How will a professional find my swimming pool leak?
How Does A Swimming Pool Leak Detection Expert Find Leaks?
Our pool leak detection experts in Visalia and Bakersfield use a progressive series of steps and equipment to pinpoint the exact location and repair options.
Gather information first
Answers to the following questions help the Raytek technician perform the best leak detection services and narrow the leak location possibilities:
How old is the pool?
What type of pool do you have? (concrete, gunite, fiberglass, vinyl liner, pool/spa combination)
When did you first notice a possible leak?
How much water are you losing, based on a 24-hour bucket test?
Was anything going on that could cause a leak? Heavy objects falling into the pool, construction activity, extreme heat or cold weather, and a long stretch of rainy weather create conditions for pool leaks and structural changes.
Have you had any recent repairs to the pool?
Is there a certain level at which the water level stops dropping?
Do you notice a difference in leaking with the pump on or off? More leakage when the pump runs may indicate a pressure side plumbing leak. When the pump is off and you have more water leaking, then you may have a suction side plumbing leak.
Determine type of leak detection
Raytek is prepared for any type of leak detection work, because the answers aren’t always easy or simple. However, based on the information you provide us on the phone, we’re able to give you a general idea of what we think the problem could be, and the ways to solve the problem. We can’t provide an exact estimate until we look at the pool. Leak detection is a specialized business, so the pricing isn’t comparable to what you pay for pool cleaning services. However, advanced techniques make repairs permanent, saving you money for the long term.
Test the plumbing first
Pressure testing your plumbing lines will confirm or negate the possibility of a plumbing leak. We use fast-acting specialized test plugs and pressure induction systems. If a plumbing leak is suspected, the technician will use a listening device to determine the exact location. We use a helium detector if soil conditions prevent sound detection.
Test the pool structure
If the suspected leak isn’t in the plumbing, then the testing moves to the pool structure.
The process is the same for concrete, plaster, shotcrete, gunite, and poured block pools:
We submerge waterproof microphones in your pool, and listen for leaks with headphones so that we can hear the slightest sound variations.
When we perform leak detection and identify a suspected leak, we add dye to the water to confirm the location and extent of the leak.
A tiny video scope lets us watch the dye follow water into the leak.
We get in the water with SCUBA gear to get close to the leak and assess the repair.
Vinyl liner leaks require different technology. An electric current is shot into the water using a detector to reveal the source of the leak. Technicians apply a simple fix using vinyl patches to repair the leak.
Next Steps
Simple repairs, such as vinyl patches for vinyl liner leaks, can happen right away. Crack repair to solid surface pools requires more work and a separate estimate and appointment. We talk with you about the findings and the options before we perform any further work.