A mystery leak can turn your pool from a relaxing oasis into a stressful problem
Walking out to your pool for a relaxing swim and discovering that the water level is much lower than it should be can be a sure sign that your pool has a leak somewhere. Because pool systems are complex and have many potential places where leaks can occur, your best bet is to hire a local pool repair service to find the source of the leak and repair it. Pool repair pros know all the places your pool might leak and can track down the problem so you can kick back and enjoy your pool to the fullest.
Even a small pool leak can lead to big problems down the road. Pool leaks can affect water chemistry, the pool’s structural stability, pump and filter function, and more. They can also cause damage to the area surrounding the pool and result in higher water bills.
If you suspect a leak, hiring a pool repair service to pinpoint the problem and fix it is the fastest and most reliable way to prevent further damage to your pool. The cost of detecting a pool leak is a small investment compared to the expensive repairs that may be necessary if you let the problem go too long. By hiring a pool repair service, you can be sure that the source of your leak is quickly and correctly identified and repaired by experienced professionals, averting larger problems and avoiding the costs associated with a long-term leak.
In some cases you might be able to find a leak in your pool on your own. Minor leaks may be obvious with a visual inspection of your pool and its components. You may find problems with the liner, which could indicate a leak underneath, or find water leaks around the pump, filter, or heater.
Because pool systems are complex and have a lot of parts that aren’t visible from the surface, your leak may be happening somewhere that you can’t see or access. In that case, a DIY pool inspection might not be the best plan, and you may risk your safety and potential damage to pool components. Pool repair pros, meanwhile, know all the places a pool can leak and what signs to look for.
If you do track down a leak, DIY repair attempts like leak patches or putty will probably be short-lived and may end up leading to more damage. A pool repair service can safely provide a permanent fix for the leak so you can be sure the problem won’t get worse.
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.
Plumbers are experts at finding leaks in plumbing systems, but they may not be the best choice for a pool leak. Because pools have specialized plumbing that differs from standard residential or commercial systems, a plumber who isn’t experienced in working on pools may not be able to locate and fix the problem as efficiently as a pool repair service. Many pool services have on-staff plumbers or specific pros they contract with who specialize in pool systems and have extensive experience with pool leaks.
There are many possible causes of a pool leak, so a pool repair service may check for leaks using a variety of methods, such as:
Visual inspection: The first thing a pool repair pro will do is take a look at your pool and equipment. At this stage, they may spot an obvious sign that indicates where the leak is originating.
Dye test: If the problem points to a structural leak, the pool repair pro may dive down to the suspected leak location and release dye. By tracking how and where the dye moves, they may be able to ascertain the exact problem.
Pressure test: If the leak seems to be in the plumbing, a pool pro may conduct a pressure test to narrow down where in the complex plumbing system the leak is originating. This involves isolating and testing different areas of the plumbing to track down the problem.
