If you notice lower than normal water levels in your pool, you may have a leak.

Even a single inch of water from a leaky swimming pool could indicate a loss of 500 gallons, leading to potential landscape damage and a much higher water bill. There are several different ways in which a pool leak can begin. Below, we’ve put together some tips that will help you find a pool leak in the shortest amount of time:

Check When Equipment Is in Use

If you only seem to be experiencing a leak when the equipment is turned on, this can be the result of a few different things. Common issues include problems with the plumbing on the pressure side or issues with the backlash line. This will often cause soft or wet spots in your yard in the area where your plumbing is returning water to the pool.

Check When the Equipment is Off

Leaks occurring when equipment is off can be especially troublesome due to their continuous nature. A suction side leak or possibly damage to the pipes that are bringing water from the pool are common indicators. These leaks can typically be figured out very quickly by marking the water level and rechecking it a short time later.

What a Continuous Leak May Mean

While a continuous leak might indicate problems with the plumbing, this it can often mean that you have cracks in the shell’s plaster or possibly tears in the vinyl. One of the most common pool leaks is caused by a separation between the plastic skimmer and the concrete pool. This can be checked with the use of a test dye in an area where there appears to be a crack.

Check for Vinyl Pool Liner Issues

Vinyl pool liners can begin to leak due to a tear or separation around the fittings. This includes the skimmer, return lines, cleaner lines, steps, pool lights, main drain, and other areas. To perform a proper check, you’ll want to slip on some goggles and spend a bit of time underwater.

Check Evaporation with a Bucket Test

To determine if a small loss of water is due to a leak or evaporation, you can conduct what’s called a bucket test. Start by placing a bucket of water near the pool and measuring both the pool’s and bucket’s water level. If the pool loses more water over a period of 24 hours, this means you have a leak.

Check for Cracks in a Concrete Pool

If the surface of your concrete pool develops small cracks, a leak is unlikely. However, larger cracks will likely cause an issue which can be detected with a special dye. Most small cracks can be fixed with pool putty, silicone, or plaster, whereas large cracks will require injected sealant and plaster.

Check for Leaks in the Pool Skimmer

Another very common leak occurs at the pool’s skimmer throat. This is caused by routine expansion and contraction of the pool and deck, which will eventually break the seal between the pool wall and skimmer. A temporary repair can be done with pool putty; a more permanent solution requires removing the plaster and using a patch kit to replace it.

Check for Leaks in the Equipment Pad

Leaks at the equipment pad are also somewhat common. For this potential issue, you’ll want to check the filter, pump, heater, and valves. Turn the pump on and off, checking for any spraying water each time it’s switched off. A tiny drip or two won’t indicate a leak. What you’re looking for is a trickle or worse.

Check for Underground Pipes for Leaks

If you’re experiencing a leak, there’s a slight chance that it’s due to a problem with the underground plumbing. However, if any work has been done that has disrupted the ground, such as the use of a backhoe, then this may be a concern. The easiest way to check for underground leaks is to shut off the pump and plug up all the lines. If the leak continues, it’s something else.

Work With a Professional Pool Repair Company to Find a Pool Leak

If you can’t locate the source of a leak, find one that’s too big for you to deal with, or simply don’t want to do the work yourself, call a professional. A professional will know exactly where to check for leaks and recommend some great ways to repair the issues.

Contact Larsen’s Pool & Spa to Build Your Dream Pool Today!

You can’t really find a pool leak without a pool in the first place…

Larsen’s Pool & Spa is the premier custom pool builder in Tampa Bay and can handle your new pool construction and all types of pool renovations. If you’re ready to build your dream pool today, give us a call at (727) 786-POOL (7665) to schedule a free consultation for our custom pool building services.