Leak Detection & Repair
Pressure Clean Pools is fully equipped to detect leaks in your pool with state-of-the-art leak detection equipment.
Your pool will naturally lose some water to evaporation, some to splash-out and backwashing. A good rule of thumb is, if you’re routinely adding water more than once per week you may have a leak. A leak is worth spending some time and money to repair. Money can be wasted on replenishing chemicals and water to the pool.
Pools are meant to be watertight but sealants will deteriorate over time. Other parts of your pool shift and settle, or just plain wear out. Pools can leak through any of the fittings, accessories, plumbing, or even right through the shell. It is important to repair leaks, not only to save water, heat, and chemicals, but also to prevent undermining pool structural components, and washing away backfill.
If you suspect a leak, look at the following steps and then Contact Us for service:
1. Is the pool leaking only with the equipment on? With the filter pump on, the plumbing on the pressure side is…. Under pressure. This can open small drips into the spraying gushers. One inch of your pool water can equal 500 gallons.
2. Is the pool leaking only with the equipment off? It could be one of the suction lines. With the filter pump on, the plumbing on the suction side is under vacuum; air can be drawn in through otherwise leaking voids.
3. Does the pool leak all the time? This does not rule out leaks in the plumbing, but turns a suspicious eye on the shell of the pool, generally indicating cracks in the plaster, fittings, skimmer or tears in the vinyl.
4. Are there leaks at the equipment pad? Look closely at the filter, pump, heater and valves. Check the ground for moisture. Turn the pump on and off, looking closing for spraying water when the pump is turned off.
5. Does the water seem to stabilize at any level? You may be able to close the skimmer valve and allow the water level to drop below the skimmer. If it keeps going, we can rule out the skimmer (although there can always be more than one leak.) The underwater light is a common leak source.
6. Are there any wet areas around the pool? Take a walk around the pool’s edge, and between the pool and the equipment pad. Check for wet soil and eroded areas.
7. Is your pool a vinyl liner? If so, there are special considerations. Look for sinkholes where sand under the liner may have washed away. Look for tears or separations around all fittings: skimmer, returns, cleaner line, etc. Does the liner balloon out anywhere or feel squishy to-the-touch? Pay close attention to steps and corners, where the liner may be stretched more than normal. When liners become old, they may have many pinhole leaks. There can always be more than one leak.
8. Unsure of your water loss and evaporation rate? For help with leak detection, try this simple test.
9. Place a bucket of water beside the pool and mark both the water line in the bucket and the water line in the pool. Run the pump, and after 24 hours, check the loss of both. Refill the pool, and repeat the test for 24 hours with the pump off. Have both measurements ready, and call us with your results.
**Many pools leak in more than one area, so monitoring is important after any repair is made.**