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

Plumbing Leaks

This section looks at plumbing leaks and the common ways that swimming pools tend to leak. You may be intimidated at the thought of having an underground plumbing leak in your pool and this is understandable. While you may feel that the leak could be anywhere, and it could, it almost certainly is in one of only a few places.

Leaking Return Lines

Return lines tend to leak quite often. This can be from improper installation, improper materials or external factors however it is very likely that the leak is at a plumbing fitting. Fittings are used to create bends in rigid and semi rigid plumbing pipes and it is these connections that are most likely to leak. Plumbing pipes can be crushed under certain uncommon circumstances however in the vast majority of cases the leak will be at a fitting.



The first place that you should look if you suspect that you have a leak in your return line is where the pipe meets the return fittings in the wall of your pool. The picture above shows the back of the wall where a pipe would connect. If not installed correctly (which should include a 90 degree elbow pointing straight down immediately at the wall) leverage forces can cause the wall fitting to crack along the top edge as the ground around it settles over time.

Skimmer Leaks

Again while it is possible for a skimmer line to leak anywhere it is almost certainly going to be leaking from a failed fitting connection. This can be anywhere along the pipe run however the most common area for a leak in a skimmer line is directly underneath the skimmer.



The pipe itself connects to the skimmer via a glued connection or threaded connection. In addition to this there is also a 90 degree elbow that points the pipe towards the pump location. This collection of fittings is the most likely area that you will find a skimmer leak.

How To Find Pipe Leaks

Other than doing a series of tests that may allow you to locate the leak source by process of elimination the most effective tool that you have for finding leaks in the pipes of your pool is a stethoscope. Both real and toy stethoscopes will work. In addition to this tool you will need to pressurize the pool pipes which is know as a pressure test.

Any leaks that are in the pool system can often be heard using a listening device at the suspected leak location. Some leaks are easier to hear than others depending on the location and size of the leak as the backfill used to bury the pipes.

Pressure testing the plumbing system is a more advanced leak test and you may want to look into hiring a leak detection company or local pool contractor to complete this for you. If you are an intrepid DIY enthusiast then you may be able to complete the pressure test yourself but be careful as pressurizing the plumbing system can be dangerous.

Continue to the section that looks at 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.