaks (that have to do with equipment) will leak more when the pump is on. Hi There is no way I could help without seeing it, I hope you figure it out. Heres what you should do from first to last. Larger pieces of vinyl liner can be molded to fit a specific hole in a repair kit. Even if they end up suggesting a new liner, at least youve gotten peace of mind in that you did everything you could before it came to that. Check for standing water around the equipment. If you dont think the leak is coming from your pools equipment, we have some bad news for you: its most likely coming from the liner, and finding it will be considerably more difficult. If need be, dig around the wall to uncover the bottom track. Vaseline is a horrible idea, petroleum based products should not be used on gaskets or o-rings associated with a pool. two. Remember most of these products are for professional install no instructions needed. for the screws through the liner so long as you know what you should be looking for. solution. The main the most common reasons why you might be losing water from your return. I'm not one to be overly concerned about every little drip on my own pool, but some people are. Remove any rocks or other debris so you can easily see. forget to install the second gasket on this return on the pool side of the vinyl liner, similar to how the Hayward return is installed, it is not guaranteed to Even if you feel the leak is inside the pool, inspect the equipment first. Related Article: 10 Scary Facts About Pool Leaks. But dont be fooled: theres more to it than merely peeking and seeing whether water appears everywhere. SwimmingPoolSteve.com is user-supported. It works beautifully. It is leaking on the outside. Look closely at the area directly underneath the pools pump.