How to Check for Pool Leaks in Winter

December 17, 2025

As the cold months approach, it’s easy to assume that your pool is safe for the winter after it’s been prepped and covered. However, detecting leaks during the winter is just as important as during warmer months. Unchecked leaks can worsen, causing serious damage to your pool’s structure. To avoid costly repairs in the spring, winter pool leak detection is essential. Here’s a guide on how to check for pool leaks in winter and protect your pool from potential harm.

Why Leak Detection in Winter Is Important

During the winter, an undetected leak can escalate due to freezing temperatures, but the biggest risk is hydrostatic lift (or ‘pool popping’). When a pool’s water level drops too low, it reduces the necessary weight that holds the structure in place. Groundwater—from rain or melting snow—can build up around the pool shell. This external pressure pushes up on the lightweight, empty pool shell, causing it to pop out of the ground. This catastrophic failure is one of the costliest damages a pool can sustain.

Signs of Pool Leaks in the Winter

The best way to determine if the pool is leaking over the winter is to check under the cover to see if there is a drop in the water level. This is the clearest sign while the pool is winterized to determine if the pool is leaking.

While a drop in water level under the cover is the clearest indication, look for these secondary signs:

  • Soggy Ground or Excess Ice: Check the area surrounding the pool, especially along the underground plumbing runs or near the equipment pad. Unusually wet, muddy, or icy patches often point to a leak where water is escaping underground.
  • Equipment Pad Wetness: Even if the system is winterized and drained, check the pump, filter, and heater area. Freezing temperatures can crack fittings or small components, causing residual water to leak onto the pad, which may indicate freeze damage that will worsen when the pool is opened.

What to Do if Your Pool Leaks Over the Winter

During the winter months a professional pool leak detection is much more difficult to perform, and will be dependent on things like location, symptoms, type of pool, etc.. Although you can take steps to possibly identify potential leaks on your own, winter pool leak detection often requires specialized equipment/technology and trained professionals to catch small, hidden leaks that may not be visible. Calling a professional pool leak detection company is recommended to ensure you do not cause any of the costly and invasive issues that were mentioned previously.

If you confirm or strongly suspect a leak, take these immediate steps to stabilize the pool structure:

  • Mark the Level: Use waterproof tape to clearly mark the current water level on the inside wall of the pool (if visible). This helps the technician assess the leak rate.
  • Prevent Structural Damage (The Pool Pop): For fiberglass or gunite pools, critically low water levels can lead to the pool shell being pushed out of the ground by surrounding groundwater (known as hydrostatic lift). If the water level drops more than 12 inches below the cover, and temperatures are above freezing, you may need to add a small amount of water to restore stability and weight.
  • Prevent Vinyl Liner Damage: The water in the pool holds the liner in place. Low water levels can result in the liner moving, stretching, contracting, wrinkling and possibly pulling away from the stair molding and/or the track under the coping. Additionally, a small hole causing ¼” loss per day, if left ignored for an entire winter, can get worse and turn into a large tear causing 2” water loss per day. In some cases the unaddressed leak over the course of the winter can cause damage beyond repair, requiring a new liner to be installed for thousands of dollars.

    • If you’re unsure whether your pool has a leak or you’ve spotted some warning signs, it’s best to call in pool leak detection experts in NJ and NY. Professional services can help ensure that your pool remains safe throughout the winter season, preventing bigger issues in the spring/summer.

    Preventing Winter Pool Damage

    Aside from leak detection, there are a few additional steps you can take to maintain your pool during the colder months:

    • Winterize Your Pool Properly: Ensure that your pool has been correctly winterized, with all water drained from the pipes and equipment.
    • Use a Quality Pool Cover: A high-quality pool cover can help keep dirt and debris out of the pool and reduce the possibility of accidentally displacing water.
    • Check the Pool Periodically: Even though your pool may not be in use, occasional checks throughout the winter can help spot issues early.

    Preventative maintenance and winter pool leak detection can help avoid costly repairs and ensure a smooth pool opening in the spring.

    Don’t let winter pool leaks go undetected! If you suspect your pool may have a leak, it’s essential to act quickly. Contact Atlantic Pool Leak Detection for pool leak detection services in New Jersey. Our team of pool leak detection experts in NJ and NY will help you find and fix leaks before they cause serious winter damage. Schedule your leak detection today to protect your pool and enjoy peace of mind all winter long.

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