Center Drain Leak

by Ken
(Burbank, Illinois,USA)

I have an 18 year old 24 foot round above ground pool with a center drain. A new liner was installed 8 years ago.

The last two years my pool has leaked all but 6" of water to the ground. The liner is in excellent condition. I suspect a center drain leak or the pvc piping has a crack.

I am fairly handy. Can the present liner be pulled 2/3 of the way off and then lined up with a new center drain and reinstalled after the center drain has been replaced?

I plan on using an air compressor and put 15 psi in the existing pvc pipe and see if it will hold pressure once an expansion plug is installed in the pool end of the pipe.

The pool is dug out in the middle to 5'6". What are your thoughts? Perhaps a new liner and eliminate the center drain? An 18 year old pool has served its purpose and maybe the best option is to take it down and swim in a lake! Any help is appreciated.
Ken G



Hi Ken. Center drains are seldom the cause for leaks in an above ground pool. The hole is probably around the outer edge some place. I would look very closely at the top of the cove, all the way around the pool.

As the water level gets lower there is less pressure on these holes and they tend to close up, which is why the pool never completely drains. Pin holes in the bottom some where are the next probable cause of water loss.

Pay particular attention to the area around steps or ladders. If you hand vacuum the pool the holes are probably around the outer edge, at the top of the cove. If you use an automatic pool cleaner look very closely in any area where it might get stuck and spend a lot of time.

There is very little chance the liner can be drained and refilled. It will shrink, and because of its age, be unable to refill. Before you drain it completely you might try draining it just far enough to get under the liner and find the holes that way, and then refill immediately. That might work but draining a pool with a liner that old is very risky, you do need to be prepared to replace it if it does not refill properly.

Here are a couple of pages about finding leaks in above ground pools.

Holes in Vinyl Pool


Above Ground Pool Mistakes