Easy-Set Pool Leak

May 28, 2005 8:59 PM

The pool: One of these. The problem: Slow leak in the top ring. The question: How to find the leak?

The "spray soapy water on it and look for bubbles" method isn't working. Any other suggestions?

posted by I EAT TAPES to home & garden (7 comments total)

Drops of food dye at various points around the ring and see where it goes? The pool company used a similar dye made for pool leaks for a leak in our pool a few years ago.
posted by karmaville at 9:26 PM on May 28, 2005

Wait, the leak is *air* coming out of the walls (and the top ring), not water, right?
posted by michaelkuznet at 9:58 PM on May 28, 2005

I solved the same problem on the same pool last summer. Give the soapy water another try. Don't spray it on, take a bowl of warm soapy water and a washcloth and spread the water slowly along the ring. Bubbles = leak.
posted by LarryC at 10:14 PM on May 28, 2005

Yeah, never mind. Sorry.
posted by karmaville at 10:18 PM on May 28, 2005

If the leak is really slow I don't know that anything other than submersion in water is going to locate it. What about the stuff they use to locate leaks in cooling systems? Don't know that it would work in such a low pressure situation.
posted by Carbolic at 10:42 PM on May 28, 2005

Overinflate the ring a bit. Move your face slowly around the tube, and try to listen for the leak. You'll also feel any leak on your eyes and lips as the air movement feels cool. I've used this to find leaks in various inflated air mattresses etc.

Soapy water is the other good tip.
posted by tomble at 5:25 AM on May 29, 2005

If garden variety soapy water isn't working, hit a Toys R Us and pick up a large bottle of the glycerine soapy solution meant for bubble blowing. Pour it in a bucket and paint it on with a paintbrush.
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 8:47 AM on May 30, 2005