Every pool owner will eventually face a leak problem. While this situation is often minor and can be fixed quickly, it may sometimes be necessary to call a professional to locate and correct the issue. In all cases, it is essential to discover and repair the leak as soon as you notice an abnormal drop in the water level of your pool.

How to identify the leak?

A sudden decrease in the water level in the pool may simply result from natural evaporation that occurs in summer during high heat, especially if there is wind. If this phenomenon is moderate, there is no reason to be alarmed. First, compare the level drop with that of another container (bucket, basin) to evaluate the impact of evaporation, and if the water loss seems too significant, you should check for the possibility of a leak.

Note that there is no need to worry if the drop in level is temporary, for example after cleaning the sand filter (which inevitably leads to water loss) or during playtime in the water generating many splashes.

On the other hand, if the leak hypothesis is confirmed, you will need to locate the source of the leak. To do this, you can use a leak detector (electronic devices for liners, level sensors, cameras to inspect pipes, etc.) or perform a basic test: by stopping the filtration system and letting the pool empty slowly, you can determine at what level the fault is located, where the water level stabilizes. Another method is to use a dye product near suspected areas; the leak will be located where the colored water is sucked in.

What are the main causes of leaks?

Several paths can be explored to identify the leak:

• The pool filter may be responsible if the multiport valve gasket is worn or if the tank has small cracks.
• The leak may be located at the fittings, gaskets, a skimmer damaged by frost, or a return jet. Water then seeps between the structure and the defective part. Sometimes, loosely tightened fixing screws can cause water loss.
• The leak may come from the pool lights and result from a sealing issue at the cable gland.
• Ground movements can also cause leaks by cracking the structure or damaging the pool’s piping.
• The lining can also be at fault if tiles are broken or a liner is cracked or punctured.

How to repair the various causes of leaks?

When the leak is located at the filter, you can simply change the valve gasket or install a shut-off valve on the waste pipe. If micro-cracks are present in the tank, you can seal them with a specific product, or even replace the filter completely if the problem persists.

If the leak is caused by a failure of one or more of the pool’s fittings, it will be necessary to re-seal them.

For a slightly damaged liner, such as with a small snag, you can repair it easily.