Pool leak detection costs an average of $300, but prices can range from $100 to $1,000 on average, depending on the complexity of the issue.
You head out for your early morning laps and much to your chagrin, the water looks a bit lower than it was the day before. So do you have a pool leak, or is it evaporation? Pool leak detection costs an average of $300—not including the cost of the leak repair itself—and up to $1,000 if you have an inground pool and need to dig a bit deeper to find the problem. Finding a pool leak on your own can be complicated, especially if you have an inground pool with complex piping and electrical elements.
Pool leaks can come from all around the system. You can have a crack in your pool liner, in the skimmer gaskets, and even—in a worst-case scenario—in the pool pipes. Your local pool pro will have specific tactics to narrow down the source with minimal disruption and costs.
A pool will lose between 1/4 to 1/2 inch of water per day from normal evaporation or usage. If you find your pool is losing more than that, contact a pool specialist who can use leak detection equipment to diagnose the issue.
If you're dumbfounded about ongoing pool issues and suspect a possible leak, consider scheduling a pool inspection, which costs between $125 and $250. The pro will ensure that the lining, gaskets, railings, steps, skimmers, and all other permanent accessories are properly intact. They will also check your chemical levels, mechanical elements, and electrical hookups. You will then receive a list of suggestions about how to fix leaks or avoid them in the future.
If you need to have more extensive areas of your pool inspected to find the leak—such as in your underground pool plumbing—they may recommend additional work.
Above ground pools will cost comparatively less to inspect and repair than inground ones. Not only are they easier to inspect from the exterior, but you don't have to worry about inground plumbing, drains, or pumps. Inground pool leak detection can cost a bit more on average, especially if you need to drain it or inspect complex plumbing.
| Pool Type | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Above Ground | $100–$700 |
| Inground | $400–$1,000 |
Your pool will likely feature one of three exterior materials: vinyl, fiberglass, or concrete. The cost to replace a pool liner highly depends on the material, particularly when replacing the entirety of the surface.
| Liner Material | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Vinyl | $350–$3,600 |
| Fiberglass | $300–$400 |
| Concrete | $75 per linear foot |
The location and the extent of the leak will sway the prices to both inspect and repair the issue. If your pool expert offers an hourly rate, you'll pay between $75 and $125 an hour for the service. In some cases, an obvious tear in the liner will cost little time to find.
In others, they may need to perform a pressure test to find a leak in an underground pipe or drain your pool to get a closer look. Here are some leak detection and related repair costs by the source.
| Test/Repair | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Pool Line Pressure Test | $200–$500 |
| Liner Repair | $100–$3,600 |
| Pool Light Repair | $65–$150 per light |
| Main Drain Repair | $100–$250 |
| Pool Pump Repair | $400–$700 |
| Pool Tile Repair | $20–$30 per linear foot |
If you're lucky enough to discover a small, accessible leak, a waterproof patch may do. Beyond this, you will likely need to resurface your pool, replace a liner, or even excavate part of your lawn to reach and repair the culprit.
Pool repair costs can creep up when your repair team has to dig to find the cause of the leak. Keep in mind that they will typically only go this route when all other tests fail to pinpoint the problem. Pressure tests are often the first and far less invasive step.
Land excavation can cost as little as $500 or up to $5,000 for much larger and harder-to-access areas. In the best-case scenario, your team will find the cause of the leak with a pressure test and then only need to excavate around the leaky pipe.
Depending on the type of pool you have and its age, leaks around the walls and floor of your pool are not uncommon. Recoating a fiberglass pool will cost between $300 and $400 while the price to replace a vinyl pool liner will cost between $350 and $5,000, with the low end reserved for above-ground pools. In the most extreme case, the cost to resurface the whole pool costs an average of $11,000. This is only necessary if your team finds multiple leaks and suspects that starting fresh is best for your bottom line.
In many cases, a simple patch or leak repair to your pool's surface will do the trick. Most DIY pool repair kits for fiberglass and vinyl pools cost between $10 and $20. Hydraulic cement for concrete liner patches costs under $50 on average. Other types of pool surfaces, such as gunite and tile, will require a specialized epoxy and even a patch to replace the damaged pool surface area. Pool tile for a small area will typically cost an additional $20 to $30.
