Quick answer
Swimming pool leak detection is the crucial process of accurately finding and repairing leaks to prevent significant water loss, inflated bills, and potential structural damage to your pool and property. Key signs of a leak include rapidly falling water levels (over 2 inches per week), constantly needing to refill the pool, and cracks around the pool or on its walls. Ignoring these can lead to thousands in wasted water and costly structural issues. DIY attempts often fail, as professional services use non-invasive tools like thermal imaging, acoustic detectors, and pressure testing for pinpoint accuracy. Hiring experts ensures efficient, precise detection, saving you money and minimising future repairs.
Hidden dangers of a swimming pool leak
Is your pool secretly draining away more than just water? A swimming pool leak doesn’t just result in a loss of water, it’s losing you money and could potentially be damaging your property. If left untreated a pool leak could lead to expensive and complex repairs down the line. But can swimming pool leak detection quickly and accurately identify the leak and fix the issue before it costs you an arm and a leg? In this blog we’ll explain the hidden costs of a pool leak and why professional leak detection is the best investment you can make for your property and your wallet.
The alarming costs of ignoring a pool leak
Skyrocketing water bills
A constant leak is no different to you running a tap non-stop, naturally your water bills are going to skyrocket. Even a small leak or time can add up to a significant amount. On average if you lose 1/8 of an inch of water per day, it can amount to 15,000 gallons per month! If that wasn’t bad enough, that could cost you an additional £100 a month on top of your water bills. Hiring a leak detection service is a great investment that will save you money in the long run.
Risk of structural damage
It’s easy to look at the amount of water that you’re losing and the amount of money it costs you and think that’s the extent of the issue. But it’s what you can’t see that the biggest problem. When the water escapes your swimming pool it must go somewhere. The long-term consequences can be quite severe and depending on the location of your pool can lead to massive repair costs.
- Outdoor swimming pool: If your pool is located outside, the constant water leak will erode the soil around the pool. If this goes on for long enough without being fixed, it could also compromise the structure of the pool, which would need specialist and very expensive repairs to fix.
- Indoor swimming pool: For swimming pools that are located inside of your property, the escape of water can damage your properties foundations. Not only does this put your pool and house at risk, it will also cost you a lot of time and money to fix.
Signs that scream “I need swimming pool leak detection!”
- Rapidly falling water level: It’s not uncommon for the water level your pool to fall over time due to evaporation. But rapidly falling water levels are a sign you should look out for because it can be a clear indication that you have a leak. Carrying out the bucket test is a good way to find out if the water levels are falling fast. In just 24-48 hours you will know whether you need to contact an expert.
- Constantly refilling your pool: This one is very similar to the first point but again indicates that you have a reason to be concerned. If you’re constantly refilling your pool, it means that you’re losing a lot of water, fast. Adding more than 2 inches per week is a good indication that you’re losing more than the normal amount of water.
- Cracks appearing: Pool leaks will lead to structural issues over time and these issues can compromise the ground around the pool as well as the pool itself. If this does occur, then it’s not uncommon for cracks to begin appearing on the ground around the pool or on the walls of the pool. Cracks also create more areas for water to escape and can quickly grow. If you notice new cracks appearing then don’t waste any time, contact an expert right away.
Why DIY Often Falls Short: The Complexity of Finding Pool Leaks
Leaks are often hidden
It’s not the obvious and easily identifiable leaks that cost you money. It’s the ones you can’t see, often in underground pipework and plumbing that will eat away at your wallet and send your water bills through the roof.
Lack of knowledge and specialised tools
Unless you’re an expert it’s unlikely that you’ll have the expert knowledge and tools needed for leak detection in swimming pools. To accurately identify and pinpoint the location of a leak you’ll need a combination of:
- Thermal imaging cameras
- Acoustic leak detection tools
- Pressure testing equipment
- Leak detection knowledge
Misdiagnosis
Guesswork can result in misidentifying and misdiagnosing the problem. You may locate a damp patch and assume that it is the location of the leak, spend time and effort attempting to fix it only to discover the leak is in fact somewhere else but pooling in that area.
The Smart Solution: Benefits of Hiring Professional Swimming Pool Leak Detection
Non-invasive methods
Experienced professionals will be able to use their extensive knowledge and specialised tools to carry out the leak detection in a non-invasive manner. This limits the damage and disruption without reducing the accuracy of efficiency of the swimming pool leak detection service.
