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

Leak Detection Dye Test

The dye test is a quick and easy test that can be completed by anyone. It takes a skilled eye to spot a small leak, however larger leaks can be witnessed by most anyone. Special dye can be purchased from pool supply stores in a syringe for easy application to the suspected leak area. As a quick and easy replacement for this dye you can use either red food coloring, or the red dropper liquid from old swimming pool water chemistry kits.



The dye is injected in the water in tiny amounts directly adjacent to suspected leak areas. If the water is relatively calm, the dye will float casually where you have squirted it. If a leak is present the dye will be pulled from its casual floating position down into the leak.

Please note that to test a return gasket for example, you would slowly and carefully submerge your arm trying to disturb the water as little as possible and squirt the dye to within an inch of the suspected leak. If a leak is present the dye will gently float back and forth with the motion of the water, and you will see it begin to disappear into the leak.

Although this is a good preliminary check that can be preformed by anyone, it is a low tech precursor to far more reliable testing methods such as pressure testing and require a keen, often skilled eye to interpret test results accurately.



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.