DIY Pool Repair

How To Find Swimming Pool Leaks

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• 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

Leak Test Condition 2

Leak condition 2 refers to the pool leaking more when the plumbing system is on, but water loss is experienced in both conditions

More Water Loss With Pump Running

If you are losing water while conducting the hydrostaic leak test in all situations however the rate of water loss is greater when the plumbing system is on as opposed to off then this tells some important information about the nature of the leak.

This condition indicates that the pressure of the pool filtration system causes the leak to lose more water than when it is shut off. This almost certainly eliminates the leak from potentially being a structual leak since the plumbing system being on or off would have no impact on the rate that water escapes from a crack or hole in the pool surface.

Multiple Leak Locations

This introduces the possibility of multiple leak locations in the pool. This is one of the more difficult situations a pool owner can find themselves in as this will certainly complicate the process of identifying the leak source based on process of elimination.

More difinitive testing such as pressure testing or electronic leak testing may be required to locate the leaks if multiple and unrelated leaks are present in the pool.



Again, this is precisely the reason that you should conduct multiple tests and compile the results for greatest leak detection accuracy. While is it possbile that multiple leak locations may exist the hydrostatic test is pointing towards there being a leak in the plumbing system.

If this is true, regardless of whether other leaks also exist, further testing and repair of the plumbing system will be required. This is itself will help in locating any potential secondary leaks.

Based upon the leak characteristics displayed by your swimming pool during the hydrostatic leak test, here is a list of the more likely areas of concern for your pool. This information is not sufficient for stand alone diagnosis of your swimming pool leak in most cases, but can very often lead to an efficient diagnosis and repair due to recurring instances of these common pool failures:



(small leak of less than 1” / 2.5cm per day)
-Crack in return line
-Loose fitting connection on return line
-Pump seal missing or damaged
-Filter head gasket out of alignment

(medium leak of 1-3” / 2.5-7.5cm per day)
-Broken fitting on return line
-Lengthwise pipe crack on return line
-Filter head gasket out of alignment

(large leak of more than 3” / 7.5cm per day)
-Severed return line
-Crushed pipe
-Filter head gasket out of alignment
-Multiple return line leaks


You can choose another condition from the side menu to explore other potential leak options. There is also more detailed information for if your pool is leaking more with the pump running plumbing system leaks. When you are ready proceed to the next leak detection section that looks at the water level 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.