Farmingdale NJ Pool Leak Case Study: $800, the Wrong Diagnosis & 3 Broken Pool Lines
When the First Leak Detection Company Gets It Wrong
A homeowner in Farmingdale, NJ, in Monmouth County contacted us after another company had already been hired to find a significant leak in their vinyl liner pool.
The customer had paid the previous company approximately $800 for the leak detection. According to the review the homeowner later posted about that company, they were told there was a possible leak around the pool steps. Epoxy was applied underwater, and the homeowner was advised to contact their pool liner company.
But the pool continued losing water. The problem wasn’t the steps.
The pool actually had three leaking plumbing lines still undiscovered.
Three Underground Pipe Leaks, Not the Pool Steps
When we arrived, we approached the problem differently.
Rather than assuming the water loss was coming from the vinyl liner or stair area, we spoke directly with the homeowner about the symptoms they were experiencing and then systematically assessed the pool to determine where to begin testing.
Our testing identified three leaking plumbing lines:
- Two broken return lines that required underground repair
- A third broken line connected to the pool cleaner that the homeowner no longer needed and elected to have permanently plugged rather than repaired
Even more importantly, we were able to pinpoint the two underground leaks requiring repair to the same area beneath the pool patio.
That meant the homeowner didn’t have to start randomly cutting or removing sections of the patio looking for the breaks. We marked the specific location where our testing indicated the damaged pipes were located.
This is an important part of diagnosing underground pool plumbing leaks. Confirming that a plumbing line leaks is only the first step. When possible, identifying where the line is broken before excavation can significantly reduce unnecessary digging.
Pinpointing the Leaks Before Excavation
Finding out that a pool plumbing line leaks is only part of the job.
When an underground pipe is broken, the next question is:
Where is it broken?
Atlantic Pool Leak Detection uses pressure testing and specialized diagnostic equipment to locate underground plumbing leaks as precisely as possible before digging begins.
In this case, our testing indicated that both leaking return lines were broken in the same location.
We marked the area for repair and addressed the third leaking line by plugging it so it would no longer contribute to the pool’s water loss.
This approach is part of our professional pool leak detection process. The objective is not simply to determine that something is wrong. We want to isolate the actual source of the water loss and, when underground plumbing is involved, pinpoint the affected area before excavation begins.
We Returned to Make the Underground Plumbing Repairs
A couple of weeks later, we returned to the Farmingdale property to dig the area we had previously marked and repair the two broken pipes. Both broken pipes were exactly where we had pinpointed them.
Instead of opening multiple areas and searching for the leaks, both damaged lines were accessible from the same excavation. Once we opened the area, we confirmed that both pipes were leaking in the same spot.
Then we discovered something unusual. The damage had been caused by termites.
Yes, termites.
Termite damage can occur to flexible PVC pipe because the material can be vulnerable to chewing and tunneling. In this case, the damaged areas of the plumbing were consistent with termite activity, which had created openings in the pipes and resulted in the underground leaks.
The damaged sections were removed, the plumbing was repaired, and both lines were restored to service.
Why Professional Pool Leak Detection Matters
This homeowner had already spent approximately $800 and was initially left believing the leak might be associated with the pool steps or vinyl liner. The actual problem was underground plumbing. And there wasn’t just one plumbing leak; there were three!
This case demonstrates why properly diagnosing a leaking pool requires more than visually inspecting the pool and applying epoxy to a suspected area.
A complete leak detection may require individually pressure testing plumbing lines and, when a line fails testing, using specialized equipment to pinpoint the underground break.
That distinction matters.
Pressure testing can establish that a plumbing line is leaking. Pinpointing takes the diagnosis further by determining where along the underground line the failure is located.
Getting the diagnosis wrong can cost a homeowner far more than the price of the original leak detection. It can result in unnecessary repairs, continued water loss, wasted chemicals, repeat service calls, and excavation in the wrong location.
This is why Atlantic focuses on identifying the source of the problem before recommending the next step.
The Result
For this Farmingdale homeowner, the difference between the two diagnoses was significant.
First company:
- Approximately $800 spent on leak detection
- Suspected a leak around the pool steps
- Epoxy applied underwater
- Homeowner advised to contact their liner company
- Pool continued losing water
Atlantic Pool Leak Detection:
- Three leaking plumbing lines identified
- Two broken return lines confirmed
- One unnecessary cleaner line plugged
- Both return-line breaks pinpointed to the same area beneath the patio
- Excavation performed at the marked location
- Both damaged pipes found exactly where testing indicated
- Two underground plumbing lines repaired
- Source of the continuing water loss resolved
Instead of continuing to make repairs based on assumptions, the homeowner finally knew exactly where the water was going.
Pool Leak Detection in Farmingdale, NJ
If your pool is losing water, the most important part of the repair process is getting the diagnosis right.
Atlantic Pool Leak Detection specializes in professional pool leak detection throughout Monmouth County, including Farmingdale and surrounding communities.
With more than 15 years of experience and thousands of pool leak detections performed, our goal is not to guess where your pool is leaking.
Our job is to test the pool, identify the source of the water loss and, when possible, pinpoint hidden underground plumbing leaks before unnecessary repairs or excavation begin.
Homeowners outside Monmouth County can view our New Jersey pool leak detection service areas to learn more about where we work.
If another company has already looked at your pool and it is still losing water, don’t assume the first problem identified is the only problem.
Contact Atlantic Pool Leak Detection or call 732-333-3304 to schedule professional pool leak detection.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you know if a pool leak is in the plumbing?
Pressure testing is one of the most effective ways to determine if a pool’s plumbing system has a leak. If a line fails the pressure test, additional leak detection methods can be used to pinpoint the underground break before excavation begins.
Can a pool have more than one leak at the same time?
Yes. It’s not uncommon for a pool to have multiple leaks. In this case, three separate plumbing lines were leaking. Finding one leak doesn’t always explain all of the water loss, which is why a complete diagnostic process is so important.
Can underground pool plumbing be repaired without digging up the entire yard?
In many cases, no. Once a leaking underground line has been accurately pinpointed, excavation is usually limited to the area of the break instead of replacing the entire plumbing line or digging unnecessarily.
Why is my pool still losing water after a repair?
If your pool continues losing water after a repair, there may be another leak that has not yet been identified. Some pools have multiple simultaneous leaks, and repairing one issue may not resolve the overall water loss if additional leaks remain.
What should I do if another company couldn’t find my pool leak?
If your pool is still losing water after a previous inspection or repair, it may be worth scheduling a second opinion. A systematic leak detection process can help determine if additional problems exist and identify the actual source of the remaining water loss.