Pools are very expensive to maintain, and the expenses are compounded when you have a leak: after all, leaks result in much wasted water, and the longer you leave it there, the more money you spend in expanded utility bills. Of course, before you jump all over your pool trying to find a leak, there is a way to make sure you do have a leak, as lowering water levels may be quite normal as water evaporates.


Step 1. Confirm if you do have a leak by filling a bucket with water coming from your pool and putting it on the steps of the pool while keeping the top of your bucket above water level. This ensures that the water temperature in the pool and in your bucket is the same, so you can keep the factors constant. Leave the bucket there and check the water level after a few days, comparing it to the water loss in your pool.

Step 2. When you have noted a big difference between the bucket and the pool and confirmed you have a leak, it’s time to find the leak. Fill your pool up to its normal level, marking it with duct tape. Run your filter system for a half or one whole day, and check the water loss.

Step 3. Refill the pool again to its normal level and turn off the filter system. Check the water loss after the same time period.

Step 4. Analyze the results you get from Steps 2 and 3. If you lost more water while the filter system was turned on, it meant the leak is on your plumbing’s pressure side, past the pump impeller. If you lost more water with the filter turned off, then the leak is most likely on the plumbing’s vacuum side, before the pump impeller. If you noted the same level of water loss, the leak is in the pool itself and not in any part of the plumbing.

Step 5. If you find that the leak was in the plumbing, it would be best to call a local leak detection service, as these experts have instruments that minimize random digging.

Step 6. If the leak is in the pool structure, turn off the pump for at least one hour, get some food coloring, and be ready for a swim.

Step 7. Squeeze food coloring on areas where you suspect there is a crack, and if the leak is there, the crack will pull the color in. If you cannot find a visible crack, squeeze the food coloring on anything that pierces the pool structure, such as lights, returns, or the main drain.

Step 8. Once you’ve found the leak, use a patch material to cover up the crack. Find one that works underwater, and if you are applying it to an area near a fitting, keep the pump turned off as the patch cures, so it won’t be washed away by the water flow. Confirm that you have successfully plugged the leak by running the food coloring test again.