It’s natural for your pool to lose some water due to evaporation, some to splash out and some to backwashing your filter. But if you routinely need to add more than two inches of water to your pool per week, you may have a leak. Before spending thousands of rands on a pool technician, rather give your pool a once-over and determine whether you can’t fix it yourself – how to check for leaks is as easy as pie!

How to check for leaks in your swimming pool

• Check the obvious first: Are there any leaks at the equipment pad? Look closely at the filter, pump, heater and the pipe valves.Are there any wet areas around the pool? Check the ground for moisture. Walk around the pool and by the pool and the equipment. Check for wet soil and sunken or eroding areas.Do you have a vinyl liner pool? Look for tears or separations around all the fittings, skimmers, returns, cleaner line, lights, steps and the corners.

• If you want to confirm a leak, try one of these techniques to double-check: If you suspect your pool is leaking, there are several ways to check. Mark the water level of the pool at the skimmer. Use a piece of tape or grease pencil to mark the water level. Check the mark 24 hours later. Your pool should lose no more than 0.6 cm per day. Otherwise, a leak is indicated. Place a bucket filled with pool water on a pool step (weight it with a rock or brick). Mark the water level on both the inside and the outside of the bucket. Make sure the water levels are the same inside the bucket as the pool water level outside the bucket. Check the mark 24 hours later. If there’s a greater drop in the line on the outside of the bucket, a leak in the pool is indicated. This test needs to be conducted with the pump on, then again with the pump off.

• Determine the location of the leak: If you determine that your pool is losing water, turn off the filtration system and note where the water stops dropping. Vinyl Liner pools need to have water in them at all times! Stop this test if you have a liner pool and the water level is dropping rapidly. Start adding water and call a pool professional. If the water stops at the bottom of skimmer opening, the leak is probably in the skimmer or filtration system (including the pipes). If you suspect you have a leak in the filtration system check first to see if you see air bubbles in the water in the return line when the pool’s pump is running. If so, there is a leak in the suction side of the filtration system.Ensure the pump basket lid is on tight and that the lid o-ring is lubed and in good condition.If the water stops at the light, the leak is probably at the light housing.If the water drops below the light, then there may be a leak in the drain at the bottom the pool.If the pool is losing more water while the pump is running, the leak is on the return line side of the system. In this case, check the waste or backwash line for running water. If you suspect you have a leak in the skimmer, light, liner, look closely for something that looks like a crack, gap or tear.

These easy to follow steps will help you check if you have a leak and of course, the next step is learning how to fix the leak yourself – if you can indeed do that.

Still not too sure if you can sort the leak out? Don’t worry, you can contact Pool Spa & Filtration. Pool Spa & Filtration will be able to assist you in detecting your leak and giving you the advice that you need to sort it out. From pool accessories to fixing leaks, Pool Spa & Filtration will be able to assist you. To find out more about the products and services on offer through Pool Spa & Filtration, visit their website www.poolspa.co.za