Swimming Pool Leak Detection in Beaconsfield

Symptoms

Additionally, air was being drawn into the pump circuit, causing persistent air bubbles at the pool returns. The source of this was traced to a leaking suction pump connection that was not sealing correctly, allowing air ingress during normal pump operation.

Methods Used

In the filtration room, once the sump was isolated and the manifold disconnected, pressure testing identified a crack in the sump pipe just beneath the concrete surround. The concrete was carefully broken back to expose enough of the pipe to allow a clean cut and repipe.

The pump suction connection was also inspected and found to be letting air past its seal, which was stripped back and resealed.

Investigation Process

1. 1
   Pool dived — hydrostatic valve removed

   The pool was dived and a specialist tool was used to remove the old hydrostatic valve from the sump pot in the pool floor.

2. 2
   New hydrostatic valve installed and sealed

   Thread sealing tape and sealant were applied to the new valve before it was threaded into position. Additional sealant was applied around the thread and the body of the sump pot.

3. 3
   Hydrophone test and dye test on valve

   The repaired valve was tested with a hydrophone and no anomalies were detected. A dye test was also carried out and no dye was drawn in through the valve, confirming a sound repair.

4. 4
   Filtration shut down — sump outlets plugged

   The filtration system was shut down and the pool was dived again to plug the sump outlets with a threaded bung, isolating the sump pipework from the pool.

5. 5
   Sump manifold disconnected and pipework pressure tested

   The manifold in the filtration room was disconnected and the sump pipework was pressure tested. The test identified a crack in the pipe just beneath the concrete.

6. 6
   Concrete broken back and pipe cut out

   The dense concrete surrounding the cracked section was carefully broken back to expose enough pipe to work on. The damaged section was then cut out.

7. 7
   Pipework repiped and left to cure

   The section of pipe was repiped and left to set for one hour before being retested. The repair held, and the filtration system was reassembled and returned to service.

8. 8
   Pump suction connection investigated and resealed

   Air ingress at the pump was traced to the suction pump connection, which was letting air past its seal. It was removed, resealed with PTFE tape and sealant, and refitted, which resolved the air issue.

9. 9
   Pump run in recirculation — air at returns monitored

   The pump was left running in recirculation mode and observed until no further air appeared at the pool returns. Filtration was then switched back from recirculation to normal filtration mode and run successfully.

Result & Outcome

One observation noted for ongoing monitoring: the filter has no vent, meaning trapped air within the filter will need to dissipate back into the pool system naturally over time. Any residual air at the pool returns is attributable to this trapped air and is expected to clear without further intervention.