Signs Your Pool Is Leaking

On hot, dry days in Thousand Oaks, it is normal for a pool to lose some water to evaporation. But if you find yourself topping off the pool much more often than usual, there may be a leak. Leaks waste water, can damage the ground around the pool and can let the pump run dry.

Common Signs of a Leak

The water level drops faster than usual. A steady drop even on cool or calm days is a red flag.

Wet spots or soft ground. Soggy areas near the pool or around the equipment pad can point to a leaking line or fitting.

Cracks or loose tile. Gaps in plaster, tile or the deck can let water escape.

Air in the system or rising water bills. Bubbles in the return jets or a higher water bill than usual can both hint at a leak.

The Bucket Test

A simple bucket test helps separate evaporation from a leak. Place a bucket on the pool steps, fill it with pool water so the level inside matches the pool, and mark both water levels. After a day, compare the two drops. If the pool drops noticeably more than the bucket, a leak is likely.

Run the test once with the pump on and once with it off. The results help narrow down whether the leak is in the plumbing or in the pool shell.

Where Leaks Often Hide

Leaks are often found at the equipment pad, around pump seals and filter connections, at fittings for returns and skimmers, around pool lights, and in cracks in the plaster or tile line.

Some leaks are easy to spot, such as a dripping fitting at the pump. Others are hidden underground or behind the shell and take careful checking to find.

Getting a Leak Fixed

If your test points to a leak, it is best to act soon. Small leaks tend to grow, and water escaping into the soil can cause bigger problems over time.

Our pool leak repair service tracks down leaks at the equipment, fittings, lights and surfaces and explains what it takes to fix them. If the leak is at the pump or filter, see our pool equipment repair service, and if a light is the source, our pool light replacement service can help. Our mobile team serves homes throughout Thousand Oaks.