It's Worth Checking the Pump Gaskets

We recently spent some time at a home in Hudson working on a vinyl liner repair, and this one turned into a bit of a two-part job. What started as a liner patch ended up uncovering a pump issue that was quietly working against the pool the whole time. Here's what we found and what we did about it, all without draining a drop more water than we had to.

The Liner Damage

Down near the steps, we found a gash in the liner. This is exactly the kind of repair we prep for: we dove in and fixed it underwater quickly with a matching vinyl liner patch. After the patch, we ran a dye test to confirm the seal was solid and there was no leaking. While we were down there, we also noticed a few smaller pinholes caused by ordinary friction wear. Those got patched too, using a flexible sealant that moves with the liner instead of fighting against it.

BeforeAfter

A Pump Pad Problem We Didn't Expect

While working the pad, we found the gasket on the pump had gotten pinched and folded over, most likely from being seated incorrectly from a past time the pump lid was closed. It was still building some pressure, but at around 8 psi it would start to spray. We replaced the gasket right away as part of our servicing.

After the gasket replacement, we made sure to set the filter to Recirculate, that way we didn't have to push through the filter to prime the pump. Since the pump was located above the pool, and the water level was below the skimmer, we used our pressure testing equipment to fill the skimmer plumbing as much as we can with water to assist with pulling the prime from the other suction-side fittings from the pool. We made sure to close the skimmer line once prime was pulled though, to avoid damaging the pressure testing equipment.

The prime did drop again after we finished, but that's simply gravity and air pulling in through the skimmer because the pool's water level was low, and air was in the skimmer box. Once the pool is refilled to a normal level and the pump is started back up, it should re-prime on its own and run normally.

Between the steps and the pump pad, this pool went from a hidden leak and a struggling pump to a patched, tested, and properly sealed system.

If you're noticing a liner that won't hold water the way it used to, or a pump that seems to be working harder than it should, it's worth having someone take a look before small issues turn into bigger ones. All of our pool repairs, including this one, come with a 12-month warranty. To get on the schedule, book a visit online at pool-patchers.com or give us a call!