Is Your Pool Losing Water? Morrisens Projects Has the Solution!

• High Temperatures: Pretoria's hot days and direct sunlight significantly increase evaporation, especially if your pool is heated.

• Low Humidity: Dry air acts like a sponge, drawing more moisture from the pool's surface.

• Wind: Breezy conditions can dramatically accelerate water loss.

• Water Features: Cascades, fountains, and other water features expose more water to the air, increasing evaporation.

• Normal daily evaporation can be up to 6mm (1/4 inch). If you're losing more than 5cm (2 inches) per week, it's time to investigate further.

If you have a fiberglass or marbelite pool, leaks often stem from specific issues related to their construction. These include:

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• Cracks in the Pool Shell: Over time, ground movement, age, or even original construction flaws can lead to hairline or larger cracks in your marbelite or fiberglass pool shell. These cracks allow water to seep out, often slowly at first, but potentially worsening over time.

• Settlement Cracks: As the ground around your pool settles, it can place stress on the pool structure, leading to cracks, particularly near steps, skimmers, or returns.

• Failing Seals Around Fittings: The areas where plumbing, lights, skimmers, and returns are integrated into the pool shell are common weak points. The seals or gaskets around these fixtures can degrade, crack, or become dislodged, creating pathways for water to escape. The skimmer box is a particularly common culprit for leaks in these types of pools.

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Beyond structural issues unique to fiberglass and marbelite, these pools can also experience the following, which apply to all pool types:

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• Plumbing Leaks:

  • Underground Pipes: Hidden leaks in the pipes circulating water to and from your pool equipment are often the hardest to detect. They can be caused by corrosion, tree roots, ground shifting, or faulty installation. A significant drop in water level when the pump is running often points to a pressure-side plumbing leak.

  • Loose or Broken Fittings: Connections within the plumbing system can weaken and leak over time.

  • Backwash Line Issues: A faulty multiport valve gasket can cause water to continuously escape through the backwash line, even when the filter isn't being backwashed.

• Equipment Leaks:

  • Worn Seals and Gaskets: O-rings and gaskets in your pump, filter, or heater can deteriorate, leading to noticeable drips around the equipment pad.

  • Cracked Equipment Housings: Plastic components can crack due to age, UV exposure, or pressure.

At Morrisens Projects, we employ a methodical and professional approach to identify and resolve your pool's water loss, ensuring a lasting solution.

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1. Comprehensive Leak Detection:

• Initial Assessment & The Bucket Test: We begin by discussing your observations and often recommend the simple yet effective bucket test to confirm if you have a leak versus just evaporation.

• Visual Inspection: Our skilled technicians conduct a thorough visual inspection of your entire pool, including the interior, tiling, coping, skimmer, returns, main drain, and surrounding areas for any visible signs of damage. We pay special attention to areas prone to cracking in fiberglass and marbelite pools.

• Pressure Testing: We perform pressure tests on your underground plumbing lines (suction and return) to identify leaks that are out of sight.

• Dye Testing: For suspected structural leaks, especially small, hard-to-spot cracks in your fiberglass or marbelite, we use concentrated dye to visually confirm the leak point, observing how the dye is drawn into the opening.

• Underwater Inspections: Our team can perform underwater inspections to find leaks that don't require draining your pool.

• Observation of Pump Cycles: We carefully observe water loss patterns when your pump is running versus off to narrow down whether the leak is on the pressure or suction side of your plumbing.

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Once the leak is precisely located, Morrisens Projects provides efficient and durable repair solutions:

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• Structural Repairs (Fiberglass & Marbelite Specific):

  • Crack Repair: We expertly repair cracks in marbelite or fiberglass pools using appropriate sealing and patching techniques, often involving epoxy or specialised pool-grade sealants designed for these materials.

  • Fittings Resealing & Replacement: We repair or replace faulty seals and connections around skimmers, lights, returns, and main drains to ensure watertight integrity. This is crucial for preventing future leaks from these common trouble spots.

• Plumbing Repairs:

  • Pipe Repair/Replacement: For damaged underground pipes, we undertake precise excavation (minimising disruption) to repair or replace the affected section of piping. We ensure robust, long-lasting connections.

  • Valve and Gasket Replacement: We replace worn or faulty gaskets and O-rings in your multiport valve and other plumbing components.

• Equipment Repairs:

  • Seal and Gasket Replacement: We replace worn seals and gaskets in your pump, filter, and heater to stop drips and restore optimal function.

  • Component Repair/Replacement: We repair or replace cracked equipment housings and other damaged components as needed.

3. Preventative Advice & Maintenance:

At Morrisens Projects, our service doesn't end with the repair. We provide valuable advice on:

• Proper Water Chemistry: Maintaining balanced pool chemistry is crucial to prevent corrosion and deterioration of pool surfaces and equipment.

• Regular Inspections: We guide you on simple routine checks you can perform to spot potential issues early.

• General Pool Care: Tips on reducing evaporation and extending the lifespan of your pool system.