If your pool professional needs to drain the pool to find the leak, they will often work this time into the overall flat or hourly fee at little cost. That being said, it can add between $180 and $230 for the time and tools. The cost to fill a pool with water averages $180 but can vary depending on whether you hire a water delivery company or use a hose.
Nearly 100% of the fee for pool leak detection comes down to labor. After all, you're paying for the expert eye of your pool professional. However, part of the cost may include basic tools such as pool leak detection dye, excavation equipment, and pool draining tools.
Water has a habit of causing related damage, even outdoors. If the leak went undetected for a while, it could have caused related damage to your pool's structure and surrounding lawn. Pool leaks can even throw off your water's chemicals over time. Here are some more extensive pool remodeling costs to consider.
Pool repair pros will do everything they can to avoid having to disrupt your lawn to find a leak. A pool line pressure test costs between $200 and $500 and can pinpoint the location of a leak without the need to break out a shovel. Finding a leak in your pool lines is also a doable DIY project and can cut costs to between $50 and $100.
When the source of the pool leak lives around your lighting, pool light repair can cost between $65 and $150 a light. Replacing the light is a bit more complicated and can cost up to $630 for the entire fixture.
Your pool pro will also investigate whether there is a leak in or around the skimmer. A simple fix, such as tightening the screws, may be necessary, but larger repairs cost between $100 and $250. Replacing the pool skimmer costs an average of $1,200.
When the source of the leak comes from the drain itself, repairing a main drain will cost between $400 and $700. Professionals will need to drain your pool to address the leak, drawing out the process and increasing the price.
Most pool pumps can last between eight and 12 years, but pressure issues and clogs can lead to leaks and other issues. The cost of pool pump repair can cost anywhere from $50 and $300 on average. Replacement costs an average of $1,700, so it's best to get ahead of the problem before that's necessary.
Replacing pool tiles costs between $20 and $30 per linear foot. You may end up retiling an area of your pool after pinpointing the leak and repairing the liner, drain, plumbing, and any of your pool's mechanical elements.
The coping behind your inground pool wall is meant to keep water from slipping behind your pool wall. Replacing coping costs between $30 and $50 per linear foot.
Structural damage to the pool beam below an inground pool floor or wall will cost an average of $75 per linear foot to replace.
Land leveling, regrading, and landscaping can all counteract the erosion caused by a significant pool leak. Residential leveling costs break down to soil removal for $8 to $25 per cubic yard and grading for $1 to $12 per cubic yard.
You can test the chemicals of your pool with an at-home kit for just $15. If you want to bring in a specialist to rebalance your pool after a large leak, pool maintenance teams cost between $50 and $100 an hour on average.
Mastering DIY pool leak detection can take some time, but it is a good first step in the process. You'll only need a bucket from around the house and some swimming goggles if you need to take a closer look. Repairing the leak yourself is another story. Putty, waterproof tape, and other basic patching supplies can run you between $30 and $45.
Keep in mind that pool leaks can escalate quickly. If you are not able to catch the extent of the leak on your own, it's important to call a local pool repair service professional quickly. Yes, you will pay an average of $300 for the search, but this is a safer bet if you need to interact with any electrical or mechanical components.
Like all leaks, pool leak detection will cost far less if you catch it early. Cracks and holes can spread over time, leading to damage in harder-to-access areas in your pipes and pool beams.
We always recommend building trust with a local pool pro and scheduling an inspection once a year. Not only will you become more familiar with their pricing—and cut down the chance of a surprisingly high bill—but they will get to know your pool to increase the chances of early leak detection.
Lastly, keep an eye on the level of your water when you balance the chemicals each week. While pools without covers can lose around a quarter-inch of water a day in the summer, anything more than this should send up a red flag.
Pool leaks are most likely to occur in the joints throughout the design. Pool skimmer leaks are most common, for example, with leaks around the edge of the liner and the lights close behind. And while pool leaks from cracked pipes are a true headache, they are thankfully not as common.
Pool leak detection dye is a great way to test specific areas of your pool for unbalanced water flow. By releasing the dye close to possible trouble areas—like around the seal of the skimmer—you can narrow down the potential crack. However, it's best to call a professional pool repair team near you if an initial patch does not keep your water level from lowering.
Yes, small pool leaks are fixable with waterproof patches and sealants. It is always best to avoid draining a pool if you can, since doing so safely takes time, patience, and a whole lot of water to refill it. Larger pool leaks may require draining, but in this case, it's best to call in a professional.
