If you notice that your pool’s water levels have been getting lower and lower without any reasonable explanation, then you might have a leak. However, there are a few easy steps you can follow to not only find the leak but fix it in a timely manner. Here’s what you need to know!
Determining If There’s a Leak
It’s pretty simple to determine if your pool is leaking, and one way to figure this out is by taking a bucket and filling it with water. You will then take some tape and put a line about one inch above the waterline of both your pool and this bucket. Leave the bucket beside the pool and check on it again at least 24 hours later. If you see that your pool level has dropped significantly more than the water level of your bucket, then it’s likely you have a leak somewhere. However, if they’re relatively the same, then it might just be the process of evaporation causing your pool’s water levels to decrease. If it’s the first option, then here’s what you’ll need to do next.
Finding the Leak in Your Pool
You will want to start by checking the pool’s equipment. Often, a leak can happen at some point in the filter, plumbing, pump, etc. It’s best to see if there is excess water near or around these things to determine if the leak is within these systems. If you believe the leak is coming from the liner of your pool, take a look at the ground beside it. Because above-ground pools are at our level, you can easily tell if there are any divots in the ground around the pool that was once flat. This could be a sign of excess water.
To pinpoint the exact spot of the leak, turn off everything in your pool to make the water as still as possible. That includes the pump, jets, filter, etc. If you suspect that the leak is coming from one particular side of the pool after checking the ground, as mentioned before, you can get some food coloring and put it in the pool. Within that specific area, keep a close eye on where the dye is travelling. This is why you want the water to be completely still. You should see that the dye will be pulled into wherever the hole in your pool liner is. Mark this spot so you can come back later when you have the tools needed to patch the hole. In the meantime, you can use some waterproof tape to ensure that while you’re getting supplies, your pool doesn’t continue to leak further into your yard.
Fixing a Leak in Your Above-Ground Pool
In order to patch up a leak in your above-ground pool, you will need to get a vinyl pool patch kit and ensure it is at least a few inches wider than the hole itself. If the leak is underwater, you’re going to take your patch, fold it in half, bring it to the hole, and then slowly and gently open it up while smoothing it onto the liner. You want to press out any air bubbles through this process and then hold the adhesive in place for at least 2 minutes to ensure it will stay. Try not to move it once it’s in place. If the leak is coming from the bottom of your pool rather than one of the walls, you can take a brick or something heavy and wrap it in plastic before placing it over the adhesive work you’ve just done. You can leave it over the hole for 24 hours to really ensure your patchwork stays.
If you find that the adhesive is not working the way it should, you can repeat these steps until the hole is patched correctly and you are no longer dealing with a leak. Although having a pool leak might sound like a very stressful experience, countless tools and resources are available to help you in situations like this. If you find that the leak is coming from a hole too large or extreme for you to fix on your own, we recommend calling a professional to help!
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