Leak Detectives

Pools Can Leak

All pools leak eventually. One of the hundreds of elements that make up your pool breaks or erodes away, and water begins to pour out. Once there is a leak, it can only become more serious with time.

Does Your Pool Leak?


An excessive water bill and excessive use of pool chemicals are indicative of a leak. Water loss due to evaporation will vary from pool to pool.

To check whether your pool is leaking (or not): partly fill a bucket with water and mark the water level. Place the bucket on the top step of the pool. Also mark the level in the pool. The water in the bucket will be the same temperature, affected by the same natural elements, including rainfall, as the water in the pool. Note the water loss, both in the bucket and pool after a couple of days. Any additional loss in the pool can be attributed to a pool leak.

Is it a Static or Pressure Leak?

The leak can be a static leak, losing the same amount of water all the time; or a pressure leak, causing greater water loss when the filtering system is running.

To determine whether the leak is a static leak or pressure leak: run the pump for say eight hours, and measure the water loss. Then, over a similar period, don't run the pump and again measure the water loss. If you lose water more rapidly when the pump is running then you have a pressure leak. If you have more than one pump, do the test for each pump!

Picture: Expert Ses Steenstra, from Leak Detectives in Perth, Western Australia, searching for a leak in a swimming pool
Finding and Fixing Leaks

Pools can leak through the pump or filter (easy to spot), plumbing lines, skimmer-box or the pool shell itself. Pool-lights, tile grouting, main-drains and hydrostatic valves also are areas of concern.

A plumbing leak can be in the suction line (air leak) or return line (pressure leak). With pressure leaks, water is lost more rapidly when the pump is running.

A leak in the suction line (air in the pump, kreepy krawly doesn't work) often doesn't result in loosing water!

In combination with pressure testing, using electronic equipment, plumbing leaks can be located under soil, paving and concrete slabs, thus avoiding 'digging-up half the garden'. Plumbing leaks can be tricky to repair, the main problem being access.

Finding and fixing leaks in fibreglass shells usually is easy, using specialised electronic equipment. Although rare, very old fibreglass shells can have 'pin prick leaks'. Leaks can be easily repaired under water.

Concrete pools can leak through the grouting of the tile line. This is a common problem with old pools where the concrete decking rests on the concrete shell. Such pools are common in City Beach and surrounding suburbs. Leaks can be repaired easily under water.

With respect to vinyl liners, letting the level drop to find the leak is a no-no. Vinyl, when exposed to full sun will shrink, can become brittle, and the liner can pull itself out of the plastic beading strip, or will split. Well maintained, very old liners can have many 'pin pricks'.

Finding leaks in vinyl liners requires careful inspection of the liner, using electronic equipment, or diving gear and a syringe with dye. Multiple leaks are common. Leaks can be repaired easily under water.

Finding leaks in concrete spas can be difficult (time consuming). The main problem is that, with exceptions, air-blower lines and Venturi-return-lines can't be pressure-tested. To facilitate finding leak(s) in spas, owners should carry out certain tests beforehand. Please ring for advice.

Leak Detectives specialises in locating leaks in concrete, fibreglass and vinyl liner pools and can, in most cases, do the repairs too.

With specific exceptions Leak Detectives guarantees to find the leak(s). There is no charge if Leak Detectives cannot locate the leak(s). In the case of underground plumbing leaks, if Leak Detectives is found to be wrong in locating the leak, Leak Detectives will return the paid charges.

Guaranties


Leak Detectives (established 1999), is a WA owned and operated business, and has helped over 9000 satisfied customers. This long experience and expertise ensures that your problem leak(s) are quickly and accurately found.

With specific exceptions see (see below) Leak Detectives guarantees to locate the leak(s). There is no charge if Leak Detectives cannot locate the leak(s). In the case of underground plumbing leaks, if Leak Detectives is found to be wrong in locating the leak, Leak Detectives will return the paid charges.


Exceptions apply to No fix no Charge
(1) very old (porous) vinyl liners,
(2) "floating" liners, (the exception applies to the repair!)
(3) "home made" pools,
(4) concrete shells with extensive tiling,
(5) leaks associated with scum-gutters and automated floor cleaning systems.
(6) accurately locating leaks in air blower lines, Venturi lines, and plumbing leaks under artificial grass, and areas with trees and boulders.
(7) new concrete pools when requested by pool building company.
(8) certain fibreglass pools made by
- DJ Pools
- Barrier Reef Pools
- Compass Pools.
(9) suction leaks.