When you have a swimming pool to enjoy at home, you may spend a significant amount of time maintaining the health and structure of your pool. Even if you keep your pool in great condition, there is still a chance that you discover a pesky leak somewhere.
Swimming pool leak repair has various degrees of complexity to it. While a surface-level leak can be an easy fix, other leaks might require a more in depth repair process. We’ve put together a comprehensive guide for you to reference in case your swimming pool springs a leak and requires pool leak repair.
Identifying a Leak in Your Swimming Pool
If you want to maintain the longevity of your swimming pool, it’s good practice to consistently look for leaks. You might hire a pool technician to come to assess your pool or decide to examine it for yourself. Tests that a professional could run include:- Material checks
- Sound tests
- Dye tests
- Water measurement tests
Material checks
It’s most common for leaks to occur where two different materials meet. This may be where the skimmer, drains, and tile lines coincide. These areas can have rips in the seams or even have hairline cracks that need to be patched up. Also, while harder to detect, underground pipes that make up your pool’s filtration system are another common culprit for leaks within your swimming pool.Sound tests
When you hire a professional to determine where the leak is coming from, they will probably conduct a few sound tests with specialized tools designed for pool leak detection. These tools can pinpoint the location of the leak, and a technician will use listening equipment to track the flow of water in the underground pipes. If they hear a disruption in the flow of water, they can often target the location of the leak. Another listening device is a hydrophone, which is used to detect leaks above ground in the pool itself. Technicians are likely to use both tools to optimize the process of pool leak detection and provide the most helpful suggestions for maintenance. Knowing the location of the leak can make the pool leak repair process much smoother.Dye tests
After the sound test, technicians often conduct a dye test. This test is safe for your pool, so you don’t need to worry about the chemical balance of the water. The dye is released near leak-prone areas to easily determine the origin of the leak. Technicians watch the movement of the dye within the water to see where the leak is coming from. After the problem area is identified and fixed, a follow up dye test is conducted after the repair to ensure the leak is totally sealed.Water level tests
A third method involves the Leakalyzer, which involves sensors and data input, to calculate the amount of water the pool is losing. This can help technicians understand the urgency of the leak. Additionally, knowing how much water the pool is leaking can help you maintain the chemical balance of the pool while you’re waiting for the repair to occur. You can rely on our technicians at Manning Pool Service to help identify and diagnose any leaks in your swimming pool.Causes For Leaks in Your Pool
There may be a few different reasons why you have a leak in your swimming pool. While some of these leaks may be preventable, others naturally occur. Swimming pool technicians may be able to identify the reason the leak started, which will help you prevent new leaks in the future. Commonly occurring swimming pool leaks include:- General wear and tear: Some materials used in pool construction, like vinyl or marble, will wear down after regular use. When these materials age, you might find a leak in your swimming pool. Consider arranging regular inspections to identify problems before a leak appears.
- Ground movements: Sometimes, the ground may move as a result of tectonic plates shifting below the surface of the earth. Some movements may have a more significant impact on your pool, regardless of its age or construction.
- Poorly constructed swimming pools: If your pool was constructed quickly or cheaply, it may be more leak prone. Cheaper materials that are less resilient or areas of the pool that weren’t sealed effectively upon construction can cause serious long-term damage.
- Mechanical issues: Another cause of pool leaks are mechanical issues, which often occur when your pool skimmer breaks. However, this issue is fairly affordable and easier to resolve.
- Plumbing issues: Sometimes, a pipe connected to your swimming pool can break or burst. This may occur in the skimmer, main drain, or return pipes and the length, cost, and complexity of the repair all depend on the location of the leak.