is your pool leaking?

pool & spa leak detection

Are you wondering if your pool is leaking? If you’ve seen a sudden increase in water bills or noticed areas on your lawn that seem to be swampy, you may have a leak in the pipes or in your pool. The best way to find out if you have a leak is to have a pool leak repair inspection in Sacramento.

Before you call a technician, you can perform DIY leak tests. The bucket test, for instance, is a quick and easy way to see if your pool is losing water due to a leak rather than natural evaporation. If, after performing a test, it appears that your pool or spa is in fact leaking, don’t hesitate to give us a call.

Our technicians test all types of systems, from standard single-pump pools to the most elaborate multipump backyard water wonderlands and everything in between. Pool systems vary in size, surface material, and configuration, so the cost of testing them varies, too. Please call or email our office for a quote.

By pressure testing each line separately, we can isolate the specific leak. We inspect the structure both from the surface and underwater using scuba equipment. Our technicians inject nontoxic dye throughout the structure to determine if a gap or crack is cosmetic or a source of leakage. Our leak detections have a 30-day guarantee, so if a secondary leak occurs and your pool is still leaking, we’ll come out free of charge to locate that one, too!

Bullseye Leak Detection

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salt or chlorine

All pool and spa systems must be treated to prevent bacteria and algae growth.

Typically, treatment means adding liquid or tablet chlorine. Bromine systems work similarly. Saltwater systems provide chlorine treatment but use an entirely different delivery method. Electrolysis separates the salt into its elementary parts: chlorine and sodium.

Many homeowners enjoy the feel of water treated with salt and conditioner. When a saltwater pool or spa leaks, it loses salt and conditioner, too. With the addition of new water, the system becomes diluted, necessitating the addition of more and more salt throughout the year.

With bromine and chlorine systems, chemicals must be added continually to keep up with water leakage. Heavy use of salt or chemicals is a strong indication that you have a leak.

pool plumbing systems

A standard pool has a suction line and a return line.

The first pulls water out of the pool; the second pushes water back into the pool. A leak in one of these lines can occur anywhere between the pool port or skimmer and the pump.

A spa adds an additional suction and return line to the mix, as do fountains, disappearing edges, and waterfalls. When scheduling your appointment for leak detection, we request a thorough tallying of all the features on your system in order to provide accurate pricing and time allotment for testing.

pool structures

Pool surfaces can be Pebble Tec, plaster, fiberglass, or a vinyl liner. Each surface ages and shows signs of wear differently.

Each surface ages and shows signs of wear differently. A leaking crack in a Pebble Tec pool might camouflage itself for months whereas a glaring crack in a plaster pool might be only cosmetic and not leak at all.

Our technicians thoroughly test the entire structure, including pool walls and floor, steps, benches, lights, tiles, ports, and skimmers.

If the structure leaks, our next step is to patch it with two-part marine-grade epoxy. Temporary patches are used to help us narrow our leak search and stop immediate water loss and are not a permanent or guaranteed solution.

pool & spa leak detection

equipment

Whether your pool has a single-pump or a multi-pump system, we always begin by inspecting the equipment for wear and leakage.

We can identify leak sources on your pool pump and discuss repair options with your pool service provider. If they’d prefer that we perform the equipment repairs, we’re happy to provide a bid for those.

Contact us today for the best in pool and spa leak repair in Sacramento, CA.

DIY tests

diy pool & spa leak test

The best way to determine if your pool, spa, or fountain is losing water due to a leak–and not natural evaporation–is to perform a bucket test. The following instructions are for a pool but will just as easily work in a spa or a fountain.

bucket test

Step 1: Place a 3-5 gallon bucket on the bench or first step of the pool. The water in the pool should reach two-thirds the height of the bucket. Put a large stone in the bucket to hold it down.

Step 2: Fill the bucket to the level of the water in the pool. In other words, the water inside the bucket should be at the same level as the water outside the bucket.

Step 3: With a piece of tape, mark and date the level of the pool water on the side of the bucket. You will also do the same on the inside of the bucket.

Step 4: Run the system on its normal timed cycle and check the pool water level after 24 hours.

additional steps you can take

If you have a combination pool/spa, isolate the pool and spa by closing the valves between the two and see which one leaks.

Warning: Never let your pool drain to empty. As little as two pounds of ground water pressure can lift a plaster pool out of the ground. Thorough testing requires that the pool and/or spa are filled to normal operating level.

We price our leak detections according to the type of system you have. So the price for a basic pool will be less than the price for a pool/spa combo, which will be less than the price for a system with multiple pumps and features, such as fountains or a disappearing edge.

Note: We do not test portable spas. We do not resurface pools, and we do not perform major structural repairs. We are happy to refer you to a reputable, fully licensed contractor for such services.

pool leak bucket test
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