Is your pool liner leaking? Find out with this online assessment!

A pool is fun. A pool leak isn't. Left unchecked, a leak can do significant damage to your pool, the surrounding landscape and your pocketbook. If you suspect your inground pool has sprung a leak, this online assessment will tell you if your pool liner is the culprit and help you out with next steps.

Let's find the source

Leak detection is a tricky business. It starts with an annoying voice in your head ("Didn't you just add water to the pool?") and ends with some kind of fix, be that a liner repair, new pool liner, pipe repair or new equipment. In between is a little guesswork, an experiment or two, and maybe a visit from a professional leak detection service.

It may sound like a hassle. But a little investment of time and money now to fix the problem could save you big bucks in pool repairs and unnecessary landscaping later. The leak detection quiz is a fast and easy way to get started.

 

Common signs your pool is leaking

  • 1 WATER LEVEL CHANGES
    When the water level in your pool is dropping at a faster rate than would be expected from evaporation, that's a telltale sign the pool is leaking. A commonly reported "normal" evaporation rate is 1/4" a day, but evaporation rates vary based on a number of factors, including wind, air and water temperature, and humidity. If your pool is uncovered and in direct sunlight all day, your evaporation rate will be higher than a shaded or covered pool. You'll also lose more water if you backwash your filter, have active, splashy swimmers, and keep the water hot. However, it's safe to say if you're losing 1/2" to 1" of water in your pool every day, you've got a leak.
  • 2 GROUND CHANGES AROUND THE POOL
    Excess water from a leaking pool disturbs the surrounding ground and can cause cracks in a concrete pool deck and movement in a stone or brick pool deck. Cracks or gaps may become noticeable as the pool deck settles farther into the softened ground. Water movement underground can cause erosion and start to shift and sink landscaping.
  • 3 WET SPOTS
    Mushy spots, puddles and pools of water around the pool when it hasn't rained may indicate a pool leak. Uneven grass growth around the pool area is another sign.
  • 4 HIGHER BILLS
    Automatic fill devices might be hiding leaks by keeping the pool topped up. If you notice these devices running constantly or an increase in your water and electricity bills, it’s time to start looking for a leak.
  • 5 BUBBLES OR SOIL IN THE POOL
    Plumbing leaks may cause soil or air to be pulled into your pool via the return lines. You can also diagnose plumbing leaks if you hear mysterious gurgling sounds.
  • 6 ALGAE GROWTH
    Constantly topping up a pool that leaks with new, untreated water will throw off your water chemistry and may lead to algae growth. Finding and repairing the leak may be the solution instead of constantly treating your water.

Is your pool liner the problem?

Any spot that comes in regular contact with water is a potential source of a pool leak. The liner is the obvious choice, but lights, underground lines, backwash lines, underground connections and fittings, in-pool steps, faceplates and drains are all common sources of pool leaks. Answer the questions in the assessment on this page to help you narrow down the cause!

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Is your pool liner leaking? Find out with this free online assessment!

A pool leak is a pain. This quick quiz will help you find out if your pool has a leak and if the pool liner is the problem. Take action…take the quiz!

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