Swimming Pool Leaks & Detection

Protecting Your Custom Swimming Pool

A leaking pool can be more than just an inconvenience—it can lead to high water bills, structural damage, and costly repairs if not addressed quickly. Whether you notice a drop in water level, soggy spots around the pool, or cracks forming on your deck, it's essential to detect and fix leaks before they escalate. At Foley Pools, we specialize in professional pool leak detection and repair for custom pools in North Texas.

Signs Your Pool Might Have a Leak

It’s normal for pools to lose some water due to evaporation and splashing, but if your pool is losing more than ¼ inch per day, it could be leaking. Here are common signs of a pool leak:

Unusual Water Loss

If you're refilling your pool more often than usual, this is one of the first signs of a potential leak. Normal evaporation may cause 1/8 to 1/4 inch of water loss per day, but anything more significant—especially in cooler months or shaded areas—suggests water is escaping somewhere else.

Air Bubbles in the Pump

If you see excessive air bubbles in the return jets or your pump basket, it could signal a suction-side leak. This type of leak often occurs in the plumbing lines before the pump, causing it to suck in air instead of maintaining proper water flow. Left unchecked, this can reduce filtration efficiency and strain your pool equipment.

Wet Spots Around the Pool

Soft, soggy patches in your yard, around the deck, or under landscaping near the pool could indicate a subsurface leak. If water is seeping from a plumbing line underground, it can erode the soil, leading to instability around your pool. In extreme cases, untreated leaks can cause foundation issues or sinkholes.

Unstable Water Chemistry

A pool leak can throw off your water chemistry, making it harder to maintain balanced pH, chlorine, and alkalinity levels. As fresh, untreated water enters the pool, it dilutes the chemicals, requiring you to add more chemicals than usual. If your pH and chlorine levels fluctuate unexpectedly, it may be due to constant water loss and replacement.

Cracks in the Pool or Deck

Cracks in your pool shell, tile, or deck can be both a cause and a symptom of a leak. Water escaping through small fissures can worsen cracks over time, leading to structural damage and higher repair costs. Regular inspections help identify minor cracks before they become major problems.

Higher Water Bills

An unexplained spike in your water bill could be a red flag for a leak. Even a small leak of just a few gallons per hour can lead to thousands of gallons lost per month, significantly increasing your utility costs. If your water bill has suddenly increased without any additional usage, it's time to investigate your pool for leaks.

How Leak Detection Works

The Bucket Test

Before using advanced equipment, we start with a simple bucket test to determine whether the water loss is due to evaporation or an actual leak. A bucket filled with pool water is placed on a pool step and marked at the waterline inside and outside the bucket. After 24 hours, if the pool’s water level drops faster than the bucket’s, a leak is likely present.

Pressure Testing

If surface testing doesn’t reveal the issue, we pressure test your pool’s plumbing system. This involves sealing off different sections of the pipes and introducing pressurized air or water. If the pressure drops, it means water is escaping from an underground pipe. This method is crucial for identifying leaks in return lines, skimmer lines, and main drains that aren’t visible from the surface.

Dye Testing

For visible cracks or suspected leaks near pool walls, tile lines, steps, skimmers, and fittings, we use leak detection dye. This highly visible dye is carefully released into the water near the suspected area. If a leak exists, the dye will be pulled toward the crack or hole, confirming the leak’s location. This step helps identify surface leaks before moving to more advanced detection methods.

Advanced Testing

For hard-to-find leaks, we use advanced electronic and acoustic leak detection technology to pinpoint the exact location without unnecessary excavation. Electronic leak detection identifies even the smallest punctures in vinyl liner and gunite pools, while acoustic leak detection uses sensitive microphones to detect water escaping underground, allowing precise leak location.

Common Causes of Pool Leaks

Pool leaks can develop for several reasons, and identifying the root cause is essential for effective repairs. Here are the most common culprits:

Aging Pool Structure

Over time, gunite, tile, and plaster naturally deteriorate due to exposure to chemicals, water pressure, and environmental wear. Small cracks can develop in the pool shell, eventually leading to water loss. Older pools that haven't been resurfaced in years are especially susceptible to leaks.

Shifting Soil & Ground Movement

The expansive clay soil in North Texas swells during rainy seasons and contracts in dry conditions, putting stress on the pool shell and plumbing system. This movement can lead to cracks in the pool’s structure or shifting underground pipes, resulting in leaks. Heavy construction nearby or improper backfilling during pool installation can also contribute to soil movement and damage.

Worn-Out Pool Equipment

Pool pumps, filters, heaters, and valves all contain seals, gaskets, and fittings that wear out over time. Leaks often develop around pump lids, filter tanks, heater connections, and multiport valves due to loose or deteriorated parts. Regular inspections and maintenance help prevent these common equipment-related leaks.

Damaged Pool Plumbing

Underground plumbing plays a crucial role in maintaining water circulation, but it’s vulnerable to leaks. Pipes can crack, shift, or collapse due to ground movement, excessive water pressure, or tree root intrusion. Even small cracks in return lines, skimmer lines, or main drains can lead to noticeable water loss over time.

Poor Pool Construction & Installation

Improper installation can cause leaks from the start. If the pool shell wasn’t properly reinforced, plumbing wasn’t securely installed, or the pool deck lacks proper drainage, leaks may develop sooner than expected. Low-quality materials, rushed installation, or lack of professional craftsmanship can result in long-term structural issues that lead to costly repairs.

Cracked Simmers & Return Jets

Skimmers and return jets are areas where the pool shell meets plumbing components, making them prone to leaks. High water pressure, shifting ground, and settling over time can cause these areas to separate from the pool structure, leading to water loss and structural damage if not addressed.

How Foley Pools Can Help

Expert Repairs

Whether it's a cracked shell, plumbing issue, or equipment leak, our team provides professional repairs to restore your pool's integrity.

Innovative Techniques

Foley Pools uses electronic, acoustic, and pressure testing to precisely locate leaks without unnecessary excavation.

Customer Satisfaction

Foley Pools has a long list of satisfied clients who trust us to create stunning pools that perform beautifully, no matter the challenges.

Common Questions About
Swimming Pool Leak & Detection

  • If your pool is losing more than ¼ inch of water per day, has wet spots around the deck, or requires frequent refilling, you may have a leak. Air bubbles in the pump and unstable water chemistry are also common signs.

  • You can perform a bucket test to check for abnormal water loss and visually inspect for cracks, wet areas, or air bubbles. However, pinpointing the exact location requires professional leak detection tools.

  • Experts use dye testing, pressure testing, electronic leak detection, and acoustic listening devices to locate leaks in pool structures, plumbing, and underground pipes.

  • Common leak points include cracks in the pool shell, skimmer and return jets, underground plumbing, and worn-out pool equipment like pumps, filters, and valves.

  • Yes, even a small leak can cause a noticeable spike in your water bill over time. Constantly refilling your pool due to water loss can also disrupt chemical balance and pool efficiency.

  • Yes, a leaking pool can erode soil, cause deck cracking, and weaken your pool’s foundation. If left untreated, underground leaks can damage landscaping and nearby structures.

  • Yes, some leaks can be fixed underwater using epoxy sealants, patches, or specialized repair products. However, severe structural or plumbing leaks may require partial or full draining.

Let Us Help

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Stop Water Loss Today

Don’t let a hidden pool leak cause costly damage or spike your water bill. Foley Pools specializes in advanced leak detection and expert repairs to keep your pool in top condition. Contact us today for a professional inspection and fast, reliable solutions!

Contact Foley Pools today to schedule help on detecting a new pool leak or preventative maintenance so you can enjoy your pool worry free.