How To Determine If Your Pool Is Leaking

The 5 Most Common Causes Of Pool Leaks

Mechanical Issues

• AUTOMATIC WATER FILLERA drop in water level as the result of a leak is much harder to detect in a pool fitted with an automatic fill device, and it is only once you review your water and chemical usage over a long period that evidence of a leak will become apparent. Therefore the best indicator that a pool in such a case is leaking is a recurring problem with excessive algae growth. These algae blooms are caused by fluctuations in the chemical balance, due to treated water being lost through the leak and untreated water being pumped in, thus diluting the chemical level in the pool.

Structural Damage

• Leaks due to structural damage can occur anywhere in your pool. If you can see a crack, make sure to investigate it to see if you are losing water. Its common for structural leaks to occur around fixtures such as lights, valves, aimflows and weirs. You can test if you have a structural leak by conducting a dye test using the ink method.

Plumbing

• Leaks in the plumbing of your pool are not only the most difficult to diagnose but the most costly to repair, as the damage caused by plumbing leaks can have a knock-on effect on the structural stability of the pool. There are a number of factors that can cause a leak in the plumbing of your pool such as corrosion, movements in the soil, and wear and tear in the joints of the pipes.

Broken Pipes

Loose or Broken Fittings

• A pair of leak-proof, anti-fog goggles

• A snorkel

• Leak Finder Dye, or dark food colouring

Simple Steps: How To Check Your Pool For Leaks

You want your pool to be in good shape this summer. One essential skill is knowing how to check your pool for leaks. This article should show you exactly how.

You can repair most small cracks with pool putty or something like it. Ask your local pool pro for a recommendation based on your pool deck material.

Likewise, you can fix many holes in the liner with a vinyl repair kit. Do take the time to examine the whole pool before you start repairing. You need to know what the problem is and how extensive your repair work will be. If youre like most pool owners, you may have a small hole or two, with not much to repair each year. But you still need to know how to check your pool for leaks.

Weve distilled our decades of pool installation know-how into this simple list for you to check off. Heres how to check your pool for leaks in 4 easy steps.

Algae Or Discolored Water

A pool with improper chemical levels is a perfect breeding ground for algae. If algae develop quickly enough it can turn your pool water green which is another sure sign of a leak. Green pools are extremely dangerous if you notice that your pool has turned green over an extremely short period of time, call the experts at Leak Science to come out and assess whether or not this is due to a pool leak.

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The Complete Guide To Pool Leak Detection

Pool leaks can occur anywhere in or outside your pool. Before searching for the leak in your pool, make sure you check your entire filter system area, including the pump, filter, heater, chlorinator, etc.

If you have an inground pool, leaks can also occur by cracked piping underground. If you suspect this, call a local pool professional to pressure test the lines for possible cracks.

The first step to pool leak detection is to determine that you actually have a leak and arent losing water to evaporation. If youve already done this process, you can skip ahead.

Before we dive in, we know taking care of a pool can be hard, especially when youre new to it. You dont know what products to use or how much and when. So we developed the best way to take care of our pool and packed it into our easy-to-follow video course and ebook.

Youll get access to all the videos for one low price so that you can learn quickly and easily about taking care of your pool. Our course will help save money on maintenance costs while making sure your pool stays clean and crystal clear at all times!

Is My Pool Leaking 4 Simple Steps To Check For Pool Leaks

Just imagine you walk into your backyard on a beautiful summer day, slip off your flip flops, and get ready to dive into the shimmering water of your pool.

But you hesitate because something doesnt look right. Is your pool water level lower than usual? Could there be a leak in your pool?

The first thing is to do is not panic! Although any leak should be repaired to maximize your pools energy efficiency, not to mention your enjoyment of it, its best to first make sure there actually is a leak.

If there is a leak, its a good idea to try and narrow down where it might be to minimize the time and cost it may take to repair it.

