The autofill valve is a sneaky source of leaky troubles.
So, you received an alert about continuous water flow and have gone through the leak checklist. Toilets seem okay. Irrigation is okay. But you’re still scratching your head wondering what could be causing it?
You cast your eye towards the pool. It looks full — no obvious leaks there. But there’s one more thing to check: the autofill valve.
Just like a toilet, a pool with an automatic autofill feature can be a silent but steady water waster. Regularly checking it should be part of any leak investigation and can help lower your risk of a high water bill plunge.
Here’s how autofill systems can run continuously. Just like a toilet flap, the mechanism can accumulate sediments from water and other floating debris over time. When this happens, it will run continuously — and the traces will all pour straight into the overflow drain as if there’s no problem.
One telltale sign is a hissing sound when water is passing through the valve. If you hear it, shut off the autofill (usually located near the pool filter) to give you time to conduct any necessary maintenance. Check out our how-to video to help you evaluate your automatic fill valve.
Discovering if your pool happens to be the leaky source can be tough since it’s not visible. It’s a good idea to check your autofill regularly as part of your pool maintenance routine to keep it running efficiently.
For more information about detecting leaks, visit saws.org/leak.
