Several things can cause a leak, including soil subsidence (saturation, setting, bad fill), trees (aggressive roots), construction mistakes, temperature change, chemical imbalance, settling, re-plaster/ remodeling.
How can swimming pool and spa leaks be repaired?
Some leaks, such as small structural leaks, can be easily repaired WITHOUT draining the pool. Using underwater type epoxies or patching plasters is the most common way of dealing with this type of leak. Buried plumbing leaks require a more extensive repair. Broken or cracked pipes under decking usually call for cutting the decking to reach the repair site. Sometimes it is easier and less expensive to seal off the leaking system and install a new one.
Can I do it myself?
Instructional books and cheap "leak detection kits"
can only help you try to find the leak. About 50% of leaks
are "structural" and can be located by the layman.
The other 50% are plumbing related or unreachable by the homeowner.
So you bought a booklet or a "leak detection kit"
and you even locate a flow of water being sucked into an outlet
(return fitting) on the wall of the pool, indicating a hidden
plumbing leak. Now what? For testing plumbing, you'll need
plugs for pressurizing the system in question, a pressure
testing device with a gauge, and a locating device. Still
want to do it yourself? Plugs range from five to twenty five
dollars each, a pressure testing device around one hundred
dollars even if make your own and you'll need a locating device,
they start at three hundred something and go up to twenty
two hundred dollars. An instruction book or "leak detection
kit" can only go so far. Too often for the pool owner,
these approaches result only in frustration and wasted money.
Our advice: call a pool professional, a certified member of
APSP.
What is a skimmer?
A skimmer is a device built into an opening in the side of the pool at the water line. Its purpose is to allow the pump / filter system to draw water from the surface only. A floating door called a weir (a direction changing device) directs the surface flow. Ideally, floating debris on the surface is removed before it sinks to the bottom. A basket is provided inside the skimmer to catch debris. Skimmers are manufactured in a variety of types and sizes. All use a weir.
I saw your "Bucket Test" page and conducted a bucket test. I am losing water for sure. How can I tell where the leak is?
The bucket test should be conducted twice. The test needs to be conducted with the pump on, then again with the pump off. 1.) If the loss of water is greater when the pump is ON, the leak is likely in the plumbing or equipment 2.) If the water loss is the same regardless of the pump being ON or OFF, the leak is likely in the structure or suction line(s). For our purposes here, "structural" includes: skimmer throat, light, tile line, spillways, water features, and any place a pipe or conduit penetrates the outer concrete shell.
Where are common structural leak areas (to check with dye testing)?
Tile line
Skimmer bond to pool
Skimmer throat (Grout between edge of tile and plastic edge of skimmer assembly).
Lights - conduit, grounding screw, niche bond to pool.
Pipe openings in pool (eyeball fittings and around the edges of fittings).
Cracks - Many plaster pools have tiny cosmetic cracks that don't leak)
Vinyl liner corners
Main drain and built-in floor cleaning systems
I am buying a home with an existing pool. How do I know for for sure that the pool doesn't leak?
Home inspectors usually check a pool or spa pump / filter by simply turning it on and looking and listening for obvious problems. However there are a number of items and functions that some home inspectors miss. An inspector or prospective buyers often need to know a little more about pool and spa inspections. Speak with your realtor about the possibility of contacting a qualified pool and spa technician or the company that maintains the pool.
I can't find a competent pool professional
in my area (or I’m a cheapskate and insist on a freebie).
What advice can you give me?
Go to your local convenience store, and get several (5 or
6) FREE coffee creamers (the kind in the little plastic cups
with the peel off foil cover). You should buy a coffee to
be courteous. Fill the pool or spa to normal operating levels.
When the WATER IS CALM (at least an hour after shutting off
pump) lie prone on the deck in order to reach and see close
up. A small telescoping mirror can be helpful, available at
auto supply stores (not free). Poke a tiny hole in the foil
cover of the FREE coffee creamer and VERY GENTLY holding the
FREE creamer container, lower your arm into the water. Try
to be slow and not stir up unwanted currents. Let a tiny stream
of the FREE creamer out of the cup within one quarter inch
of any openings in the pool. A leak will draw the FREE creamer
into like smoke in a draft. You should do this along the tile
line, skimmer throat, around the edge of the light, ports
or pipe openings, suspect grout, changes in structure and
cracks. Sometimes a structural leak will reveal itself by
gathering debris or look dusty or algae filled. Leaks in main
drains and floor systems usually require a qualified scuba
diver / pool professional or specialized proprietary tools
that we have developed, which are not FREE. With good light,
good luck and timing you may locate the problem plumbing or
structure. The FREE "creamer test" is not the best,
but it can work.
Recently, we stumbled upon a perfect example of how NOT to
conduct the FREE "creamer test". We're not sure
where they got the idea about using fishing line. It's all
in good fun and it's pretty funny. Kudos to these folks for
their creativity.
