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

Water Level Leak Test

Fixing a leak in your swimming pool is a process of gathering information and identifying specific areas of your pool prone to leaks. For each piece of knowledge you acquire from the testing that you are doing you are taking a small step towards isolating the exact problem.



The information will also allow you to eliminate less likely leak points from your search. You will not often interpret data from any one test and be able to say exactly where the problem exists. You may however be able to determine where the problem is likely NOT to be from any one test. With the process of elimination in mind, let’s look at some more tests that you can do to identify where (and where not) your pool is leaking.

How To Do The Water Level Test

Let your pool continue to leak until the water level stabilizes and stops receding. The level that the water drains to will be a huge indication of where the leak is located. Water levels don’t lie.

It is safe to temporarily lower the water level in your vinyl liner swimming pool so long as you leave between six inches to one foot of water covering the floor in the shallow end. Concrete pools can be drained as well but should not be left drained for long periods of time. By letting your pool water level drop you can often find the origin of the leak source.



If the water level goes down to the wall returns height and then seems to slow or stop there, you likely have a hole in the return line. Wherever the water line is when it stops receding, be sure to check the circumference of the pool for small holes, tears or punctures in the liner. If you are able to conduct this test on your swimming pool, whatever the result, the findings will help to further diagnose your water loss problem.

Protect Your Pool Pump

Please note that during this test it may be necessary to shut down your circulation system so as to not burn out your pool pump when the water level drops below the skimmer mouth.

If you have a mechanical installation that allows you to isolate the main drain and skimmer suction lines and close off the skimmer, you can continue to run your pool through this test. Never drop the water level in your pool lower than 6-12” of water covering the shallow end, and avoid prolonged periods where the water level is dropped this low, especially with older liners.

Continue to the section on evaluating the results of 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.