How do you know whether your swimming pool has sprung a leak or not? Simple, if you find yourself adding two or more inches of water to the pool every week, there are chances of a leak somewhere in the pool. So how do you find out where this leak is? Follow these tips to know how.
Detecting a leak
First, you need to know whether there is a leak or not. There are two ways to find this.
Skimmer Test: Mark the water level in the pool with a tape and check it after 24 hours or so. If the water level has dropped below ¼ inch, then there is definitely a leak.
Bucket Test: Fill a bucket with pool water and place it on a pool step. Mark the water levels both inside and outside of the bucket with a tape (the water levels inside and out need to be the same initially). Check the marks after a day. If the water level on the outside has dropped significantly, then there is a leak.
Detecting the location
Check the Equipment Pad: Check the pump, filter, pipe valves and heater for visible leaks. Check for any wet areas near the pool. You can do it by simply walking on bare foot around the pool and pool equipment. If you find wet soil or a sunken patch in the ground somewhere, chances are the leak is right below it. If your pool has a vinyl lining, check for separations or tears around skimmers, fittings, lights, returns, corners and steps to detect the leak.
If you cannot find any visible leaks, try another method. Fill the pool with water and stop the filtration system. Carefully note the drop in water level. If it stops dropping near the skimmer, then the leak is in the skimmer. If it stops at the lights, then the leak is in the light housing and so on.
Air bubbles forming in the return line when the pump is running would indicate a leak in the filtration system. If the water level drops even when the pump is running, then the leak would be in the return line side.
If you suspect there is a crack or tear on the wall, drop some dye into the still water near the crack/tear while the pump is off. If the dye moves towards the wall at the suspected point, then there is definitely a leak there.
Calling the Professional
If you are not able to detect the leak on your own, call a professional for help. A professional would have the necessary tools and equipment to detect and fix leaks without causing further harm to the pool or the surrounding areas. You may have to pay up to $250 for leak detection and repair. But it would be well worth the money if you can’t find the leak yourself, or if the leak is located in a place you can’t reach.
Summary
If you suspect a leak in your swimming pool, here are some tips to detect the leak. See if you can fix the leak yourself. If it is too complex for you to handle, call in a professional to get the job done. The sooner you do it, the better for your home as well as the environment.