How to Detect a Leak
From a water level that drops too fast to a soggy ground, leaks are a big part of owning a pool. They can start with the pool itself or they can originate in the plumbing and filtration systems. Leaks come in two main forms: air or water. Air leaks bring air into the plumbing system and result in lots of bubbles in the pump strainer pot or return jets.
Water leaks encourage water to seep out of the pool via the unit itself or plumbing. For this blog, we will focus on water leaks only.
How Do You Know Your Pool is Leaking?
Some water leaks can be detected above ground at the equipment pad, where you may spot water leaking out of a connection. Some filters feature a multiport valve which leaks water to the WASTE setting and you don’t even know about it. But when you can visibly see the leak, it’s easier to fix the problem.
If you suspect you have a leak but can’t tell where it’s coming from, try the BUCKET TEST. Switch off the auto-fill feature to do this test if you have one.
Mark water levels on a bucket with a marker or tape. Fill the bucket close to the top with pool water. Then put the bucket on the steps in the pool so most of it is submerged.
Mark the waterlines on the inside and outside of the bucket. If the outside, or pool, waterline drops much more than the inside bucket water level, you’ve got yourself a leak.
You Know You Have a Leak, But Now What?
Now that you know your pool is losing water, you still may not know exactly where the leak is coming from. Water leaks usually happen in one of two areas – either within the liner, gunite, or shell, or in the plumbing system underground. You will have to isolate the shell from the plumbing.
Plug in all inlets and outlets, such as cleaner lines, returns, skimmers, and drains. Make sure the auto-fill is off. Mark the water level with pencil or tape. This will tell you how much the water level has dropped in 24 hours when the pump is off. Try to choose a time when it’s not windy, as wind could have an impact on levels.
In the summer, it is common to lose 1/8 – 1/4 inch of water a day to wind and evaporation. If the pool loses water with the lines plugged, the shell is compromised. The liner could have a tear, there could be a crack in the gunite, or there could be a leak at the connection/fitting point. Check inside the light niche, around the skimmer, and the suction/return fittings. See if there is water loss at the main drain. Your hydrostatic plugs and valves could also be defective. Add food coloring or dye to see if there is a leak.
Underground Leak Detection
If all else fails, the underground plumbing could be the culprit. You may wonder if the leak is coming from the suction side or the pressure side. When the leak is on the suction side, water may leak from that pipe when the pump is off. When the leak is on the pressure side, water can leak out when the pump is on or off.
Use rubber plugs to isolate certain ports and lines. You may also notice a soggy or sunken ground. At this point, you will have to call your pool professional or leak detection company. They can use pressured air/water along with sonar, sound plates, and scopes to properly locate the source of the leak.
We know pool leaks are stressful, but when you have the experts at Central Jersey Pools on your side, you can rest easy. Please call us if you suspect you have a leak and we can troubleshoot the matter.