How to Find a Leak in Your Pool and How We Can Fix It

Are you worried you have a leak in your pool? Is your swimming pool losing a significant amount of water throughout the day? Sometimes when your pool loses water it is because of evaporation and not a leak. To figure out if your pool is leaking you should do the bucket test. Then, if you still think you have a pool leak, inspect the pool area for any cracks, holes, or broken tiles. And finally, complete the dye test to pinpoint the location of the leak.

Leak vs. Evaporation: The Bucket Test

On average, pools lose around ¼ of an inch of water per day because of evaporation. In windy or very hot climates they can lose even more. So, before jumping to the conclusion that your pool has a leak, check that your water loss isn’t just because of evaporation. The bucket method is the best way to tell if the water loss in your pool is due to a leak or just evaporation. Please note that no people or animals should be in the pool during the test, as it can cause water to splash out of the pool and skew results.

Start by turning off your pump and any other automatic refilling device you might have.
Perform the test on a clear day with no chance of rain. Begin by filling up a large bucket until it has about one inch of space left at the top. We recommend a 5-gallon bucket.
Place the bucket on one of the first few steps of the pool, and make sure the bucket does not float.
Mark the pool water level on the outside of the bucket with a piece of duct tape, waterproof tape, or a permanent marker. Then mark the water level inside the bucket.
After 24 hours, compare the water levels. If the water level in the pool has dropped more than the water level in the bucket, you might have a leak.
If it is confirmed you have a leak, repeat the test with your pump on. If the results differ, you can assume your leak is located in the pool’s filtration system or plumbing.

Inspect Pool and Equipment to Determine the Leak Area

Pool leaks can be found in a variety of areas around your pool. Many leaks are found in the pool liner, especially where it is stretched thin, like around corners or stairs. Leaks can also be found in the underground pipes or some of the equipment. If you believe the loss of water in your pool is because of a leak and not evaporation, the first step is to figure out the general location of your leak. So, look closely over all areas of the pool and its equipment for any potential damage.

Inspect Equipment:

To make sure that you don’t have a pressure side leak, check the outside pipes, connections to a water heater, pool pumps, and other pool equipment. You should be looking for any areas where the gaskets or other connection points are dripping or spraying water.

Inspect the Pool:

Check any suspected areas – the walls inside the pool, fittings around accessories, corners, stairs, or other areas where the vinyl liner is stretched. This time you are looking for areas where you can spot a crack, hole, or loose tiles. Inspect the base of the pool to ensure it is not squishy from trapped water.

Inspect Surrounding Pool Area:

If you have an in-ground pool, check the ground surrounding it, the pool deck, and the walls for abnormal wetness. If there is a leak it could be leaking water into the ground around the pool. If you do notice a weird wet spot it is usually close to where the leak is.

Pinpoint Leaks with the Dye Test

Once you have found the general area of the suspected leak, you should perform the dye test. This test will allow you to pinpoint the exact location of the leak.

Begin by turning off your pump and other water features to keep the pool as still as possible.
Using food coloring or a specific leak finder dye, drop or squirt the dye into the water in the area with the leak. Be careful not to touch the water! The dye will be pulled towards the leak and eventually through it.
If you believe your leak is at the bottom of the pool, swim down to perform the test, trying to stay as still as possible.
If possible, mark the spot with a piece of tape.

Avoid Future Disasters by Partnering with a Professional

A water leak in your pool might not seem like a big deal, but it can cause lasting issues to the structure of your pool or house foundation, and cause cracks and plumbing issues, not to mention a huge dent in your wallet. Having a professional assess your pool ensures the longevity of your pool and home, saves you money, and is the most time-efficient option. Home testing for leaks is possible but allows more room for error, which can have expensive consequences, especially with underground leaks. Hiring a professional can give you peace of mind that your pool is running smoothly with no surprise problems or costs in the future.

Premium Pool Care: Pool Leak Detection from Net Positive Pools

At Net Positive Pools we offer a variety of pool maintenance services that can solve any of your pool problems! We have a team of dedicated professionals, trained in all aspects of pool care, maintenance, and repair, who are ready to provide solutions to any problem that a pool owner, like you, might have! If you are worried you have a leak and don’t want to leave the health of your pool up to chance, let us assess your pool and solve any problems we might find. Some of our leak prevention services include:

New Pool Liner Installation: Our team will expertly install a new pool liner, eliminating liner leaks and providing a fresh upgrade for the season!
Pool Liner Repairs: To avoid future leaks, our team will perform a comprehensive overview of your liner and repair any problems our professionals spot!
Leak Detection: When looking for hard-to-find leaks, we use new technology to listen to the frequencies leaks emit, letting us effortlessly pinpoint the leak to repair it.

We also offer a weekly maintenance program to help prevent leaks or any other issues before they appear! Our different packages allow you to choose what fits your needs best, with our full coverage plan covering cleaning duties, chemical balancing, equipment monitoring, and more. That way you can relax in your clean, well-managed pool, instead of stressing about leaks, tears, water damage, or a chemical imbalance!

Our other services include:

Have a positive pool experience when working with our committed team! We focus on bringing outstanding service, friendly solutions, and expertise to every client.

If you need help deciding if your pool has a leak, or even more commonly, figuring out where your leak is, contact us today! You can relax while we perform professional-grade tests to examine your pool. Instead of struggling with DIY fixes, we will provide a worry-free solution that will last!

Resources:

https://certifiedleakdetection.com/what-happens-if-you-ignore-a-swimming-pool-leak/