How to Repair a Leaking Pool: DIY Guide & Pro Tips

Have you noticed your pool losing water gradually? A leak could be costing you hundreds! Before your bills pile up, get your pool repaired instantly to avoid excessive damage. But how to repair a leaking pool? This guide offers DIY steps, costs, and when you should call a professional.

Signs Your Pool Has a Leak 

If your pool exudes the following signs, it’s time to repair it.

Dropping water levels:

If you notice your pool’s water levels dropping significantly, it may indicate a leak. However, it could be due to other factors like evaporation. The evaporation rate usually depends on the speed of the wind or the temperature. An evaporation calculator might prove useful in determining how much water your site should lose by evaporation. If the loss is more than expected, then you have a leak to attend to in your pool.

Soggy ground

Noticed the area around your pool is wet? Chances are, your pool may be leaking. If the ground is always wet, it’s time to ring the bells.

Water bills

If you are getting high water bills constantly, a pool leak is to blame.

If you are unsure whether pool water is leaking or merely evaporating, the bucket test should be conducted. 

1. Ensure that the pool pump is off and the water is at its normal operational level. 
2. Weigh the bucket down with a brick or other rocks.
3. Fill the bucket with pool water to about 1 inch from the top.
4. Place the bucket on a stable ledge and submerge it about 5-6 inches into the pool water. If it floats, use rocks to keep it submerged. 
5. Mark the water levels by drawing a line on the inner side of the bucket at the water level. Similarly, draw a line on the outer sides of the bucket at the water level.
6. Let the test run for 24 hours. Do not use the pool, swim, splash, or add water during this time.
7. Observe the water levels 24 hours after placing the bucket into the pool. Measure downwards from your original marks with a ruler, noting the drop in both bucket and pool. The difference between these drops will indicate whether or not the pool water is being lost via leaks rather than evaporation. The water level is usually accepted as 1/8 to 1/4 inch/day, depending on the climate.

Types of Pool Leaks and Their Causes 

Various factors can cause pool leaks. It’s important to address them early on to avoid long-term expenses.

Different pool types witness various kinds of leaks.

• Vinyl: If you notice tears in the pool liner or worn seams, it’s time to replace it. The pool water could be lost due to wear and tear.
• Concrete: Concrete often cracks under high pressure or excessive sunlight. Water may be leaking due to joint failures.
• Fibreglass: Fibreglass pools’ surface may crack due to extreme climates. If it’s not fitted properly, water could leak.
• Plumbing: Sometimes, pool connections such as from the drain, skimmer, or pump become loose due to high water pressure or vibration, or improper installation. As a result, water is lost rapidly. 

Environmental factors: Situations like ground shifts or tree roots often penetrate the pool, causing damage. 

DIY Pool Leak Repair: An Essential Guide 

Tired of pool leaks? Here’s how you can find a pool leak in vinyl/concrete and repair it at home by yourself. 

Above-ground pool

Above-ground pools are normally vinyl pools. You can repair them in two ways. The first is by draining the entire pool, and the other is to repair it with water inside. 

1. Drain the pool cautiously and ensure it’s completely dry. 
2. Turn off the pool pump.
3. Get a pool liner patch, such as the waterproof tape, to fix the water leak. 
4. If you’re unsure of where the leak is, mix food-grade colour in a water bottle, shake it, and disperse it around the pool. Wherever the colouring goes, there’s a leak. You may also get a ready-made pool dye.
5. Now, empty the pool. Mark the leak area with a marker and cut a small piece of waterproof tape. 
6. Ensure the leak area is flattened. Place the tape smoothly on the leak.
7. Repeat it on the other side.
8. You can also repair the pool with water inside. Stick two pieces of waterproof tape on both sides of the leak. Apply full pressure to keep the tape from sticking.

In-ground pool

In-ground pools are mostly concrete. Here’s how you can do an inground pool leak repair.

1. Use a pool leak inspector dye to find the leak.
2. Once detected, get an epoxy pool repair putty. Mash it together in your hands until it’s uniform.
3. Place the putty where the leak is and firmly press it on the problem area.
4. Let the putty sit for a while.
5. Use the dye again to see if the putty holds still and you don’t have a leak. If the dye doesn’t suck in, your putty has worked. If not, place some more putty.

When to Call a Professional 

While most leaks can be repaired at home, sometimes the damage is far worse, and you need to call a professional. If you notice your pool has severe structural damage or several leaks that spring up repeatedly, call in your pool expert. You may call one if your pool has complex plumbing. The average pool leak repair cost is $300-$5,000, depending on the repair type.

Preventing Future Pool Leaks 

Once the leaks are fixed, you must make sure they don’t occur in the future.

• Maintain ideal water chemistry. Use a robotic pool cleaner to keep your pool pristine, clean, and problem-free.
• Inspect your pool regularly and keep checking for potential pool leaks.
• Make sure your pool is safe from sharp objects, and if you witness ground movements, check that it is intact.

Conclusion 

Pool leaks are common but not impossible. Find the pool leak, fix it DIY with tape, and prevent future damage by maintaining your pool regularly. Do a bucket test to determine if your pool is leaking, and if the damage is severe, contact a pro.

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