Swimming pool leak detection procedures.

This article series describes the use, operation, maintenance as well as common problems, troubleshooting, & repair suggestions for hot tubs, spas, swimming pools and whirlpool baths. We discuss hot tub leaks, broken hot tub or spa jets, hot tub or spa water temperature & heater repair, hot tub or spa pump diagnosis & repair, hot tub or spa filter maintenance, cleaning & repair, noisy air pumps at hot tubs, noisy water pumps at the hot tub or spa, and other hot tub, spa or whirlpool bath diagnosis & repair topics.

Swimming pool, spa, or hot tub leak detection methods

By understanding the types of leaks that occur at swimming pools or similar structurs such as spas or hot tubs, you will have a more-effective approach to detecting a pool leak and finding its cause or source.

Three basic swmming pool leak types

1. A sudden burst pipe or valve failure
   
   above ground: the pool may empty completely very quickly and you'll see flooding or flooded water nearby. This is probably the least-common swimming pool leak.
2. A smaller leak in the swimming pool piping or water handling equipment
   
   such as valves, controls, pool pump, filter, backwash controls. Leaks may range from a drip to a much faster leak and may be quite visible if the leak point is in pool piping or controls that are visibly accessible - above ground, but may be totally hidden if the leak is in buried piping such as around a pool drain or beneath a poolside skimmer.
3. A leak in the pool structure or shell,
   
   varying depenging on materials involved, such as a crack in a concrete pool, a tear or hole in a vinyl pool liner, or damage to a metal pool surround and vinyl or plastic pool liner, or a crack in a fiberglass pool, spa, or hot tub. Pool experts may call this a "pool shell leak".

Photo: the editor relaxes in a completely empty (and now abandoned) swimming pool at the Hidalgo Hacienda (2018).

[Click to enlarge any image]

7 Swimming or other Pool or Tub Leak Detection Methods

1. First check for visibly obvious swimming pool leaks
   
   such as visible drips at piping or pool controls or wet spots in the ground near the pool.
2. Water meter readings for swimming pool water usage:
   
   If your swimming pool make-up water is metered, check your water usage rate compared with prior years at the same season.
3. Swimming poool vaporation test or "bucket test"
   
   If the water level in your pool has been dropping faster than usual, and if weather conditions have not changed significantly (sunlight, temperature, wind, humidity) there may be a pool leak.
   
   A crude "bucket test" is described by pool experts as a way to see if your swmimming pool's water loss is faster than due to simple evaporation: set a straight-sided bucket such as a joint compound bucket of water alongside your pool.
   
   Measure the distance from bucket top edge to water top. Measure the distance from pool water top to a suitable reference line such as the coping top or the line formed by a decorative band around the pool interior walls.
   
   Compare the water level drop in the pool to that in your straight-sided bucket each day for a few days. If the pool level is dropping measurably-faster then there is probably a pool leak.
4. Swimming pool wall, floor, coping, or surround damage inspection:
   
   Look at the pool sides and bottom for visible damage such as a crack or tear.
5. Check for signs of leaks in the pool piping and controls.
   
   Compare apparent pool water leak rates with pump system on or off - this can point to pump or pressurized water line leaks
6. Confirm swimming pool suspected leak points by using a tracer dye
   
   Some pool companies use a non-toxic dye to color water near points of suspected leakage such as in a pool wall or floor. Releasing water staining dye close to suspected leak points will result in dyed water flowing towards the leak point if one is present and the dye is released close to the leak.
7. Pool leak detection experts
   
   in your area may use ultrasound or hydrophonic leak detection equipment or you may be able to rent such equipment. In our OPINION it's time to hire a pool leak detection service since that equipment will probably be much more reliable when in the hands of someone with experience in pool leak source detection.

Watch out: leaks around a swimming pool can be very dangerous if there is any nearby electrical wiring or equipment such as the pool pump and filter system or underwater lights.

If you have these features and are concerned about a pool leak, get help from a local swimming pool expert or a licensed electrician.

Specialists in Pool Leak Detection

• America's Swimming Pool Co. (ASP) [Franchise operation - Ed.], Website: https://www.asppoolco.com/ [No other contact information found at website 2021/07/27 - Ed.]
• Bonfiglioli Engineering, Email: us.sales@bonfiglioliengineering.com Tel: +1 414 574 4344 [No other contact information found at website 2021/07/27 - Ed.]
  
