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

Holes In Vinyl Liners

A hole in the vinyl liner itself will have accompanying characteristics that go along with the obvious signs of water loss. If a pool is losing moderate amounts of water through the liner itself, you will often experience a situation where water accumulates underneath the liner in your pool causing the liner to float up off the floor of the pool slightly.



This is not necessarily a dramatic effect that will be immediately obvious. Close inspection of the floor will help to determine if there is excess water under the liner, specifically in the deep end of the pool. If this is the case it is very likely that you have a hole in your liner.

Consider All Relevant Information

If you suspect a hole in the liner of your pool you should also consider the relative age and overall condition of the liner as a whole. if the liner is old, faded, cracked, ripped or of an unknown age you can expect that a hole in the liner might exist.



Be sure to check your maintenance equipment such as vacuum heads and brushes for any sharp protrusions which might inadvertently cause a rip in the vinyl liner. Additionally all toys and clothing used in the pool should be such that is poses no risk to puncturing the liner.

Seeking a small hole in the vinyl liner can be difficult so identifying why the leak exists, or the instrument that caused the leak, can lead you to locate the hole in the liner much more readily.


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.