How to know if your swimming pool is leaking
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Losing water from a swimming pool is something that happens every day through evaporation, as well as splashing & backwashing. But what happens when you're losing more water than normal… and how do you know what 'normal' is?
According to Daisy Pool Covers the average pool in Brisbane will lose on average 4,464 litres every month over summer.
Read more about water loss and how you can save up to 57,000 litres each year with a pool cover
As a general rule of thumb, if your pool water level is going down by more than 3 centimetres each week in Summer or 1 centimetre in Winter without any swimming or backwashing, there is a high probability that you're losing water from another source.
Testing evaporation vs leaking
If there is no visible water or leaks on your pool equipment, we suggest doing the bucket test.
Fill a bucket to the top and place it next to your pool. Place it in a spot that receives the same elements as your pool does (i.e. same sun, and wind exposure).
Turn the pool pump off.
Mark the water level in the pool
Check both levels after 48hrs and record the result.
If the water loss is the same – it is evaporation.
If the pool loses more than the bucket – there is a leak.
If the bucket lost more water than the pool – the test was compromised and needs to be reset.
For the best results, mark the pool when the water is still. It is better if the pool is not being used during this testing period.
If there is a noticeable difference (1 centimetre or more) in the two levels, with the pool being lower, it's time to consult a Leak Detector to find the problem.
If you’re losing more water than you’d like through evaporation, you can reduce your water loss by up to 95% when you install and diligently use a pool cover. It will not only keep your water in your pool, it will also keep lots more leaves & debris out as well!
find out more about covers below or call us on 1300 007 665 to get a quote!
Finding a leak in a swimming pool.
The most common and 1st place to check for leaks is your waste line exit (usually on the street) where your backwashed/waste water goes. If there is a small trickle coming out here this indicates that there is an issue with your multiport valve (MPV) and requires either one of our service technicians to fix, or our experienced shop staff to explain the process in detail to you.
If there is no waste line leak, the next place to check is around your pump and filter. Your pool pump sucks water from your skimmer box and then pushes it into your filter and back to the pool under high pressure. This additional pressure over time can unseat the barrel unions that connect the pipes to the pump and filter and other connections.
By looking for wet patches on the ground, drip marks on equipment or the tell tail calcium trails from connections you'll quickly be able to isolate the source. Leaking connections can sometimes be fixed as easily as re-seating and lubricating o'rings as well as tightening (hand tight only) any loose connections.
Another regular place water will leak from is underneath your pool pump. This is a small yet regular drip when the pump is running and is an indication that the mechanical seal in the pump is faulty and requires a professional to replace it.
As mentioned earlier the multiport valve (MPV) controls the flow of water through the filter. There is a collar that secures the MPV onto the filter that has an internal o'ring and usually a clamp to seal this connection. It's also a common spot where water will find a way out. Again, check this and re-seat and lubricate if necessary and check for cracks in the actual filter tank itself, cracks will usually result in a very noticeable squirt of water or a significant trickle while the pump is running.
Water under high pressure from the pump can also escape up through the MPV handle. Check for water here and consult your nearest Rode Pool Services store for more information on repairing.
Underground Pipe Leaks
Professional leak detectors use sensitive equipment to pinpoint leaks in underground pipework that may have been damaged by tree roots or shifts in the ground separating or cracking pipework and repair with minimal intrusion to the area surrounding your pool.
At Rode Pools we have worked with a number of local leak detectors for over 30 years and trust their professionalism and workmanship. Contact us to be put in touch if you have tried these tips above and believe you have a leak that needs their attention.
If you have a story to share of your own pool leak, leave a comment below or let us know on our Facebook page.
