What are the Services for Pool Leak Detection?

If you own a pool, you have a great spot to hang out with family and friends, exercise, and relax. Yet much like with a boat, house, or car, regular and preventative maintenance, like pool leak detection, may help keep your pool in top shape for years to come.

Pool leaks don’t necessarily spell disaster, though. Early pool leak detection can save you a lot of money in repairs by preventing the problem from getting worse. Recognizing the signs of a pool leak is important.

Causes of a pool leak

A leak in a pool is a common problem that frequently occurs over time. While some leaks are simple to locate and fix at a low cost, others may call for specialized equipment at a higher price.

Swimming pool leaks can occur for many different reasons.

• Difficulties with the pad that holds the pool’s equipment
• Pipes in the pool deteriorate from the sun
• Soil compaction in the pool area
• Failing to winterize the pool properly

The Most Obvious Signs Your Pool Is Leaking

Puddles in the yard

Of course, lawn watering or rain could also account for this. But if you see puddles that won’t dry, it could be a sign of plumbing problems below the surface.

Tiles break or shift

Over time, there’ll be a shift in the soil around your pool due to the weight of the water. But if there are suddenly many large gaps or cracks, it may be a sign of a leak. This might result from the saturated soil in the area.

Soaring water bills

If water leaks out at a rate that causes an increase in your water bill, you have undoubtedly already observed a drop in pool water levels. But automatic fill systems are available to the public and help people maintain adequate levels at all times.

You may wonder what’s going on when you get a shockingly big bill.

Experiencing water loss

The most obvious symptom of a leak in a swimming pool is water loss. But you also need to take into account that some water will be lost through evaporation, especially in the summer. However, there are a few more warning signs to watch if your water level drops significantly lower than usual.

Algae growth

If you use an automatic filling system, there is a chance that adding new water all the time will dilute the sanitizer in your pool. Algae tend to bloom more frequently than usual when this occurs.

Pool Leak Detection: Two Testing Methods

There are a few ways to check for leaks if you have reason to believe there might be one. Still, if you think there is a leak in the underground plumbing, a trained professional at Fox Pools should do a pressure test.

Ink Method

The ink procedure can be carried out with dark food coloring or a pool leak detection dye. It works best if you have a general idea of where the leak could be. You may want to wear goggles if you’re going to be doing any of the work underwater.

Simply squirt some dye into the water along the wall where you believe the leak may be. If you are close enough, dye will creep toward and eventually penetrate an object.

The only caution when using this test is to remain as motionless as possible to avoid disturbing the dye.

Bucket Method

If you want to rule out evaporation as a cause of water loss, the bucket method is the simplest and most common approach.

With this technique, you’ll need to switch off the pool pump and place a bucket containing five gallons of water adjacent to the pool. The next step is to make a mark at the level of the water in the bucket and the pool. If the pool evaporates more water than the bucket in 24 hours, there is likely a leak.

The next step is to make a mark at the level of the water in both the pool and the bucket. If they are both losing the same quantity, though, it is likely just evaporation.

Alternatively, it is best to fill the bucket until it is at the same level as the water in the pool and set it on the second or third step. A leak exists if, after 24 hours, there’s a lower water level than the bucket level.

Pool leak detection: conclusion

Finding pool leaks can be challenging, but these strategies and some patience will help. But remember that it’s best to have a professional handle any major repairs, including plumbing. It may be more expensive in the long run, but it will save you from damaging your expensive machinery and requiring more extensive repairs. Fox Pools is home to pool care professionals well-versed in pool leak detection. Don’t hesitate to call us for all your pool repairs, inspections, and service needs.