How to Check for Leaks in a Swimming Pool
- 1). Fill a five gallon bucket with water. Using a brick or rock to weigh it down, place it on a step inside the pool. If you have an above ground pool with no steps, you can sit it on the ground or deck near the pool. If inside the pool, mark the water level on the inside and outside of the bucket using the grease pencil. If on the ground or deck, mark the inside of the bucket and the pool at water level with the grease pencil. After 24 hours, check the levels. If there is a significant difference between the drop in the pool and the drop in the bucket, then you likely have a leak.
- 2). Check the pump equipment. Be sure to check the pump, heater, filter and pipe valves very thoroughly for any moisture.
- 3). Walk around the pool to be sure there isn't any water collecting around the edges, as this is a sign of a leak.
- 4). Check the pool liner. If you have a vinyl liner in your pool, you should check for tears or separation around the return, skimmer, cleaner line, lights, steps, corners and all fittings.
- 5). Fill a syringe or small eyedropper with food coloring, turn your pump system off and wait until the water is very still. Once the water is very still, slowly squirt the food coloring around the skimmer and return fittings. If the dye is pulled into a crack, you have found your leak.
- 6). Check for bubbles being blown into the pool with return water. This will indicate that there is a leak in the pump or that there is an obstruction in the line somewhere. Either way, this is damaging to your pool and needs immediate repair.
- 7). Call a professional if you are still losing water but cannot find a leak. There are some leaks that you simply will not be able to locate yourself. The longer the leak is neglected, the more damage can happen and the more costly your repairs can become.
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