  Website excerpt: Engineers of custom leak detection and packaging integrity system solutions We provide non-invasive, non-destructive packaging inspection solutions.
• CA DWRM AWWA WATER AUDIT: Leak Detection Guidebook [PDF] (1986) CA Department of Water Resources & AMerian Water Works Association,
• Dixit, Rucha, Harshali Chaudhari, Shital Jadhav, and Komal Jagtap. "Water Level and Leakage Detection System with its Quality Analysis based on Sensor for Home Application." International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) 4, no. 11 (2017): 2395-0056.
• H20 WATER LEAK DETECTION [PDF] H20 Building Servcies, web: h2obuildingservices.co.uk
  
  Includes description of LNC - Leak Noise Correlation.
• LeakScience, Phoenix, AZ, USA, Tel: 480-794-0959 Web: https://www.leakscience.com/
• LeakTronics/Torque Lock 28438 Roadside Dr Agoura Hills, CA 91301 USA, Tel: (818) 436-2953 Email: info@leaktronics.com Web: https://leaktronics.com/
  
  offers training in swimming pool leak detection methods, and leak detection equipment such as special purpose ultrasound hydrophones that can track down points of leakage even in buried swimming pool components or piping
  
  Website excerpt:
  Based in Los Angeles, CA, LeakTronics serves their customers around the world with manufacturing, distribution and training.
  
  LeakTronics hydrophones offer modern technology that identifies the precise location of leaks in swimming pools, water features, spas and hot tubs and any vessel that holds water, regardless of the size.
  
  Other equipment designed by LeakTronics accurately locates leaks in pipes and plumbing lines, irrigation systems, in-floor heating, vinyl liners and more. Users easily identify leaks under concrete, soil, aggregate and landscaping, flooring and decks, in walls, behind tile – wherever a leak happens.
  
  The highly sensitive equipment from LeakTronics will identify where the leak occurs so repairs can be made.
• Suara, Kabir Adewale. "Pressure sensing in vicinity of leaks for leak detection." PhD diss., King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (Saudi Arabia), 2013.
• TM Electronics, 68 Barnum Road, Devens, MA 01434-3508 Tel: (978) 772-0970 Web: http://www.tmelectronics.com/
  
  Products for leak detection, leak, flow package testers serving industry
• TSI Energy Solutions, P.O. Box 705 Carmel, IN 46082 USA Email: info@tsienergysolutions.com Tel: 317-846-4655 or 800-481-5748 Web: https://tsienergysolutions.com/
  
  Pool leak detection using ultrasound. Air barrier testing, building diagnostics, infrared electrical scans, leak detection, roof moisture surveys, utility management for commercial construction nationwide.
• U.S. DOE SWIMMING POOL COVERS [PDF] U.S. DOE - describes saving pool heating costs but a cover can also reduce swimming pool water loss by evaporation.
  A swimming pool cover can reduce the amount of make-up water needed by 30-50%.
• Web search: simply use any search engine or map search for "Pool Leak Detection" to find pool leak detection companies and services in your area.
• Also see SINKHOLES & SUBSIDENCES - home
• Also see PLUMBING LEAK DETECTION METHODS

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Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

On 2023-07-07 by InspectApedia Publisher (mod) - how to check for a sinkhole developing at a leaky swimming pool

@Randi,

Yes, any persistent water leak underground or a single large leak event can displace soil or compress it causing a sinkhole.

Without digging up the area around your pool, in our OPINION there are several approaches to detecting a local sinkhole caused by swimming pool leaks.

1. Secondary clues of swimming pool sink hole development

nearby soil subsidence

movement in surrounding walks close to the pool

displacement of the pool drain or other pipes - a broken joint at the drain, for example

cracks or movement in the swimming pool coping, sides, or floor

if the site is not flat, look also for water seepage to the surface downhill from the pool area

2. Chain dragging:

if the pool is empty of water and is concrete - as is yours - you can try dragging a heavy chain in a regular pattern across the pool bottom, listening to a change in the sound produced. I know this may sound a bit spooky but it works. We and others have used this method for over a century to find voids below concrete slabs such as settlement beneath a garage floor slab.

We discuss chain dragging to find voids below concrete floors

at SETTLEMENT vs. SHRINKAGE CRACKS 

3. Ultrasound, hydrophonic equipment or even ground scanning radar or similar techniques are used by pool leak detedtion experts as well as by geotechnical engineers, but without knowing more about your particular situation and the concerns or risks involved this approach may not be cost-feasible.

Note that here we're discussing possible signs that a sinkhole has developed alongside and/or beneath an in-ground concrete swimming pool. Aboveground pools or steel pools won't sport all of the same leak symptoms.

On 2023-07-07 by Randi - The pool has been leaking significantly for the last 10 years.

We have a very 40x20 concrete pool (10ft deep in deep end) that is 67 years old.

The pool has been leaking significantly for the last 10 years. We were recently told that this leaking can create a sinkhole under/around the pool.

Looking for a way to find out if this is possible and how do we detect this without digging it up. We are located in Delaware county ny along the Delaware River area.

This Q&A were posted originally

at SINKHOLES in NEW YORK 

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Continue reading  at SPA, HOT TUB, SWIMMING POOL INSPECTION & CODES or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

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