Swimming Pool Leak? Here Are 4 Steps To A Solution

Leaks happen. If you own a swimming pool, chances are you might experience a leak at some point. Catch it early, and there’s no reason to panic.

Pools are meant to be watertight, but sealants can deteriorate over time. Pools can leak through any of the fittings or accessories, plumbing, or even right through the shell.

Sure, it’s tempting to just ignore a leak, and hope the next rainfall makes up for the water loss. Toss me that raft and turn up the tunes!

But you know better than that. An unrepaired hole the size of a pencil tip can result in hundreds of gallons of water lost per day. In addition to the replacement cost of the water, leaks in your pool will increase chemical demands and may lead to more serious structural and mechanical problems.

Here’s a look at four steps to helping you solve your leaking issues.

Step 1: Does Your Pool Have a Leak?

So your pool is losing water faster than the neighbor kids devour all your freezer pops. There are three main reasons for water loss:

• A leak in the pool plumbing
• A leak in the pool shell
• Excessive splash-out or evaporation from the swimming pool

Maybe you’re lucky, and the water loss is just splashing out or evaporation. But if you’re routinely adding more than two inches of water to your pool a week, even when it’s not in high use, you probably have a swimming pool leak.

Step 2: Check the Obvious Stuff First

Look closely at the filter, pump, heater and the pipe valves. Are there any leaks at the equipment pad?

Check the ground for moisture. Walk around the pool, and by the equipment. Check for wet soil and sunken or eroding areas.

Ask yourself: Does your swimming pool leak all the time, or only when the equipment is on? If it leaks all the time, it’s likely the shell has a leak. Look for cracks in the plaster. If you have a vinyl pool liner, look for tears or separations around all the fittings, skimmers, returns, cleaner line, lights, steps and the corners. Sometimes vinyl liners leak just from age and deterioration.

Look closely at the tile line. Inspect the inside of the skimmer. A common leak spot is a separation between the plastic skimmer and the concrete pool.

Step 3: Stumped? Call the Experts at Neave

The experts at Neave Pools have the latest equipment to quickly find and repair swimming pool leaks in your shell, liner or plumbing.

Neave’s service technicians are certified by the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals and the National Swimming Pool Foundation. If your pool has a leak, we’ll find it. Then we’ll fix it.

Step 4: Prevent Future Leaks With Proper Pool Care

In a properly maintained swimming pool, a vinyl liner can last 15 years or more. But in a poorly maintained pool, a liner might only last three years, and gunite pools are just as vulnerable to neglect.

Chemically balanced water, pool covers, and shade can improve the life of your liner and prevent leaks.

The freezing and thawing of New York and Connecticut winters can cause the plaster in a gunite pool to crack. Proper swimming pool winterization will help keep your pool’s structure intact, preventing leaks.

At Neave Pools, we not only repair swimming pool leaks, but we can offer suggestions on how to prevent future leaks.

Some leaks are caused by improper maintenance. Regular pool maintenance by certified professionals from Neave Pools can help extend the life of your pool.

As we perform routine maintenance, we keep our eyes open, catching any problems early to prevent more costly repairs.

We Love Solving Pool Predicaments

If you’re in Hudson Valley, call (845) 463-0592. Westchester, call (914) 271-7996. Cold Spring, call (845) 463-0592, and in Connecticut, call (203) 212-4800. Or fill out the handy web form on this page, and we’ll get in touch with you to schedule a complimentary swimming pool consultation.

While you’re at it, sign up to get our free, printer-friendly Swimming Pool Maintenance Checklist. Grab it at the link below. It’s a great reference as you work to keep your swimming pool in top condition year-round.