Pool leaks can be difficult to find but are often easily fixed once identified. There are a variety of common pool leak locations, and this post will go through all the steps so that you know what to look for next time there is a leak in your pool.

Disappearing water doesn’t always mean you have a leak. It could be due to evaporation. But how can you tell? The most common way is with the bucket test. Here’s a quick instructional video on how to do this test.

Once you’ve ruled out evaporation as a cause of water loss, it’s time to start looking for leaks. How can you tell where your pool is leaking? Following these steps should help you identify the root cause.

1. The first step to finding a leak is by checking the plumbing. Take a good, hard look around your plumbing including your heater, filter, pump, chlorinator – everything. Regular inspections and pool pump leak tests will help you spot loose connections and spent O-rings that are often the source of your leak. Also, these tend to make for a relatively easy repair.
2. If you have a leak in your plumbing that’s not easily visible, inspect the rest of your pool areas looking for signs of suspicious wetness. Check exterior walls, the ground around your pool, and all surrounding areas. If you have some suspected areas, take note and turn off your pump and any other mechanicals that cause your water to move.
3. Perform a dye leak test on suspected areas. Your local pool store should have leak finder dye which you can use to begin testing potential leaks. Once your water is calm, spray the dye near the suspected leak area. The dye should move towards the point of the leak and help you find it. Keep testing areas until you find your spot and mark it with waterproof tape.

With your leak identified you can move on to adding a patch or, if you have an inground pool, you can perform plaster repair. The video below shows you a dye test and a patching technique for your leaks.

1. The skimmer. The skimmer is common for small holes, cracks, and weak spots that can leak.
2. The return lines. These are also common for leaks to occur because they are thin and made of the same material as the skimmers.
3. Pool lights are another common area where leaks may occur because they tend to be plumbed into the pool’s wall, which makes them susceptible to damage or separation from the pool surface due to shifting ground around it.
4. The bottom of the pool walls. Pool wall facings can also be very weak and easy targets for leaks.

At some point it pays to know when to say when. If you’ve gone through the above steps and you’re still grasping at straws, it’s time to call a professional. Contact a reputable local repair service and have them send a technician over to look at your situation.

If you start noticing any pool leaks, doing a leak test will allow you to take action fast to fix the problem and save money in the long run. Finding a leak in a pool is not difficult to do once you know what to look for. Your best bet is to start with your equipment because those are the items that can cause a lot of damage if left unchecked.

Need more helpful pool tips? If so, check out the rest of our blog, it’s full of helpful tips to help you make the right decisions for your home’s pool. When it comes time to upgrade your pool’s accessibility features, be sure to check out our handrails and inground pool ladders. If you want to add some family fun, check out our top of the line pool slides.