Detecting pool leaks

Pool leaks can be pesky and hard to detect, going on for days or even weeks before you might notice the problem. Additionally, the process of identifying the leaks can be frustrating for the average Phoenix pool owner, especially those who do not have experience troubleshooting similar problems. However, there are several tricks that can be used to detect and locate a leak.

Before each test, you should turn your pump off to get a more accurate perspective on the problem.

First evaluate the leak
If you believe that your pool might be leaking, consider putting a piece of masking tape on the side of the pool where the water is at its highest point. Each day, look to see whether the water level is lower than it was before, and if you see more than a one to two inch drop, your pool likely has a leak.

This trick works best for in-ground pools, but can be used for above-the-ground pools as well. If you have steps in your pool, you can also fill a bucket to the same level of the water and place it in the pool. The next day, if the water on the outside of the bucket is lower than the inside, you once again will likely have a leak in your pool.

Identifying the problem area
Once you have determined whether you have a leak, the next step is trying to locate the area where water might be seeping out. With the pumps off, drop a dark dye or food coloring into the pool and see if it begins to drain toward one area or another. If the dye begins to move toward one side of the pool, follow it’s trail and drop more in incrementally.

If you begin to see that the dye is being sucked into one point of the pool’s walls, then you likely have your problem area. You can also look through all of the pool’s equipment, including skimmers, pumps, jets and filters to see if the leak might be coming from a faulty device.

Homeowners who know there is a leak, but want to leave the identification and repair processes to seasoned professionals should consider calling Poolman. This will often minimize the risks of incorrect diagnosis and repair, saving you time and money.