Pool & spa Leaks

F.A.Q.

During the past 30 years we have been detecting pool leaks, our customers on many occasions have asked these common questions. Tap on each question below:

  • Water level drops 1/4″ or more in 24 hours
  • Standing water, mushy spots, or uneven grass growth around pool
  • Abnormally high water bills
  • Automatic filler is always on
  • Abnormally high chemical or salt usage
  • Cracks in pool tile, shell or pool deck
  • Uncontrollable algae
  • Poor suction and/or bad circulation
The best way to truly determine if your pool is leaking, is to perform a Bucket Test. It does not cost anything and can easily be done by the home owner.
To determine how many inches of water your pool or spa is losing, perform a Bucket Test. And use our Calculator to estimate how many gallons you may be losing!

(Surface area in square feet multiplied by 0.6 equals the gallons of water lost when pool water drops 1 inch)
The answer to that question depends on the type of soil you have. Many times, the water simply obeys gravity and goes straight down. This can settle soil, causing movement, which includes movement of the structures built on top.

In southern California there is a lot of clay in the soil. Clay has varying degrees of expansion potential. This means that when clay absorbs water from a leak in the pool, it will actually swell and expand its total volume. This can lift and crack even the heaviest steel reinforced concrete slabs, either under the house or around the pool. It can also exert lateral pressure on pool walls, causing the pool shell to crack. Repairing this type of damage can be expensive. It is always the best option to FIND THE LEAK AND STOP THE WATER!

The swimming pool is viewed in basically three aspects:
  1. Underground Plumbing Network
  2. Structure or Shell
  3. Above-ground Plumbing and Equipment (pumps, filters, etc)