It wouldn’t be 2020 if your pool didn’t spring a leak, right!? The most important part of fixing a pool leak is noticing it early, and doing something quickly. You want to avoid any longstanding slow leaks, which can undermine the foundation of the pool, and can be quite costly to repair. The good news is that the majority of simple leaks, when found fairly quickly, are relatively inexpensive and simple to repair! Let’s figure out if your pool may have a leak.
How Much Water Should My Pool be Losing?
All pools lose water from splashing and playing, because who doesn’t do cannonballs all summer? If you live in an area where the weather is hot and your swimming pool is located in direct sunlight, good old evaporation can make pool water disappear like a magic trick. A water loss of ¼ inch to 2 inches per week is normal and nothing to be concerned about. If your pool is losing ½-1 inch of water per day, it is likely you have a leak. A good way to test your suspicion is this tried and true “Bucket Test”:
- Grab a 5-gallon bucket.
- Set it on the 2nd step in your pool, and place a heavy object in the bottom like a brick.
- Fill the bucket with water until even with the pool water line. Use a sharpie or duct tape to mark the fill line on your bucket.
- Leave it for 24 hours, and then check the water line.
- If your pool and bucket both lost water, but at the same level, you’re just dealing with evaporation. Yay! Go for a swim!
- If your pool lost more water than your bucket, you’re probably dealing with a leak.
Symptoms of a Leak
Besides noticing a change in the water level of your pool, here are some other signs that you may have a leaking pool:
- Wet spots in your yard
- Increasing water bills
- Corrosion or pooled water around the pump equipment
- Ongoing Algae growth
- Cracks in the tiles
Identifying the Leak
There are several places where pools can spring that pesky leak. Check out some of the likely culprits first like: the skimmer, conduit pipes around a light fixture, the pump equipment, the vinyl liner itself, and sometimes even the underground piping.
Repairing the Problem
Some of these leaks are simple fixes, but the easiest and most efficient way to get that leak checked out and repaired is by contacting us! We are always here to help. Let our friendly and professional service technicians give you the peace of mind that the job was done right, and get you back swimming in your pool in no time! All of us here at Energy Center- Manhattan Pool are dedicated to providing the best service you can find.
