Pickering Pool Leak Detection

Swimming pools are meant to be enjoyed but a leak can bring your summer fun to a screeching halt. If you are noticing low water levels, higher utility bills or unexplained puddles forming around your swim space, it is time to consider that your pool is leaking. 

The average swimming pool holds thousands of litres of water at any given time so even a pinhole leak can lead to serious water loss and damage to surrounding areas. Pickering pool leak detection services identify leaks, track them down and isolate problem areas for repair. 

Leak Detection in Pools: How to Track Down Problem Areas 

Swimming pool leaks are tough to identify at the best of times. There is a big difference between naturally occurring water loss and a structural or plumbing leak. During periods of high heats or high traffic it is common to see your pool losing water. High temperatures will burn off water and a high number of swimmers stepping in and out of the pool will carry water out with them. 

On average, you should see 3-5 inches of water loss per week during the spring/summer season. If you find that you are losing more than this or are having to refill water on a daily basis it might be time for a bucket test. If you are struggling to track water loss, a bucket test is a cost-effective option — in fact, it’s free! This test involves taking a bucket of water and setting it next to a swim space so the bucket is exposed to the same conditions of the pool. Next, mark the water level in each. After a few days if the water level in the pool is much lower than in the bucket, you are dealing with a leak. 

Diagnosing a leak in your system is a major victory but it is only the first step in fixing the issue. From here it is time to track down the location of the leak and that is a complex process, better left to the experts! 

Puddle Pool Services: Tracking Down Even the Toughest Pool Leaks 

When managing an above ground pool it is easier to identify issues because they are visible. Inground pools, however, are harder because a large portion of structures and plumbing are underground. Luckily, Puddle technicians are equipped for in-depth testing of pool areas that you can see and the ones that you can’t. 

Pressure Tests: The plumbing systems around a swimming pool are complicated and usually run underground. Buried lines are susceptible to root damage, corrosion, wear and tear. In order to track leaks in this area, pressure testing is the best tool for the job. This process involves applying a steady stream of air flow to return lines. When this air stream comes into contact with cracks or openings it will create air bubbles that can be tracked visually to the source of the problem. In the case of underground leaks it will create gurgling sounds that can be followed. 

Dye Tests: This type of testing is best suited for identifying structural leaks. The process involves turning off the pool pump and waiting for the water to go still. Once still, coloured dyes are strategically placed inside pool water. Because dyes are heavier than water itself, they will be attracted to the vacuum created by a leak or tear in pool liners. In the event that you are dealing with a small tear in a vinyl liner, it can be patched quickly and relatively easily but the longer you wait, the worse your leak becomes.