Two: Determine How Much Water The Pool Is Losing
Fill the pool to the proper operating level and mark the water level with tape, pencil or crayon. Record the loss in 1/4 of inches, once in the morning and once in the evening for 24 to 48 hrs with the system on. Once measurements are gathered, repeat the same procedure with the pool turned off. More water loss with pool system on, in most cases points to a leak in the plumbing or equipment. As a rule of thumb, losses up to 1/2 inch daily may indicate a combination of evaporation/ wind/splash out. Losses up to 1 inch daily more than likely indicate a leak somewhere in the system, more than 2 inches of water loss per day would normally be caused by a broken pipe, broken or loose fitting, equipment or by a visible hole or tear in the liner.
Cause 1: “Splash out” is lost through various activities in the pool including diving, water games, etc.
- Observation: Fill pool to operating level. If the water level does not drop on days pool is not used, splash out is the cause.
- Cure: Warn pool users that splash out is the cause
Cause 2: The loss of 1/4″ of pool water per day is an indication of water loose due to evaporation.
- Observation: Loss of water to evaporation will be noticeable in the morning as cooler night air causes a higher rate of evaporation than hot sunlight. Wind also contributes to evaporation.
- Cure: A solar cover placed on the pool at night will reduce nighttime evaporation by as much as 90%.
How Do You Know If Your Swimming Pool Is Leaking
Many homeowners deal with pool maintenance on their own. Not only can it save you money, but it means you have more control over your backyard oasis. But, when water seems to be escaping your pool, what are you to do? How can you tell if your pool is leaking or if its just a natural byproduct of evaporation?
To tell if your pool has a leak, you can use the bucket method:
Now, this method works well because it rules out a lot of outside variables. Many homeowners dont know, but pools lose water naturally. This can happen in a few different ways, the main one being natural evaporation.
It can also happen through other water features like waterfalls and playful swimmers splashing around. If you live in a hot climate, you can expect more evaporation.
But, the bucket method works well because it rules out the evaporation factor. If your neighbor has a pool, you can also ask them about their pool level and reference your own. This can be another way to see if your pool is leaking.
Once youve established you have a leak, youll need to find exactly where it is.
Complex Pool Leak Repairs
For the most difficult pool leak repairs, a portion of the deck may need to be cut open. Or, in the case of cracks behind the tile line, the coping and tile may need to be replaced to allow for beam repairs.
When extensive freeze damage or old age causes major leaks in underground plumbing lines, an underground pipe may be abandoned, and it may or may not be replaced. A professional will be able to guide you on the best options for your budget and the long term health of your pool. For vinyl pool owners, you may need to buy a new pool liner in order to fix a leak correctly.
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Find A Leak In My Above Ground Pool: Is Your Pool Actually Leaking
Identifying and fixing an above ground pool leak is important if you want to keep using your pool without doing further damage. But the first thing to do is identify if your pool is leaking at all. Sometime a leak is obvious, such as a large tear or wet ground surrounding your pool. But sometime, you may have a suspicion that all is not as it should be.
Evaporation is a normal occurrence in summer especially in Texas. Test your pool for a leak by placing a bucket of water next to your pool in the cooler hours of the morning. Place a strip of tape right above your water line in both your pool and your bucket and wait 24 hours. Come back the next day with a tape measure. The measurement from the bottom of the tape to your new water line in both your pool and your bucket should be the same if evaporation has occurred. If the water line in your pool is much lower, you know you have a leak to locate.
So Youve Found A Leak Now What
Knowing how to find a leak in a swimming pool is an excellent first step. But what comes next?
Fortunately, small leaks e.g., from loose pipe fittings, abnormal pressure in pipes, or a cracked seam on an underwater light are ones you can typically repair on your own. Pool putty or caulk from your local home improvement store can do the trick and is very affordable. However, if the leak is larger or more complex, you may need to call a detection services professional to take care of it.
Either way, when you get your in-ground pool or above-ground pool running leak-free once again, it is essential to stay on top of maintenance and catch problems before they become costly. Pool Calculator is one of the easiest ways to do that. With our handy desktop or and iOS and Android mobile apps, tracking your pools chemical levels wont just keep swimmers safe and hygienic itll help you detect leaks sooner and keep your pool or hot tub in outstanding condition for years to come.
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Waterproof Tape Pool Patch
Waterproof tape is very similar to duct tape, but obviously, it can be used underwater and hold up over an extended period of time. All you have to do is place the tape over the tear in the liner and make sure that it is smoothed out so there are no air bubbles. Failure to do so could result in the tape losing its grip to the wall and exposing the tear once again.
One perk of waterproof tape is that its UV resistant, meaning that the ultraviolet rays from the Sun wont cause any damage.
However, one drawback of waterproof tape is that it is clear, meaning that even when the tear is patched, the steel walls of the pool will be exposed, the pool bottom will be exposed and the patch can look ugly. And if the patched tear is near a seam, the wall could be more susceptible to damage.
One: Use A Bucket To Detect A Leak
Place a large bucket in the pool water about three-quarters submerged. Usually, I would place the bucket on one of the steps. Fill the bucket up so that it is even with the water level. After the bucket is filled and put in the right place, use a strip of duct tape or a permanent marker to mark the water line in the bucket. Then turn the pump off and return to the bucket after about 24 hours. If the water level of the bucket and the pool are still matching, you likely do not have a leak. But if the water level of the pool is lower than the bucket, there is a leak at the level that the water stopped draining.
To check for a leak in the pools plumbing, carry out this test while the pump is running. If you notice the water level decreasing, you likely have a leak in the piping or pump.
