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Guide to Pool Leak Detection

Owning a pool can be one of the great joys of homeownership. After all, who wouldn’t like a relaxing, refreshing oasis waiting in the backyard after a particularly rigorous workday? But owning a pool isn’t just fun and games, as a pool requires attention from you as the homeowner and a dedicated swimming pool maintenance service to keep it in optimal condition. When things go wrong with your pool, it can sometimes be difficult for the average pool owner to track down the source of the issue and provide the remedy.

That’s definitely the case when it comes to a troublesome pool leak. Your pool holds a massive amount of water, and it can sometimes be difficult to detect that your pool is leaking until you begin to see secondary indicators. Then, when you determine that you have a leak, finding it can be challenging, as well. Fortunately, there are some ways that you can determine if you have a leak that can be built into your plan for swimming pool maintenance in Cumming, GA. And when you detect a leak, there are a few tricks for finding its source. Read on to learn about detecting pool leaks and locating them.

Common Signs of Leakage

First, there are some visual indicators that you may have a pool leak that will be hard for you to ignore. They generally involve finding water where there should be none. For example, if you have a pool leak in your pool plumbing, you will undoubtedly see ponding or dripping water around your pump and pool equipment. You also may see changes in the environment around your pool, such as a spot of grass that is suddenly and inexplicably darker and lusher than the surrounding lawn. If the leak is severe enough, you may see mud holes or soggy ground begin to form around the edges of the pool or pool plumbing. If you see any of these obvious signs of a pool leak, contact your pool service of choice for a closer inspection.

The Bucket Test

Sometimes, the leak may not be a large one, but you suspect that water is escaping somewhere due to a steadily decreasing water level. When the leak is small but steady, it may be hard to convince yourself that there’s a leak at all. One of the easiest ways to determine if you have a leak is the tried-and-true bucket test. Simply fill a 5-gallon bucket with pool water and place it on the second step of your pool. Make sure that the water level in the bucket matches the water level in your pool. Mark the water level in the bucket with a black marker. Then, simply turn off your pump and wait 24 hours. If, after 24 hours, the water levels in the bucket and pool are still the same or have decreased by the same amount, any perceived water loss is due to evaporation. However, if the water in the pool is lower than the level in the bucket, you likely have a leak somewhere. Repeat the test; only this time, turn on the pump. If you didn’t lose water in the first test but get different results with the pool pump on, the leak is probably somewhere in the plumbing or pump.

The Dye Test

Once you’ve determined you have a leak, finding it can be a real challenge. One way to locate the leak if it’s in your pool rather than the plumbing is to use a dye test. Acquire liquid dye and get into your pool. Find cracks and any places where pool hardware, such as return lines and drains, pieces the pool shell. Squirt a little dye into the water near these possible leak sites. If the dye is sucked through them, that’s a good indication that they are leaking.

If you’ve concluded you have a leak but still can’t locate it using visible indicators and the dye test, it’s time to call in a pool professional. Your pool service may have specialized equipment and techniques such as drain cameras or pressurizing equipment that can help pinpoint the leak. To learn more about leak detection in your pool, contact Sunrise Pool Services at (678) 804-0050.

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Sunrise Pool Services is a company offering a wide range of pool services. From pool cleaning to pool renovation, our expert staff of pool professionals can do it all. To get started or to learn more, get in touch with us today.