DIY Pool Repair

How To Find Swimming Pool Leaks

Menu:

• Home
  Swimming Pool Leak Detection
• Pool Resources
  List of swimming pool resources - Must read for any pool owner
• Signs of damage
  Obvious deficiencies can be a significant possibility for water loss
• Water loss characteristics
  Has the leak developed slowly over time or suddenly over a short period of time
• Pool plumbing systems
  Understanding your plumbing system is critical in being able to diagnose a leak in your swimming pool
• Hydrostatic test
  Learn how to monitor water loss and conduct a hydrostatic test for your pool
• Test Analysis
  Analyze the data from this leak detection test to find out where your pool is leaking
• Condition 1
  Leaking the same with plumbing system on and off
• Condition 2
  Leaking more when plumbing system is on, but water loss in both conditions
• Condition 3
  Leaking more when plumbing system is off, but water loss in both conditions
• Condition 4
  Leaking when plumbing system is on, not leaking when it is off
• Condition 5
  Leaking when plumbing system is off, but not leaking when it is on
• Leak detection test 2
  Another easy method to determine where your pool is leaking
• Water Level Test conclusions
  Analyze the results of the water level leak detection test
• Faceplates & Gaskets
  water level holds anywhere where gaskets or faceplates are touching the waterline
• Skimmer & Mid Wall
  water level below skimmer mouth but above return outlets
• Return Outlets
  water level holds at the height of wall returns
• Indefinite Drop
  water level continues to drain down past wall returns or lower
• Leak Detection Dye Test
  Use colored dye to locate leaks in your swimming pool
• Common Pool Leak Points
  Breakdown of pool components prone to failure and associated water loss symptoms
• Hole In the Liner
  See symptoms associated with a hole in the liner of your swimming pool
• HRV Failure
  Hydrostatic relief valve failure symptoms
• Filter Head Gasket
  Filter head gasket alignment is a common location for unexplained water loss
• Leaking Skimmer
  See symptoms associated with a leaking or cracked skimmer
• Leaking Return Lines
  See symptoms associated with leaks in the swimming pool return lines

Pool Plumbing Leaks

75% of swimming pool leaks originate in the plumbing system somewhere. A pool filtration system operates under pressure and the chlorine in the water creates an environment that is difficult for materials to last in. Combine these problems with material deficiencies over the last 40+ years as well as settling of the ground area around the pool and you will begin to see why there are so many leaking swimming pools out there.



As a service processional I am highly skeptical about the integrity of pool plumbing systems simply because I have seen so many over the years that were built to be substandard. Many pool systems are leaking from the day they are installed believe it or not.

Common Pool Leak Locations

By far the most common pool plumbing system leak is the return line leak. You can easily spot if your pool has had the returns repaired in most cases by the concrete patch on the deck above where the return is located. A repair patch is anywhere from 12" to 24" squared and the concrete will be obviously cut and repaired.



Pool skimmers tend to leak also from improper gasket installation, cracking from improper winterization (like the crack in the bottom of the skimmer pictured above) and ground settling issues. A leaking skimmer will not likely be as noticeable as a leaking return line since the constant negative pressure of the suction from the pump can minimize the leaking.

Pool Pressure Testing

The most definitive tool in the repertoire of a leak detection service technician is the pressure test. This process involves charging the pool plumbing system with either air or water and monitoring the stability of the pressure over a period of time.

A pool plumbing system, at least in theory, should be 100% leak free and any loss of pressure in the lines should be viewed as a leak. Pressure testing will likely require professional assistance as this process can be somewhat dangerous and will require a few specialty tools that you many not own.

In some cases it will be worth your while to pay for a pressure test just to make your like easier and get to the bottom of the leak. Note that most pool leak detection companies do not actually repair the leak - they just locate it for you and you dig it up an repair it.

You can now begin diagnosing the location of the leak in your swimming pool with the hydrostatic leak test.




The menu on the right is a chronological step by step process to determine where a swimming pool is leaking. This website is written as a readthrough technical assistance guide for locating leaks. When you believe you have identified where the pool is leaking you need to go to our sister website to see pictures and learn more about the actual swimming pool leak repair process.