Service Providers Forum

Leaks stop leaking?
pguthrie - 22-8-12 at 12:58 PM

Hi everybody! Has anybody else had this problem?

I was out at a commercial pool in lee county, FL a few weeks back pressure testing a vacuum line. We confirmed it was leaking (dye pull and pressure testing), but once we started using the xlt30 to pinpoint, the leak went away. We dye tested again - nothing. Pressure tested - nothing. This has happened to us about 3 or 4 times in the last 3 months.

Anybody have any ideas as to what causes this?

brrscuba - 22-8-12 at 06:27 PM

Small debris can clog the leak, turn the pump back on and suck full on that pipe to dislodge the debris
Then retest and proceed.
If it still passes, then don't go crazy, the leak will return pretty soon.
I have seen high pressure seal a leak, don't run too high, always control the pressure.
Every listening job is a little different, make it a learning experience
Bruce
PoolRepairDiver.com

pguthrie - 24-8-12 at 06:36 AM

Thanks Bruce!

cgg90210 - 11-9-12 at 11:32 PM

I will bet the builder used a flex pvc line. Flex will "suck" out of a fitting when the pump is on but will expand when you induce pressure. I recommend inducing low pressre(under 5 psi) and see if there is a drop. If so, try to induce air at the vac outlet and induce a small amount of water from the equipment side. Try to make your guage needle bounce and then listen along the suspected pipe route. That or you are putting your plug/inducer past the leak. Try putting a plug past the threaded fitting and dye testing the threads or glu joint to the threaded fitting.

cgg90210 - 11-9-12 at 11:32 PM

I will bet the builder used a flex pvc line. Flex will "suck" out of a fitting when the pump is on but will expand when you induce pressure. I recommend inducing low pressre(under 5 psi) and see if there is a drop. If so, try to induce air at the vac outlet and induce a small amount of water from the equipment side. Try to make your guage needle bounce and then listen along the suspected pipe route. That or you are putting your plug/inducer past the leak. Try putting a plug past the threaded fitting and dye testing the threads or glu joint to the threaded fitting.

pguthrie - 17-9-12 at 02:33 PM

Thanks cgg. when you are inducing, do you have some sort of regulator, or do you have another body running the pressure rig? I've been trying to pinpoint it myself (setting the air to say, 10 psi and then using the xlt-30 to listen), but have had little to no sucess doing it.

Poolman - 18-9-12 at 11:55 AM

Had a cut on the side of a flex pipe, under suction pulled in air under pressure no loss. Soultion an overlay....

thepoolsitter - 18-9-12 at 06:45 PM

What is an overlay?

cgg90210 - 24-9-12 at 08:52 PM

Overlay?

brrscuba - 25-9-12 at 06:19 AM

Perhaps he is using a Clip On, or a Snap Lock fitting, either is glued on and overlays the leaking area

Bruce

pguthrie - 26-9-12 at 05:41 AM

No, as far as i can tell it isn't an overlay. I haven't been called back out to the property yet, but when I do I'll post the results.

Poolman - 20-10-12 at 02:37 AM

Overlay, overlay the old pipe with a new one ! :)

cgg90210 - 13-4-13 at 11:26 PM

Huh? Are you saying sleeving a smaller pipe through existing plubing???? Can u explain overlay a little better?