Rosie on the House: Detecting, repairing and preventing pool leaks

With the help of PinPoint Leak Detection & Repair, a Rosie on the House certified partner, let’s discuss the effects of pool leaks and how to prevent them.

Question: How big of a deal is a pool leak?

Answer: It can be a very big deal, if you don’t deal with it.

While the hot temperatures do contribute to your pool losing water, your pool shouldn’t lose more than about 1/4 inch in one day. If you find that your pool drops more than that, there’s a chance you have a leak. A leaky pool is wasteful.

Pool leaks can wreak havoc on your pool and yard without ever being visible to the naked eye. The longer they go unnoticed, the more damage they cause and the more money you’ll end up spending on repairs later on.

While repairs can always be done to reverse the damage, the lasting effects on the environment aren’t as easy to remedy. As you may know, Arizona has officially entered a water shortage. While it hasn’t directly affected residents, that doesn’t mean it’s not a future possibility. It’s important now more than ever to do what we can to conserve our water supply before it’s too late. Your pool could leak hundreds of gallons. Large commercial pools could leak thousands. Now multiply that by the estimated 20% of pools in Arizona that are leaking, and the total amount of water being wasted is unsettling.

Q: What are the signs of a pool leak?

A: While the most obvious sign of a pool leak is water loss, there are other signs to also look out for. Most common signs of a pool leak:

1. Higher water bills: While higher water bills can occur for a variety of reasons, a significantly large increase likely points to a leak. This sign is especially important for those with an auto-filler since the pool’s water level is automatically being adjusted for you. With water being automatically added, you probably won’t notice the water level dropping, so the excessive water use will only be obvious on your water bill.

2. Chemical imbalance: Balancing the chemicals in your pool should be a part of regular maintenance. Whether you do it yourself or you hire a pool maintenance professional, your pool’s water should be tested weekly and adjusted accordingly. When your pool loses water, it takes the chemicals along with it, giving algae the chance to grow. So, if you find that your pool’s chemical levels are becoming difficult to keep balanced or if algae is consistently present, a leak is likely the culprit.

3. Wet spots: Lingering wet spots in your yard or pool deck are another common sign of a leaking pool. One note to make here is that just because you find consistent wet spots in a particular spot, doesn’t guarantee that the leak is located there. Water from a leak travels. Wet spots could pop up in one area of the yard while the actual leak is in a completely different area. So, before you dig up the area with wet spots, contact a leak detection professional to pinpoint the exact location of the leak.

4. Cracked or falling tiles: Cracked tiles can naturally happen due to the movement of the Earth’s surface over time. Another reason tiles become cracked is because of the water level dropping too low. When the water drops too low, the tiles are exposed to excessive sunlight which dries them out and makes them prone to cracking. Once a crack has formed, water will find its way through and slowly begin to damage the pool’s surface and structure.

Q: How do I conduct a pool evaporation test?

A: Try this simple bucket test. It will indicate how fast the pool or spa is losing water.

1. Fill the pool to its normal level.

2. Fill an empty bucket one inch from the top with pool water.

3. Place the bucket on the first or second step of the pool. Place a few brick or rocks inside to keep it from floating away.

4. Mark the water level inside the bucket.

5. Mark the water level of the pool on the outside of the bucket.

6. Operate the pool for 24 hours just as it had been when a leak was first suspected. After 24 hours, compare the two levels. If the pool water (outside mark) goes down more than the inside water level, there is probably a leak. Call a professional pool service company or leak detection company to investigate where the leak is coming from and have it repaired.

Q: How can I avoid pool leaks?

A: The best way to avoid pool leaks is to keep up with regular maintenance and repairs. Keeping chemicals balanced, emptying baskets, vacuuming, brushing and equipment monitoring, are all a part of regular maintenance. Just like you do regular maintenance on your car to keep it in good shape, the same goes for swimming pools. On top of maintenance, perform regular equipment inspections to ensure everything is operating properly. If you notice anything is broken or not working, repair it immediately to avoid further damage to the rest of your pool and its equipment. One issue can create a domino effect of problems and before you know it, that one small repair just became multiple big ones.