How to Check for Pool Leaks: Simple Tests Every DFW Pool Owner Should Know

A leaking pool costs you money in three ways: higher water bills, wasted chemicals, and potential damage to your deck or foundation. Most DFW pool owners don't notice small leaks until they've lost hundreds of gallons. The good news is you can spot most leaks yourself before they turn into expensive repairs.

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Common Signs Your Pool Is Leaking

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Your pool naturally loses water to evaporation, especially during North Texas summers when temperatures hit the 90s and 100s. But if you're adding more than two inches of water per week, you probably have a leak.

Watch for these signs:

• Water level drops faster than normal

• Wet or soggy spots in your yard near the pool

• Cracks in the pool deck or patio

• Water bill jumps without explanation

• Pool equipment runs more often to maintain levels

• Algae growth increases because chemical levels won't stay balanced

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If you see any of these, run the tests below before calling for repair.

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The Bucket Test: Your First Step

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This test separates evaporation from actual leaks. It takes 24 hours but requires zero special tools.

Fill a plastic bucket three-quarters full with pool water. Place it on your pool steps so the bucket sits in the water but doesn't float. Mark the water level inside the bucket and the pool water level on the outside of the bucket with a marker or piece of tape.

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• Wait 24 hours. Don't swim, run the waterfall, or add water during this time.

• Check both levels. If the pool water dropped more than the bucket water, you have a leak. If they dropped the same amount, it's just evaporation.

• Run this test with your pump off, then again with it running. If the leak gets worse when the pump runs, the problem is likely in your plumbing or filtration system. If the leak rate stays the same, look for cracks in the shell.

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The Dye Test: Finding the Exact Spot

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Once you know you have a leak, the dye test shows you where. Buy leak detection dye from any pool supply store in the DFW area, or use food coloring in a pinch.

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Turn off your pump so the water stays still. Put on goggles and get in the pool. Squirt dye near suspected problem areas: cracks, tile lines, light fixtures, steps, and return jets.

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Watch the dye. If it floats away normally, there's no leak in that spot. If it gets sucked toward a crack or gap, you found it.

 

Check these common leak points:

• Skimmer connections where plastic meets concrete

• Light fixtures and conduit pipes

• Return jets and main drain covers

• Tile line, especially where grout has cracked

• Steps and bench seats

• Any visible cracks in plaster or vinyl liner
   

Visual Inspection Checklist

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Walk your pool deck and equipment pad looking for obvious problems.

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Around the pool shell, check for:

• Cracks wider than a credit card edge

• Missing or loose tiles

• Separation between coping and deck

• Soft spots in the deck that might indicate underground leaks
   

At your equipment, look for:

• Wet spots under the filter, pump, or heater

• Corroded fittings or valves

• Water stains on equipment pads

• Soggy ground near underground pipes
   

DFW's clay soil expands and contracts with moisture, which puts extra stress on pool plumbing. Underground leaks often show up as abnormally green grass or settled areas in your yard.

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When to Call TX Aqua Doc

These DIY tests work for surface leaks you can see and access. But some leaks hide in places you can't reach without specialized equipment.
 

Call a professional if:

• You confirmed a leak but can't find the source

• The leak is in underground plumbing

• You found a crack but it's getting bigger

• Your pool loses more than half an inch per day

• The equipment pad stays wet even when everything is off

You see structural movement in the deck or coping


CALL US TODAY!
 

TX Aqua Doc uses electronic leak detection equipment that pinpoints problems in pipes, behind tiles, and under decks. We serve Fort Worth, Arlington, Grapevine, Southlake, Colleyville, and surrounding cities. Most leak repairs take one day, and we guarantee our work.
 

Prevent Future Leaks

Regular maintenance catches small problems before they become leaks.
 

Every month, check your water level and run the bucket test if it seems low. Inspect visible plumbing connections for drips. Keep your pool chemistry balanced because acidic water eats away at plaster and grout. Every year, have a professional check your pool's structure and equipment. Small cracks seal easily when they're fresh. Wait too long and you're looking at replastering or liner replacement.

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North Texas weather is hard on pools. Winter freezes can crack pipes and fittings. Summer heat stresses the shell. Clay soil shifts underneath everything. Catching leaks early saves thousands in water costs and prevents foundation damage to your home.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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What are the first signs of a pool leak?

The most common early sign is adding water more than once per week. You might also notice your pump running longer to maintain circulation, chemicals disappearing faster than normal, or wet spots in the yard near your pool equipment.

 

How can I perform a bucket test for pool leaks?

Fill a bucket with pool water and place it on a step so it sits partially submerged. Mark the water level inside and outside the bucket. After 24 hours, compare the two levels. If the pool dropped more than the bucket, you have a leak beyond normal evaporation.

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When should I consider hiring a professional for pool leak detection?

If the bucket test confirms a leak but the dye test doesn't reveal the location, you need professional equipment. Also call a pro for any suspected underground pipe leaks, structural cracks that are growing, or persistent leaks near electrical components like lights and heaters.