Finding water puddles where they shouldn’t be around your pool is never a good sign. Every day that there is a leak, you’re not only losing water, but you’re also setting your swimming pool and yard up for some serious damage.
So you suspect there’s a leak, but you still might wonder, “Can I handle this myself, or do I need to call in the pros?” It’s a fair question! Let’s break down your options so you can make the best choice for your specific situation and budget.
Can You Really Find Pool Leaks Yourself?
Yes, you can absolutely find pool leaks on your own. DIY leak detection is actually pretty straightforward.
The bucket test is the gold standard and for good reason—it’s simple and effective. You only need a 5-gallon bucket, a marker, and 24 hours. Place the bucket on your pool steps (keep it partially submerged), fill it with water to match the pool’s level, and mark both water levels. Come back a day later and compare—if your pool level drops more than the bucket level, you’ve got a leak.
Food coloring is another handy DIY method. If you suspect a crack or seam is leaking, turn off your pool’s circulation system, squeeze a few drops of dye near the spot where you think the leak might be, and watch closely. If the color gets sucked into a crack or fitting, you’ve found your leak.
Remember to check your equipment pad too as this is often another source of many leaks. Look for wet spots, dripping connections, or dampness around your pump, filter, heater, and chlorinator. Some loose fittings here can be quickly fixed with just a wrench.
Another place to check is your autofill mechanism if you have one. This is designed to automatically add water to maintain the pool’s level. Make sure to turn this off when you’re doing the bucket test so you can accurately determine whether there’s been a change in your pool’s water level.
Patching Problems Yourself
Once you’ve successfully located your pool leak, you might be able to fix it yourself if you have the right products. Several effective DIY repair solutions are available at pool supply stores and online.
For tears or holes in vinyl pool liners, use underwater vinyl patch kits. These are clear adhesive patches that stick right onto the liner while the pool is still filled with water.
Small cracks in concrete or fiberglass pools can easily be fixed with epoxy putty. Just knead this clay-like material in your hands until it’s mixed, then press it firmly into the crack.
For leaky pipe connections around your pump or filter, you can use plumbing tape (also called Teflon tape) and pool-grade silicone sealant. Wrap the tape around threaded parts and apply silicone to seal gaps.
For tiny cracks in your pool’s concrete shell, try using liquid crack sealants that you pour into the crack. These flow into small spaces and harden quickly.
Just remember these are usually temporary fixes for very small cracks, not permanent solutions. For deeper structural problems or issues with your pool’s plumbing system, you’ll need to ask help from professional leak detection services like Florida Leak Locators.
When to Get Professional Help
While finding leaks using DIY methods can be very effective for obvious problems, it has limits. What might seem like a small leak can actually be hiding a larger problem underneath.
It’s nearly impossible to find hidden plumbing issues without having to use specialized equipment. Your pool has an intricate network of pipes running underground and behind walls that you simply can’t access or see visually. Professionals can help by isolating different sections of your plumbing system and pressurize them to find exactly where water is escaping.
Leaks can also be hiding beneath the surface. Hairline cracks might be too small to see but still large enough to lose significant water over time. Leak specialists will often use specialized microphones and sensors that can actually hear the sound of water escaping—something that’s impossible to detect with the human ear alone.
While the bucket test confirms that you have a leak, it doesn’t tell you exactly where it is or how severe the problem is. Professional leak detectors will dive into your pool and examine every inch with the help of high-tech cameras to find cracks that could be completely invisible from above the waterline.
With DIY methods, it could take you weeks before you can find the leak. Meanwhile, professional services can typically locate the exact source in just a single visit.
Cost: DIY vs. Professional Leak Detection
The cost of professional service typically ranges from $300 to $500, depending on location. Most companies provide comprehensive inspections that cover your entire pool system, from the shell to the plumbing to the equipment pad.
The price might seem steep compared to the DIY methods. But at home tests usually miss hidden leaks that could turn into expensive repairs down the line. The long-term savings considerations often tip the scales in favor of professional detection.
In some cases, the best approach is a combination of both: start with simple DIY methods, but don’t hesitate to call in professionals if your efforts don’t give you clear results within a week or two.
Final Verdict
So, how should you handle pool leaks? DIY or professional? It depends.
If you first suspect a leak, start with doing it yourself first. The bucket test, visual inspections, and dye testing are excellent first steps that cost almost nothing. It will confirm if you actually have a leak and in the process, you might even spot other obvious issues like damaged fittings or visible cracks.
If you’re handy around the pool, you might be able to solve the problem yourself without spending a dime on professional services.
But, if your pool continues to lose more than a quarter-inch of water per day for more than a week and those DIY tricks aren’t helping you find the leak, it’s time to call in the professionals. Trying to find an elusive leak yourself will often just lead to more water wasted.
It’ll always cost you more if you wait too long to address a small issue. Whether you try to fix it yourself, hire a professional, or a combination of both, the key is to act swiftly.