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How Do You Fix The Leak

How you treat the leak will depend on its nature and location. Skimmer leaks are leaks that commonly emerge between the plastic skimmer and the concrete pool. You can easily fix this with pool putty. Light leaks, on the other hand, spring out as the conduit pipe either breaks or separates from the niche. These leaks are difficult to patch, but there are certain methods that you can use to repair a bad conduit connectionthrough a two-part epoxy that does not easily dry, putty, silicone, or caulk. The easiest to patch are liner leaks. You can simply patch them with a vinyl liner patch kit or a wet patch kit.

Although it may sound like fixing leaks is all about patching, it is not. Not all leaks are easily detected as the ones mentioned above. Pool professionals use state-of-the-art technology in fixing pool leaks. Compressed air, for instance, is used to pressurize pipes. They use compressed air to displace the water in the pipe until it gets to the leak, at which point bubbles escape from the hole to uncover the problem area, or, where a pipe fails to maintain constant air pressure, a leak exists.

It is also important to note that aside from closed system lines, there are also some aspects of the pool plumbing system that do not operate in a pressurized system. If your pool uses an open system, it has an equalizer line that helps the pool pump to retain its prime during periods of low water level.

During Your Test Be Sure That You:

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How To Determine If Your Pool Has Leaks

There are many signs that may point towards a swimming pool leak. As a pool owner, you should make every effort to quickly confirm whether or not you have a leak because it can lead to costly damage for you or your neighbor.

Finding pool leaks in inground pools can be tricky if you dont know what to look out for. Here are 8 early signs for pool leak detection.

How Can You Tell What Is Normal Water Loss And What Is Not

Follow our steps to check for problems that could cause your pool to lose water.

• Check for any signs of water leakage around the pump shed. Are there any damp or wet areas on the floor? Closely inspect the pump, filter, heater, chlorinator and any pipe joins/unions for drips or leaks. Any drips or leaks should be repaired as soon as possible.
• If you have a vinyl liner pool look for any rips or separation especially around any fittings in the liner, steps or corners. For all other pools inspect the pool surface for any cracks or deterioration in the surface. Sometimes the problem can be the size of a pin-hole and very hard to find.

To confirm a pool leak, do a bucket test. For this test, you will need a bucket or watertight container and a couple of rocks or bricks to use as weights. If you have an automatic water leveller, turn it off while doing this test.

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The Solution In The Conclusion:

All the points mentioned above are generally the most common and intimidating signs of pool water leakage. If youve been noticing any such signs of water leaking out of your pool, then without delaying further get in touch withH3O Water Systems, the most reputed and proficient swimming pool leak detection company in San Antonio and bring an end to water leakage issues with comprehensive solution.

If The Pool Leaks With The Equipment On And Off

If the pool is always leaking, you may need to look beyond the plumbing. It doesnt mean that there isnt an issue in the plumbing, but it does raise concern about other areas. One common location for a non-plumbing leak is the skimmer where it connects to the pool. Especially in concrete pools, the skimmer can separate slightly from the concrete and create a leak. Underwater lights can also leak. Both of these can be fixed pretty easily with some pool putty.

You can also search a plaster or concrete pool for any obvious cracks. In a vinyl pool, look for tears in the vinyl. If you think youve spotted a leak, you can use a dye test to verify the leak. With the pool pump off and the water as still as possible, put some dark colored food coloring in the pool and watch to see if the dye is pulled toward the crack or tear. You can also use specialized leak detection dye you get at a pool supply store. If the dye is being pulled toward a crack or tear, you have found your leak.

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Find The Underlying Cause

Once you have ruled out evaporation, try to find out why and where the pool is leaking. Is the swimming pool older? Was it installed properly by a professional? Could there be an issue with deteriorating seals or leaks in the PVC piping around the equipment? If your pool was plumbed in professionally, you can contact the plumber to ask them to inspect the lines and system for your pool. It could be that a loose-fitting or human error is the cause of the leak. These are all pertinent questions that the homeowner should ask when trying to pinpoint and find the underlying cause of the pool leak.

Gurgling Sounds And Dirty Water

Is your pool making gurgling sounds? Or maybe youre seeing more dirt in the water and arent sure where its coming from. This can be caused by a leak in the plumbing, where dirt and air get into the system and creates weird sounds or the presence of dirt.

