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 5

Leak condition 5 refers to the pool leaking when the plumbing system is off, and not leaking when the plumbing system is on



Similar to condition 3 if your pool is leaking when the pump is off but seems to improve or stop leaking altogether when the pump is turned on it is very likely you have a suction line leak somewhere in your system.

Symptoms Of Suction Leaks

The suction of the pool pump running can actually pull closed a small leak in a suction line. This creates the potentially confusing situation where the pool leaks when turned off but holds water levels when the pump is running. This should also result in problems priming the pool pump or air being pulled into the system where it is visible in the pump strainer.

Burning Out Pump Motors

A common symptom of suction line leaks in swimming pools is to experience an unusually high rate of failure for your pool pump. This is specifically true for pumps located above the level of the water in the pool where it will need to work harder to lift the water uphill.

Air in the plumbing system will cause the pump to overwork or potentially lose prime altogether. This can result in overheating of the pump motor and windings which will eventually short the thermal disconnect in the pump but sometimes not before permanent damage is done. If the pump is burned out because of overheating then you will likely find it with the electrical breaker tripped. Turning it on will result in some noise and then breaker will trip again as the pump will require motor repair or replacement.

Potential Leak Locations

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 skimmer suction line or fittings

(medium leak of 1-3” / 2.5-7.5cm per day)
-Crack in skimmer suction line or fittings
-Crack in the main drain suction line

(large leak of more than 3” / 7.5cm per day)
-Broken suction line or fitting


You can read more about this condition and suction leaks before continuing to the next leak test the water level 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.