A pool is a respite in the hot summer months, but a leak is a gut-wrenching pit of worry until you find out where it is, how bad it is, and how much it will cost to fix it. Here are some telltale signs to help with leak detection in Sacramento that also will help you identify where that leak is located.
Standing Water Near Pool Filtering Equipment at the Equipment Pad
Of all the types of leaks you can have, this is probably the most preferable because it is the most easily fixed and generally causes the least amount of water loss. It could be a leaky valve or gauge that has blown o-ring or bracket on the filter. It could be a seal has given out on the pump or there is a crack in the inlet or outlet piping. Regardless, water leak detection of this sort is easy with a visual inspection of the equipment, tracing the standing water back to its dripping source. that traces the leaking fluid back to its source.
Losing More than a Quarter Inch of Water a Day
Losing this much water daily is much more insidious in that it likely means you have an underground piping problem or an issue with the pool structure itself. that is underground (especially if you do not see any pooling of water). The best method of pool leak detection, in this case, is to track over a 24 to 48-hour period week how much water is going missing. A simple isolation or bucket test will do the trick. If it is losing more than would normally evaporate in the summer heat anything more than ¼ inch, generally speaking, you probably have a leak. To help pinpoint where it is without digging up your entire yard, a professional leak detection company has an arsenal of pool inspection and electronic leak detection tools available. There are several electronic leak detection options that most pool maintenance services will have available.
Cracked Decking or Loose Tiles
All in-ground pools settle, and in most cases, there is no need to worry about cracking. Abnormal settling or popped tiles, however, can be a warning sign that water is getting behind the pool structure your pool tiles. In extreme cases of leaking, the ground under and around the pool can become disturbed, and that can lead to the pool decking shifting enough to cause a crack. The best leak detection, in this case, is visual observation. If you notice unusual settling, cracking, or tile loss, you likely have a leak and then testing the ground for signs of saturation.
Pool Pump and Filter Fittings Skimmer and Above-Ground Plumbing
The PVC equipment and piping for your pool fittings that hold your pump and filtering system together are pretty rugged, but prolonged exposure to the sun’s UV rays water or pressure can cause them to degrade. When you notice cracking, yellowing, or discoloration of the plastic, that you can be sure you may have at least the start of a leak.
Abnormal Water, Chlorine, and/or Salt Consumption
A pool that sheds water constantly will be reflected in your water bill. Monitoring that bill and investigating sudden inexplicable spikes in water usage, particularly if they are not explainable, is an almost iron-clad ironclad indicator you have a leak somewhere on your property. Water use is pretty steady month in and month out. A sudden spike, particularly a large spike, indicates that something is pulling abnormal amounts of water. One way to narrow down the possible source of all that water use to your pool is to monitor the pool’s auto-fill. Is it running all the time? If you don’t have an auto-fill, are you constantly turning on the hose to fill your pool? If the answer is yes, your pool is leaking. Another telltale sign that your pool leaks is always having to rebalance the chemicals (or add salt if it’s a salt-water system). If you take care of these things yourself, pay close attention to changes in routine pool care. If you have a pool service, ask if they’re seeing changes in chemical or salt usage. A little sleuthing can lead you to the culprit of those higher household bills: a leaky pool. things it might not be like a leak in your home or increased shower usage, and if you get down to the pool being the last possible leak source, you know you have an issue.
Each of these leak detection methods can point you in the right direction is flawless, and they will give you a good idea of whether you likely have a pool-related leak. If you do, you need to seek the help of a pool leak detection professional. To get that started, check out Bullseye Leak Detection.