Determining, Locating, and Repairing Leak
Description
This document is intended to provide guidance in assessing the presence of a leak in a pool, how to locate the leak, and how to repair. Identify the problem and follow the probable causes and recommended solutions.
| PROBLEM | PROBABLE CAUSES | SOLUTIONS |
| WATER LOSS WITH NO WATER VISIBLE NEAR POOL OR EQUIPMENT | • Likely water loss purely due to evaporation, splash out or carry out. | • Top off pool to maintain proper water level and monitor pool and equipment area for evidence of leak. |
| VISIBLE WATER NEAR POOL Water level not dropping Water level is dropping | • Possibly splash out, carry out or water removed from pool with use of cover system. • Environmental: ground water, rain water or sprinklers. • Compromised thru-wall penetration (suction/return fittings, light lens, hydrotherapy jets, etc). • Leak in pool liner | • Inspect location after the pool has not been used for a few days. If dry, no leak present. • Inspect location during dry spell and/or disable/redirect sprinkles. • Starting at the area closest to where the water is visible, gain access to all thru-wall penetrations by removing skirting/finish work. Inspect any and all for evidence of drips and/or water stains. Review installation guides or call for assistance in sealing a leaking fitting. If all fittings are dry and water is seeping out from underneath the steel pool panel, proceed to next cause. • Liners are easily patched once the source of the leak is located. Refer to procedures in APPENDIX A to locate the leak in the liner. Refer to APPENDIX B to patch the liner. If all methods fail, consider liner replacement. |
| VISIBLE WATER NEAR EQUIPMENT Water level not dropping Water level is dropping | • Environmental: ground water, rain water or sprinklers. • Loose or compromised plumbing connection. • Compromised equipment | • Inspect location during dry spell and/or disable/redirect sprinkles. • Trace water to source. Review installation guide or call for assistance to tighten or reseal connections. Inspect plumbing with system on and off. • Trace water to source. Call for guidance on equipment repair/replacement or visit the site myendlesspool.com to purchase replacement. |
APPENDIX A – Locating Leak In Liner
There are two ways to locate the leak in a liner, a passive search and an active search. A passive search is letting the pool drain until the water level reaches the compromise and then inspecting the liner at that level. An active search requires being in the in the pool with goggles, inspecting the liner and plumbing fittings.
PASSIVE SEARCH
- Turn off power to the pool. Continue to chlorinate water.
- Allow the pool to drain until it stops draining. The compromise in the liner is at or slightly below this level. This process can take a while, especially if you have a slow leak. It can be sped up by draining the pool in 6” or 12” increments, marking the new water level with painters tape, and observing if the water level is still dropping. If it is, drain another 6” to 12”. If it has stopped, your leak is at, slightly below or within 6” to 12” of the new water level.
- Once the water level stops, refer to ACTIVE SEARCH below.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
- If the water level is draining below a step or stair in the pool, remove it.
- If the water level is draining below the tops of the return channels, remove the return channel corner covers.
ACTIVE SEARCH
Starting your search near where you see water outside the pool, closely inspect any and all liner thru-wall penetrations (lights, jets, plumbing fittings, skimmer cutouts etc.) from inside the pool. Inspect where any steps, stairs and return channels are in close contact with the liner.
To confirm if suspected location is actual leak, perform dye test as follows:
- Ensure water in pool is still and calm as possible (swim current off, filtration system off, etc.).
- Using red food dye (or reagent # 4 or # 14), release a drop or two underwater as directly adjacent to suspected leak location as possible.
- If dye is visibly pulled to and through suspected location, this is a confirmed leak. If this is a hole/tear in liner, see APPENDIX B on the following page. If this is a thru-wall, call service for guidance.
- Continue searching for possible additional leaks.
APPENDIX B – Liner Patching Procedure
The Endless Pools supplied liner patch kit can be used above or below water line. Standard wet/dry patch kits can also be readily found locally or online.
PREPARING PATCH
- Cut a round or oval patch larger enough to cover hole/tear in liner.
- Apply thin layer of glue to one surface of patch.
APPLYING PATCH ABOVE WATER LINE
- Apply patch directly to the hole/tear in liner.
- Repeat above steps with another round or oval piece of patch material. Consider using a piece of liner sample material, or a liner cut out left over from installation, to help this second patch blend with rest of liner.
APPLYING PATCH BELOW WATER LINE
- Fold patch in half (glue to glue).
- Immerse patch and apply to hole/tear in liner by spreading/unfolding patch in one motion. It can take a few attempts to get a patch you are confident in.
- Repeat above steps with another round or oval piece of patch material. Consider using a piece of liner sample material, or a liner cut out left over from installation, to help this second patch blend with rest of liner.
Documents / Resources
 | ENDLESS POOLS D90094 Determining Locating and Repairing Leak [pdf] Instructions D90094, 0224, D90094 Determining Locating and Repairing Leak, D90094, Determining Locating and Repairing Leak, Locating and Repairing Leak, Repairing Leak |