Efficiency and speed
Using the correct tools and techniques, backed up by years of hand-on experience means that a professional will be able to get the job done fast. Increased speed and efficiency also mean a reduction to the amount of disruption you face. For businesses this is vital, it means your customers will be back doing laps in no time.
Pinpoint accuracy
Hidden leaks stand no chance when it comes to expert leak detection. With tools and knowledge, a hidden leak will be located and dealt with quickly. Experts can find the exact location and reduce the amount of digging or invasive measures needed to reach the leak and make the repair.
Saves you money
On the surface it may look like you’re paying someone hundreds of pounds but you’re saving thousands. It’s an investment that means solving the problem once and getting it right first time. No damage occurring over time, no repeat visits needed, just one callout, onsite repairs when possible and job done. For businesses it means disruption is minimised and for homeowners your peace of mind is maximised and for both, you’ll keeping your money in your wallet where it belongs.
Conclusion: Why hiring a professional is a good investment
Ignoring a swimming pool leak wastes water, elevates costs, and risks significant damage to your property. Accurate leak detection in swimming pool systems requires specialised expertise and tools to precisely locate the source. If you suspect a problem, quickly hiring experienced professionals can have the problem solved in no time.
Contact us today to speak to an expert and learn more about your options, get a service booked in or a quote over the phone.
Swimming pool leak detection: Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my swimming pool has a leak?
ou can suspect a swimming pool leak if you notice a rapidly falling water level (more than 2 inches per week that can’t be attributed to evaporation, confirmed by a bucket test), are constantly refilling the pool, observe unexpectedly high water bills, or find cracks appearing around the pool shell or on its walls. Musty smells or soggy ground nearby can also be indicators.
What are the key signs of a swimming pool water leak?
Key signs of a swimming pool water leak include a significant drop in water levels beyond normal evaporation, the need for frequent refilling, visible cracks in the pool structure or decking, increased chemical consumption (as chemicals leak out with the water), algae growth despite proper treatment, and wet or spongy areas around the pool or equipment pad.
How do professionals detect leaks in swimming pools?
Professionals detect leaks in swimming pools using non-invasive, specialized equipment for pinpoint accuracy. Common methods include thermal imaging cameras to identify temperature differences caused by escaping water, acoustic leak detection to hear the sound of water escaping, pressure testing of plumbing lines to locate compromised sections, and tracer gas technology for hard-to-find underground leaks.
Can a swimming pool leak cause structural damage to my property?
Yes, a swimming pool leak can cause significant structural damage to your property. For outdoor pools, escaping water can erode supporting soil, undermining the pool’s structure or surrounding decking. For indoor pools, persistent leaks can lead to foundation damage and structural compromise of the building itself, making prompt detection crucial.
Why should I hire a professional for swimming pool leak detection instead of DIY?
While DIY methods like the bucket test can confirm a leak, hiring a professional for swimming pool leak detection is crucial because hidden leaks often require specialised knowledge and non-invasive tools that homeowners lack. Professionals offer pinpoint accuracy, efficiency, and the ability to find leaks without costly excavation, ultimately saving you money on wasted water, repairs, and potential property damage from misdiagnosis or prolonged leaks.
How much water and money can a swimming pool leak waste?
A swimming pool leak can waste substantial amounts of water and money. Even a seemingly small leak can result in the loss of thousands of gallons of water per month (e.g., 15,000 gallons), leading to skyrocketing water bills and increased chemical costs. Over time, these losses accumulate, making prompt leak detection a significant financial saving.
What is the bucket test for swimming pool leaks?
The bucket test is a simple DIY method to determine if your swimming pool is losing water due to a leak or just evaporation. It involves filling a bucket with pool water, placing it on a step or next to the pool, marking both the pool’s and the bucket’s water levels, and then comparing the drops after 24 hours. If the pool’s water level drops more than the bucket’s, it indicates a leak.
Dave Knight - Leak Detection Technical Manager
With over 26 years' experience in property damage restoration, our Leak Detection Technical Manager is a seasoned expert. He brings a specialised focus of 21 years in leak detection and trace & access claims, including 10 years as the owner of a specialist leak detection company. He uses advanced, non-invasive technology to find leaks with minimal disruption in both domestic and commercial settings. His extensive water leak detection qualifications, including WRAS and BDMA, and his experience leading projects across the UK and Europe, highlight his expertise.