Some leaks can be easy to identify, especially if its a direct cause of equipment that you can see, such as the pump. But in other situations, it may not be as simple to source. If youre unsure how to determine if your pool is leaking, give us a call at Benson Pools. Well send out one of our pool technicians to inspect the pool thoroughly to get to the bottom of the problem and repair it if necessary.

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Why Do Pools Leak

Pools are constructed so that they are watertight and even though pools seem pretty basic, there are a lot of parts and pieces involved in keeping it that way. Seals deteriorate, pools may shift over time, or the ground its dug into settles. Pools often leak through plumbing fittings, accessories like light fixtures, and even through the shell or liner. Its critical to find and fix leaks to not only save monetarily on things like water, heat, and chemicals, but to keep from the undermining pool structure from gaining water and washing away fill dirt.

If The Pool Only Leaks With The Equipment Off

If the pool seems fine when the pump is on, but leaks when the pump is turned off, you may be able to tell where the leak is. This is likely a suction-side leak. In other words, the leak is located on the intake side of your pump system, before the pump. The reason the pool doesnt leak with the pump on is that the pump creates a vacuum. The suction of that vacuum draws water away from a crack or hole and keeps the water from escaping. But when the pump is off, water can leak out of a small hole or crack in the pipes.

If you think you have a suction-side leak, you will have to check the length of the pipeline for leaks. If the pipeline is underground this can be difficult, especially if it is under the pool decking. The professionals at The Pool Butler can help find this kind of leak.

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How To Test For A Leak In Your Inground Pool Piping

A pressure testing rig or stick is used to test individual lines, to see that they hold pressure. Experts will also introduce air into the pipe and listen for air escaping with high-tech headphones and a stethoscope of sorts. By doing this, professional leak detection companies can literally draw an X marking where to dig, whether it be in the yard or on your pools decking.

In most cases, a small 3×3 hole can be cut, and as the only leak detection and complete restoration company in the valley, Leak Science can legitimately find and fix the leak as if nothing ever happened.

Why Is Water Leaking From Pool Pump

Pool PumpLeaking Water

In most cases, a leak underneath a pool pump is caused by a pressure-side leak. This is easily combated by inspecting the impeller housing o-ring, shaft seal and replacing any worn, cracked o-rings or seals. Before taking apart your pool pump, we recommend purchasing a go-kit.

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Contents

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Consistent Changes With Water Level

The number one sign that indicates a potential leak is noticeable water loss. This will naturally happen due to evaporation, varying with wind conditions, humidity, heat and splashing when getting in or out of the pool. However, consistent changes with the water level can also pinpoint a leak. To determine the difference, you can use an online evaporation calculator which will show you the average amount of water loss based on the data you input. If you have a lower level than the number produces, it could highlight a leak.

Also, if you use an automatic fill device in your pool to maintain a consistent water level and its kicking in more frequently, this can be an indication too.

Pool Leak Detection: Things To Check Before Calling The Pool Repair Guy

If you suspect a leak in your swimming pool, there are a few things you should check before bringing in the pool repair guy. Trying to take care of the problem yourself initially may be good for you financially, as pool repair service calls are guaranteed to cost you some of those hard-earned dollars. Without further ado, here are the things you should review before seeking the help of pool repair experts:

Does it only leak with the equipment on?

If this happens, it may be a pressure-side return leak caused by the filter pump. Check the backwash or waste line for continuously running water. Then, check downhill from your pool and look for weepers showing signs of underground leakage. You can also check for wet or soft spots on the pools side, where the plumbing system is.

Does it only leak with the equipment off?

This may indicate a leak on the suction side or on the pipes bringing water from the pool. If theres air in the filter tank, air in the pump basket, or air bubbling out of the return lines, then it most likely means that this is the problem. You can use a pencil or a tape to measure and mark water levels if you want to be sure.

Does it leak all the time?

Are the underground plumbing pipes leaking?

Are there leaks inside the tiles?

Are the surface cracks leaking?

Still having troubles? Call Gator Leak Detection today for a free consultation.

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