How To Find A Leak In Your Pool

In general, there are 4 separate areas to check when swimming pools leak.

1. Pool plumbing lines: Pressure side of the pump.
   The pool loses more when the pool pump is running.
2. Pool plumbing lines: Suction side of the pump.
   The pool loses more when the pool pump is off.
3. Vinyl Liner or Concrete or Fiberglass surface
   The pool loses the same amount when the pool pump is running as when the pool pump is off.
4. Filter system and accessories.
   The pump, filter, heater, chemical feeders, cleaners, light niches, faceplate screws, etc….

Do you lose more, less, or the same amount of pool water when the pump is on versus when the pump is off?

Things that the homeowner can easily check for first:

1. Is water going out the backwash line while the pump is on?
2. Make sure the ladder “rubber bumpers” are securely in place and that the ladder hasn’t torn the liner.
3. Look for wet spots on the ground around the pool and filter area.
4. In concrete or fiberglass pools, do you have a hydrostat relief valve in the main drain? (Most vinyl liner pools will not have this)
5. With pump off, tighten all screws on skimmer, light, return, step (may have to remove trim), and main drain (may have to remove the cover to get to the sealing ring. Make sure the safety cover is reinstalled properly before running the pool pump).

The number one cause for holes in the pool liner is the telepole with no attachment on the end such as a net or brush. The number two cause for holes in pool liners is no rubber bumpers on ladder rails.

With Your Pool Pump Running

1. Get a 5-gallon bucket.
   1. Place a mark in the middle on the inside.
   2. Fill the bucket with pool water to the mark
   3. Place on a step in the pool or on the pool deck next to the pool. (The bucket of water is used for comparison of water loss from evaporation or gain due to rain.) Try to keep the water in the bucket as close to the temperature as the water in the pool.
2. Place a mark on the skimmer 3″ below the top of the skimmer
   1. Fill the pool up to the mark on the skimmer and then document the following:
      1. The current time
      2. The water temperature
      3. The outside temperature at day and night
      4. Is it very windy out?
      5. Is there a solar blanket on the pool?
   2. After 12 or 24 hours measure how much the water level dropped.
   3. Measure how much water dropped in the bucket.
3. Compare water loss/gain in the pool to the bucket. If you have the same amount of loss you probably do not have a leak.

Likely Diagnosis: Water Evaporation

With Your Pool Pump Off

1. Get a 5-gallon bucket.
   1. Place a mark in the middle on the inside.
   2. Fill the bucket with pool water to mark
   3. Place on a step in the pool or on the pool deck next to the pool. (The bucket of water is used for comparison of water loss from evaporation or gain due to rain.) Try to keep the water in the bucket as close to the temperature as the water in the pool.
2. Place a mark on skimmer 3″ below the top of the skimmer
   1. Fill the pool up to the mark on the skimmer and then document the following:
      1. The current time
      2. The water temperature
      3. The outside temperature at day and night
      4. Is it very windy out?
      5. Is there a solar blanket on the pool?
   2. After 12 or 24 hours measure how much the water level dropped. **This time frame should match the time frame used when the pump was running.
   3. Measure how much water dropped in the bucket.
3. Compare water loss/gain in the pool to the bucket. If you have the same amount of loss you probably do not have a leak.
4. Now compare loss/gain to that when the pump was running.

This is a good time to talk to Advanced Spa And Pool’s service department to discuss findings and the next step. 603-579-2727.

With Your Pool Pump Off – Part 2

1. Put your winter plugs in your returns, cleaner line, and step return.
2. Place a mark on skimmer 3″ below the top of the skimmer
   1. Fill pool up to the mark on the skimmer and then document the following:
      1. The current time
      2. The water temperature
      3. The outside temperature at day and night
      4. Is it very windy out?
      5. Is there a solar blanket on the pool?
   2. After 12 or 24 hours measure how much the water level dropped. **This time frame should match the time frame used when the pump was running.
3. Now compare loss/gain to that when the pump was running.

If you did not lose any water, then you have a leak in the plumbing line. You will need to call Advanced Spa And Pool for service and further testing.

If you still lost water proceed to the next steps.

With Your Pool Pump Off – Part 3

1. Leave everything else plugged and plug your skimmer with your gizzmo or winter plug.
2. Place a mark on skimmer 3″ below the top of the skimmer
   1. Fill pool up to the mark on the skimmer and then document the following:
      1. The current time
      2. The water temperature
      3. The outside temperature at day and night
      4. Is it very windy out?
      5. Is there a solar blanket on the pool?
   2. After 12 or 24 hours measure how much the water level dropped. **This time frame should match the time frame used when the pump was running.
3. Now compare loss/gain to that when the pump was running.

If you did not lose water then you have a leak in the skimmer line. You will need to call Advanced Spa And Pool for service and further testing.