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First Stop: Equipment Checks
Some leaks may not be as apparent as others, so you cant expect to find the area where the leak is automatically. You will need to check the pool liner and equipment thoroughly if you suspect a leak in your vinyl liner.
When a leak is present, it wont always appear in the vinyl liner. A tear can also occur in the pools pump or any piping. So check the piping and look for wetness on or around the equipment. Dry any wet areas with a towel and watch to see if it becomes wet again.
Leaks in your pool system can be tough to detect, so you must be very diligent when checking the area. Check the pump, piping, return line, skimmer, and filter for leaks.
Two: Use Ink To Find The Exact Area Where The Leak Is
Most pool stores will sell a leak detection kit with a special dye and a syringe. This is used to find the exact location of the leak so that you can patch up your pool.
After using the bucket to detect a leak, you know the general height at which the leakage occurs. Do a lap around the pool and carefully recheck the walls for any signs of a leak. Once you think you have found it, you can break out the dye and get in the water.
When using the leak finder, make sure you dont disturb the water too much. The pool water needs to be very calm to be an accurate test. Squirt the dye-filled syringe toward the wall where you suspect the leak to be. If a leak is present, you will notice the dye moving towards the wall.
I recommend doing this test a couple of times to ensure the leak is where you suspect it is.
Once you confirm the leak is in a specific area, mark the exact location with duct tape on both sides of the pool. Doing this is important so that when you patch up the leak, you dont fix the wrong spot.
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When To Ask A Professional To Test And Repair A Pool Leak
Pool leak detection services cost several hundred dollars. And while some pool companies might include minor patch jobs in the price, its worth it for any pool owner to try some of these methods before paying for a professional to come in.
But if youre a homeowner with an inground pool and you suspect the leak is underground in your plumbing, youll need to call in a pool professional to pressure test the lines for possible cracks.
Remember, if swimming pool leak detectionor any other pool repairbecomes too difficult, or youre not sure youre getting the right results, its worth consulting a professional
How To Fix A Leak In Your Pools Vinyl Liner
Leak repair is fairly straightforward in a vinyl liner pool. And a well-placed, quality pool patch can last for years. But no matter what method you use to repair your pools liner, patches are temporary. And the bigger your tear, the more likely it will snag or peel off over time.
So before you do any repair, decide if your liner is worth trying to patch or if its time to replace it altogether. The older the liner, the thinner its become and the more prone it is to spring leaks in the future.
And keep in mind that any area close to the stairs or near your pools fittings is being pulled by the weight of your pool water. Theyre under more duress than other areas of your pool, so patches there may be less likely to hold up in the long run.
If you do want to repair the leak, there are three methods to choose from and all of them can be used underwater or dry. Do not drain your pool to fix a leak. You shouldnt need to drain any of your water to apply a patch to a leak. Draining out too much water in an above ground pool can cause the walls to collapse. And emptying out any pool with a vinyl liner will dry it out, making the liner brittle. So plan to patch the liner underwater, unless the leak happens to be dry and above the waterline.
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Check The Pools Equipment First
To check the pools equipment first is the easiest. When looking for a leak in an above ground pool, the hardest place to find it is somewhere in the vinyl liner. To avoid any frustration, inspect the equipment first . Follow this checklist first. The leak may be outside the pool.
Does Flex Seal Work On Inflatable Pools
Flex Seal doesnt work on inflatable pools, but the companys Flex Tape product can seal a vinyl leak. Flex Seal isnt waterproof enough to handle the water pressure in a swimming pool, especially if the leak is on the bottom of the pool. You can lay a thin strip of Flex Tape over the hole while waiting for your vinyl patches to arrive.
Place a strip of Flex Seals Flex Tape on the inside and outside of the vinyl where the leak is. Press and hold the tape for about a minute, then let it go. For the best results, round the edges of the tape to prevent the corners from sticking up.
This method also helps the tape blend in. Keep in mind that you can layer this tape over a pre-existing vinyl patch.
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Before you use Flex Tape on your vinyl leaks, remember these helpful tips:
Flex Tape is an excellent choice for those who dont have a vinyl patch at their house. However, its not as efficient and useful as a traditional vinyl repair kit. Its better to choose a kit thats designed for swimming pools if you intend to patch it for many years to come.
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How To Find A Hole In A Pool Liner
Unless the hole or tear is as big as a coin, finding the hole where the leak is coming from in your pools liner might feel like an impossible task. Dont worry, its doable you just need a lot of patience, perseverance, and change of clothes, because youre going to get wet.
To determine if your pool is actually leaking or just losing water due to evaporation, the easiest way to do it is via a bucket test. For this, you will need the following materials:
- A plastic bucket.
- Painters tape, waterproof crayon, or any waterproof marker
- Stones or any heavy object that can prevent the bucket from toppling over
Once you have all those materials, heres what you need to do:
And if diving for leaks is something you or anyone you know cant do, your only course of action is to get a professional to do the job for you.
Simple Pool Leak Repairs
Most pool leaks are easy to fix once found. Simple repairs usually involve a bit of pool putty, waterproof silicone, a vinyl patch, or a plaster patch. Very small plumbing leaks can sometimes be patched with Pentair Stop Leak, but this shouldnt be considered a solution for major plumbing leaks.
For leaky pool lights, pack pool putty around the cord where it exits the niche, or squirt a sealant like Underwater Magic into the conduit.
If the leak is caused by a faulty gasket, bad o-rings, or cracked parts, you may be able to find replacement parts online. Skimmer gaskets and filter valve components are some of the most common pool parts needed for a leak repair.
If the leak is caused by a structural crack in the concrete or plaster, you may be able to fix the crack on your own with a bit of Leslie’s Patch-It. We have some helpful DIY patching tips in our Pool Plaster Repair blog post.
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