A leak detection expert will ask a lot of questions and follow a systemized approach to identifying and locating your pool leak.
Identifying a pool leak
Step 1: The general questions
- How long has the pool been leaking? When did you first notice it? What happened in/around your pool right before you noticed the leak?
- How old is the pool?
- What type of pool do you have?
Step 2: More Specific Questions
- Visually inspect the pool and equipment. Is anything dripping where’s not supposed to?
- Have you double checked your backwash line? When the filter is in normal filter mode do you have any water leaking down the backwash hose as a result of an out of place gasket in the multiport?
- Can you see any structural cracks or areas that look suspicions in the pool?
- If you have a vinyl liner pool, what is the age of the liner, and do you notice any small holes, tears, or bubbling behind the liner?
Step 3: Operational questions
- Do you have a slide, water feature, waterfall, raised spa, or vanishing edge where water could be dropping of traveling over additional surfaces while it returns back into your pool?
- Is your pool losing the same amount of water while the pump is running as it is when it is turned off?
- Do you have a pool light? A leak in the light niche in older pools is sometimes common.
- If you let the leak continue until it stops where will it stop leaking? *Don’t allow the water level to get too far down in any pool – this can cause serious issues. In a vinyl liner pool, the liner can float/or wrinkle resulting in the need for a whole new liner vs. just a patch. A gunite pool or fiberglass pool can experience ground water pressure that could cause structural damage to the pool.
- Do you have any areas that you simply suspect as the problem area?
Based on this information, your technician should be able to give you an idea of what type of detection or repair will be required and schedule the job. Common service calls include pressure testing, or electronic leak detection.
Leak detection is a specialty, and the best leak detectors are often very busy. Also realize that if you haven’t taken all the steps to start troubleshooting your pool water loss yourself if your pool professional follows the process of elimination your leak detection could take several visits to determine what areas to focus on.
Leak detection experts generally charge by the job or buy the hour, and this is typically a premium service. An expert who can find your leak in 5 minutes will need to be compensated based on their ability and experience versus how much time it takes to find the issue. Many have invested significantly in training and equipment so they have the knowledge and skill to get the job done quickly, and right.
Common leak detection tests
- Pressure testing: if your plumbing lines are suspect a pressure test may be performed to determine if one of the lines is the culprit. This testing will be done with specialized test plugs and pressure induction systems that are designed to give quick results. Based on the results of the pressure test, the technician may then use a variety of tests involving sophisticated electronics or diving equipment to pinpoint the pool leak.
- Listening Devices may be used to pinpoint the sound of pressurized underground plumbing leaks.
- Helium detectors may be used to find underground plumbing leaks if the soil conditions are such that noises can’t be made at the leak location.
- LeakTrac Vinyl Liner Leak Detectors use patented electronics to track vinyl liner leaks with a small electric current that is induced into the pool water.
- Hydrophones (underwater microphones), special dyes, and SCUBA diving equipment are used to find leaks in the shell of plaster and concrete pools.
Fixing the leak
Once the leaks are found most simple repairs (such as one or two vinyl patches), can be made immediately. Repairs to cracks, underground plumbing, or pool equipment will most likely need to be quoted and timing for a fix arranged. Some leak detection experts perform the repairs, and some will recommend calling in a repair specialist once the problem area has been found.
Light Niche Leak