Leakage Signs
There are a number of indicators that your pool may have a leak, such as:
- The pool filter has air in the system.
- The equipment loses its prime.
- Cracks are apparent.
- Pool deck is sinking or lifting.
- There are soggy areas around the pool.
- You have to add water more than once a week.
- Water loss is greater than typical evaporation.
Typical Evaporation
A quarter of water loss per day is most likely evaporation. The evaporation rate in your area will depend on humidity, sunlight intensity, barometric pressure, wind and the level of activity in the pool or spa.
Check your daily expected evaporation http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/dwo/IDCJDW6111.latest.shtml
Pool leaks often go unnoticed but can result in big water bills and significant damage. If you are unsure if you have a leak but feel you are adding too much water, why not try the bucket test?
Common Pool Leak Causes
- Pool Equipment.
- Above Ground Pipework
- Below Ground Pipework
- The Pool Shell
- Faulty Hydro Valve
- Cracked Skimmer Box
- Pool Light
- Spa Pipework
Why do pools leak?
There are many reasons why pools leak:
New Pools
- Your pool may have leaked from the day it was built.
- During construction a pipe fitting may not have been glued properly.
- On occasion heavy equipment is used during the final grading of pool decking leaving light conduits and plumbing as targets to get run over and cracked.
- Even though all of your pool plumbing will be inspected under pressure during new construction, small leaks can still sneak by which can become larger over time.
Older Pools
- Ground settling issues can cause plumbing to sag and break at the pool wall.
- A small leak in plumbing/pipes will cause tree and plant roots to migrate toward the moisture in the soil. These roots will wrap around pool plumbing and and crack a pipe.
- Small leaks always create a larger problem eventually.
- Pool tile and grout can crack below the normal water line, or the pool may just develop a crack through the shell.
- Any place that plastic pipe (PVC) comes through the pool shell, (main drains, return lines etc) can develop leaks as the pools interior finish begins to deteriorate.
- As weather changes your pool will expand and contract generally making small leaks bigger leaks.
