Identifying and Fixing Pool Leaks

Pools are the perfect way to stay cool on hot days, but detecting that your pool is losing water is a downside. Pools typically lose water due to one of two causes: evaporation or a leak. Evaporation happens naturally in all bodies of water but can be accelerated under specific situations, such as hot, humid weather. Leaks, conversely, signal a larger issue that a professional may need to solve. 

Continue reading to find out whether your pool is naturally losing water or has a leak that has to be repaired.

What Are the Causes of Pool Leaks?

Although pools are designed to be watertight, various issues can cause leaks. Seals, for example, can deteriorate if you don’t do regular pool maintenance. Leaks can also occur if your pool’s plumbing fittings or accessories, such as light fixtures, fail to function properly. 

It is critical to detect leaks early so you do not waste money on wasted water, heat, and chemicals. If so, you’ll want to fix your pool liner quickly to avoid more damage.

However, detecting them is also critical to preserve the overall structure of your pool. Unaddressed leaks can wash away your pool’s fill soil and trigger other costly issues.

Common Pool Evaporation Causes

Evaporation occurs in all bodies of water, but certain conditions cause it to increase. High temperatures, high humidity, and strong winds, for example, can all increase the evaporation rate of your pool. Because they are more exposed to the elements, pools without covers or tree bodies will also evaporate faster than those with shade and protection. 

Because the weather impacts evaporation, you can expect much more evaporation during warmer seasons than during cooler months. Your pool may also leak if it loses more water than usual during the cooler months.

What Is the Average Pool Water Loss?

Pools in good condition will naturally lose water over time. During the summer, it is common for home pools without covers to lose up to a quarter-inch of water every day. Evaporation can be reduced by installing an enclosure and a pool cover. Heated pools and pools with water features, such as fountains, may also evaporate faster than unheated pools.

The amount of water that loses from your pool is determined by the temperature, the temperature of the air, the humidity level, and the velocity of the air passing over the water’s surface. However, you may get an approximate notion of evaporation losses to see if your pool is losing water at an abnormally high pace.

How to Spot a Pool Leak

On a sweltering day, nothing beats lazing in your pool. Don’t let a leak spoil your fun in the sun. Learn to detect leaks before they become a major issue.

Water loss is only one symptom of a pool leak. Other indicators that your pool may leak include:

1. Excessive Wetness

Examine the grass between your pool and its equipment pad for moist or mushy areas. 

2. Concrete or tile cracks

Leaks beneath the surface might cause fissures in the ground on which your pool is built. As a result, flaws in your pool’s concrete or tiles could indicate an underground leak. 

3. Imbalances in Chemicals

When water drains from a leak, the chemicals in your pool also drain. Inconsistent chemical levels can be a huge warning signal. Monitor your chemical levels closely and look for variations in your regular chemical balances while cleaning and maintaining your pool.

How to Check for Leaks in Your Pool?

If your pool is losing more water than usual, you can do a simple test to see if it leaks.

The Bucket Experiment

This test can help you assess whether your pool is evaporating normally or if there is a leak. The results will be skewed if people or animals use the pool during the test. Furthermore, if it rains during the test, you must restart on another day. 

• Fill your pool to its full capacity. 
• Fill a bucket halfway with pool water.
• Place the bucket on the first step of your pool, about 5-6 inches into the water.
• Mark where the water stops inside and outside the bucket with a marker or pen.
• Wait for 24 hours.
• Examine the water levels both inside and outside the bucket.
• If the water outside the bucket dropped more than it did within, you most certainly leak.

Why Should You Waterproof Your Pool?

1. Protects against water damage

Water may permeate concrete because it is porous. Water usually has little effect on the performance of surfaces such as driveways and patios because the contact is relatively temporary. Constant contact with water and pool chemicals can cause concrete to deteriorate prematurely, cracking, flaking, and peeling.

2. Preserves Appearance

The most well-built pool will not be an enticing feature if its aesthetic has deteriorated since cracked or pitted concrete will distract from the overall aspect of your house. Waterproofing not only protects the appearance of your pool, but the materials are also available in various colors and styles that can complement your outdoor decor. Some sealants can be mixed with tiles to create various visual effects.

3. Improves Longevity

Swimming pools can last for 25 years or more with constant care and upkeep. Minor issues, such as peeling paint, cracks, and water saturation, can cause it to fail prematurely, leaving you with an expensive replacement or removal. Resealing your pool every one to three years, on average, will prevent most maintenance difficulties and extend its life up to, and perhaps beyond, the installers’ guaranteed lifespan.

Get in touch… 

With decades of experience, Zavza Seal LLC Long Island NY is your best bet for waterproofing your pool for years to come. Your experienced staff will diagnose the cause of your leaks and provide the best solution for your pool needs. 

Call us today for free inspections and estimates.