Aug
2024
16
How To Know When Your Pool Is Losing Too Much Water and How To Treat It
Pool owners often know that it is normal for pool water levels to fluctuate at times. However, pools lose water gradually, so water loss that is the result of a leak can often be left undetected until it escalates into a serious problem. It’s natural for pools to lose water due to evaporation, varying in speed depending on the humidity, temperature, wind conditions, use of pool heater, or the rate of use of the pool. Losing a little bit of water does not affect your pool condition. It only becomes an issue when it’s losing too much water in the form of a pool leak. If your pool is leaking, it can damage the surrounding area, so you’ll want to catch it as soon as possible. To determine if there is a leak, finding the root cause, and treating the underlying issue will help you remedy a pool leak. This blog will outline some ways to help you identify the source of the leak and how to best treat it. If you have any questions or concerns about your pool, contact Seaway Pools & Hot Tubs today! We are experts when it comes to pool maintenance and pool installation. Call us today if you need a pool leak treated!
1. Determine if There is a Leak
A simple way to find out for yourself if you have a leak in your pool is with a bucket. First, fill up the bucket with water and place it on the steps of your pool. Make sure the top of the bucket is above water level. Since your pool and the bucket is faced with the same temperature and weather conditions, their water loss should be identical. So check back in a few days to see if it holds true. If you can see a visible difference, your pool is most likely leaking. If there’s no difference, the leak is probably somewhere else.
You can also simply inspect the outside of your pool. Look for any wet spots or cracks that would signal a leak. You can also take some long items like a broom or pole and stand them in the pool. Use a piece of tape to mark where the water level is. The next day, you can go back to the pool, put the item back in, and see if the water is below the previously measured tape. If it is, you may have a leak in your pool. Just remember that a small amount of water can naturally evaporate over the course of a day. So, if the difference isn’t very noticeable, there is likely not an issue. If there's a one-inch difference or more, this is more likely to be a leak.
2. Find the Root Cause
Before you can fix the leak, you first need to identify the root cause. Measure the difference in water loss between letting your pool filters run for a day and keeping the filter system off. If you detect more water loss when the filter is on, then the leak is on the pressure side of the plumbing system behind the impeller of the pump. If you detect more water loss when the filter is off, then the leak is on the vacuum side of the plumbing system before the impeller of the pump. However, if you lose the same amount of water in both cases, the leak may be from your actual swimming pool. For leaks caused by structural problems, you can squeeze food colouring around the cracks, and the colour will naturally pinpoint the leak. If, at this point, you still haven’t identified any leaks, call your local professionals right away.
3. Fix the Problem
Now that you’ve identified the leak, you can try to fix it. The most common leaks are skimmer leaks, which can be solved with pool putty. Liner leaks can also be fixed on your own by patching them up with a vinyl liner patch kit. Plumbing-related leaks are much more difficult to resolve and should be handled by experts. If you are unsure of how to proceed or have a more serious leak, you should consult with professionals who can accurately assess the situation and come up with a solution.
Fix Pool Leaks with Seaway Pools & Hot Tubs
Pool leaks may appear anywhere, from the surface of your pools to the lighting to the pool deck. Sometimes, they can be easy to detect and fix on your own, but some require professional attention. It is best not to troubleshoot if you are facing a more complex issue. If you have more questions or concerns, feel free to book an appointment today at Seaway Pools & Hot Tubs. We have expert staff that know the ins and outs of pool leaks and the best way to solve them. If you have any pool maintenance concerns or would like to look into a pool installation, call us today for a consultation!
