Having a leak in your pool can be very frustrating and difficult to find. In this article we are going to help you figure out how to find a leak in an above ground pool.
Even small leaks can drain your wallet over time because you have to constantly add more water and chemicals to the pool. They will also “drain” your patience because they can be really tough to find.
Larger leaks in the liner are easily spotted and can be repaired fairly quickly.
Fixing leaks in the above the ground pools can be challenging, since it requires lots of patience. Before fixing the leak you need to know how to find a leak in an above ground pool.
According to Inyopools.com, the search process involves cleaning the equipment area, inspecting the pool area for signs of wetness, turning the pump on and inspecting the skimmer and the return piping system at the wall.
Check the Pool Equipment
Checking the pool equipment for signs of leaks should not be overlooked because the leak may be outside the pool area. Turning the pump on can reveal if the leak is on the pump or the pool tub.
The skimmer and return system at the wall should be thoroughly inspected as these locations are prone to developing leaks.
Be sure to check the outside of the pool for any leaks before checking the inside. An outside leak should be obvious and easy to find. You need to check the bottom of the pool as well and looks for signs of excessive wetness.
Finding Leaks in the Pool Liner
The leaks normally come out in the form of moisture. Finding a leak in the vinyl liner can be very difficult. The following steps will help you locate the leaks:
- Turn the pool pump off and allow water to stay still – doing this will allow you to check and analyze the bottom of the water more clearly. Take time to check the bottom of the vinyl for water pools and streams.
- Check the perimeter of the pool– the areas of consideration include the mulch and the walls at the bottom of the pool. Excessive wetness could be a sign of leak, but be careful do not confuse leaks with natural ground moisture.
- Clean the pool before getting in – get inside the pool and inspect it for signs of leaks. To do this effectively, you need to clean and vacuum the pool. Cleaning the pool will eliminate dirt blocking your visibility
The Color Dye Method
The equipment needed for this exercise includes a snorkel, swim goggles and food coloring dye.
Swim to the areas where you suspect the leak to be and start squirting the dye around. Squirt the dye near the wall where you suspect a leak and see if the dye moves toward the hole.
For the bottom of the pool, you do the same thing but just use your goggles to swim around and squirt the dye.
Here is a fantastic method that someone thought of using a snake catcher that doesn’t require getting into the pool…..brilliant!
Check out the Video Below:
Repairing the Leak
Once you have established how to find a leak in an above ground pool, use appropriate techniques to fix the leak.
According to Wikihow, skimmer leaks can be fixed using pool putty while light leaks on the conduit pipe can be fixed using epoxy that dries hard, along with a caulk and putty.
Lastly, liner leaks can be repaired by patching the vinyl liner using an appropriate patch kit. For underwater repairs, a wet patch kit is most appropriate.
We hope this quick guide will help you find that annoying leak in your above ground pool and get it repaired right away. If you can’t repair it yourself, then we recommend hiring a professional to take care of it.
Leave a comment below on other helpful ways that you have used to find a leak in your above ground pool.
