If your pool is losing water, the first thing we need to determine is where that water is going.
It could be a small hole in a vinyl liner. It could be leaking around a pool light or skimmer. It could also be a broken plumbing line several feet underground where there is absolutely nothing visible from the surface.
That is what pool leak detection is designed to figure out.
Atlantic Pool Leak Detection specializes specifically in finding swimming pool leaks. We perform more than 400 leak detections during a typical pool season, so we see everything from straightforward liner leaks to underground plumbing problems that other companies have struggled to locate.
Our job is not to guess which part looks suspicious. Our job is to test the pool and tell you what is leaking and, whenever possible, exactly where it is leaking.
If your pool is losing water, call 732-333-3304 in New Jersey or 718-532-4880 in Staten Island. Same-week appointments may be available depending on location and scheduling.
What Is Pool Leak Detection?
In plain language, pool leak detection is a process of eliminating possibilities until we identify the source of the water loss.
A swimming pool has two basic places it can leak:
- The pool itself, including the liner, shell, skimmer, lights, fittings, drains and other penetrations.
- The plumbing that carries water between the pool and equipment.
The problem is that you usually cannot tell which one is leaking just by looking at the pool.
That’s why we test.
A proper swimming pool leak detection may involve checking the pool structure, testing individual plumbing lines, evaluating fittings and using specialized equipment to locate a leak underground.
We are looking for evidence that confirms the problem before anyone starts making repairs.
If you want to understand the warning signs before scheduling service, our Pool Leak Guide explains what homeowners should watch for when a pool starts losing water.
How We Find Swimming Pool Leaks Without Draining the Pool or Digging Up Your Yard
One of the first questions homeowners ask is, “Are you going to have to drain my pool?” Usually, no. In fact, we normally need water in the pool to properly perform the testing.
The same principle applies to digging.
If we suspect an underground plumbing problem, we do not start opening patios or digging holes to see what we find. We first test the plumbing to determine which line is leaking. Once a leaking line is confirmed, specialized equipment can often help us pinpoint the break underground.
That means the diagnosis comes before excavation.
Our non-destructive leak detection process is designed to narrow the problem down before repair work begins.
If the leak turns out to be underwater, many repairs can also be completed while the pool remains full.
The Pool Leak Detection Methods We Use
There isn’t one machine that finds every pool leak.
A vinyl liner leak requires a different approach from a broken return line under a concrete patio. The method we use depends on what the pool is doing and what our testing tells us.
Pressure Testing
Pressure testing is one of the most important tools we have for diagnosing underground plumbing leaks.
We isolate individual plumbing lines and test whether they can maintain pressure.
If a line holds pressure, that gives us useful information.
If it does not, we know there is a problem somewhere along that plumbing run.
The important part is that pressure testing tells us which line has a problem. From there, we can work on determining where along that line the failure is located.
You can read more about pool pressure testing and how we use it to diagnose hidden plumbing problems.
Electronic and Acoustic Listening Equipment
Once we know an underground line is leaking, finding the break is the next challenge.
We use specialized electronic and acoustic equipment to listen for the disturbance created by water or air escaping from the damaged plumbing.
This can allow us to narrow a leak down to a much smaller area before excavation begins.
That distinction matters.
Knowing that “the return line leaks” is useful. Knowing where the return line is broken is much more useful when someone has to open an expensive patio to repair it.
Our guide to underground pool plumbing leaks explains this process in greater detail.
Dye Testing
Dye testing is much simpler, but it is extremely useful in the right situation.
We introduce a small amount of dye near a suspected leak location and watch how it behaves. If water is escaping through that area, the dye may be pulled toward the opening.
We commonly use dye around areas such as:
- Skimmers
- Return fittings
- Pool lights
- Cracks
- Vinyl liner damage
- Other penetrations through the pool structure
Dye testing is useful for leaks we can access inside the pool. It does not replace pressure testing when the problem is inside an underground plumbing line.
Underwater Testing
Some leaks require us to get into the pool.
That allows us to closely evaluate liners, fittings, lights, drains and other areas that cannot be properly checked from the deck.
The difference is that underwater testing is one part of our leak detection service, not the entire service.
If the leak is underground, simply diving into the pool will not locate it. Our We Are More Than Scuba Divers page explains why evaluating both the pool and its plumbing is so important.
What Happens During a Pool Leak Detection Appointment?
Before we arrive, we will usually ask you questions about what the pool has been doing.
How quickly is it losing water?
Does it lose more with the pump running?
Does the water stop dropping at a particular level?
Has anyone already performed repairs?
Those answers matter. They help us understand the symptoms before we start testing.
Once we’re at the property, we evaluate the pool and determine which tests make sense. Depending on the situation, that may mean checking the pool structure, pressure testing plumbing lines, dye testing suspected areas, or using electronic equipment to locate an underground break.
The important thing is that we follow the evidence.
If we find one problem but it does not explain the amount of water you’re losing, we keep looking.
We’ve seen pools with more than one leak. We’ve also been called after homeowners spent thousands repairing something that turned out not to be responsible for the water loss.
Finding something wrong is not the same thing as finding the leak.
How Long Does Swimming Pool Leak Detection Take?
Most residential swimming pool leak detection appointments take approximately one to two hours.
Some are faster. Some take longer.
A straightforward liner leak is very different from a pool with an attached spa, waterfall, main drain, multiple return lines and several underground plumbing circuits.
The goal is not to get out of your backyard as quickly as possible. The goal is to leave you with an accurate answer.
If a repair can be completed underwater during the appointment, we may be able to address it at the same visit. More involved underground plumbing repairs may require a separate repair after the damaged line has been pinpointed.
Why Experience Matters in Pool Leak Detection
We perform more than 400 pool leak detections each season.
That volume matters because unusual situations stop being unusual when you diagnose swimming pool leaks every day.
We’ve seen pools with two separate leaks. We’ve seen failed plumbing lines that were not responsible for the active water loss. We’ve seen homeowners replace liners only to discover the leak was somewhere else. We’ve also pinpointed underground plumbing failures after previous companies identified the wrong excavation location.
Equipment is important, but the technician still has to interpret what the equipment is telling them.
Our pool leak case studies show real examples of leaks we’ve diagnosed and the problems homeowners avoided by getting the correct answer before making additional repairs.
What Our Customers Say
Many customers contact Atlantic Pool Leak Detection after another company has already attempted to find the leak.
That is why our reputation is built as much on diagnosis as it is on the equipment we use.
Homeowners regularly mention our thoroughness, communication and ability to identify problems that previous service calls did not resolve. You can read their experiences on our Customer Reviews page.
If your pool has already been looked at and you’re still losing water, tell us what has already been tested or repaired. That information can be extremely useful when we start our own diagnosis.
Pool Leak Detection Service Area
Atlantic Pool Leak Detection provides professional pool leak detection and swimming pool leak detection throughout New Jersey and Staten Island, NY.
New Jersey is our primary service area, with regular appointments throughout Monmouth, Middlesex, Ocean and other counties across the state.
Visit our New Jersey Pool Leak Detection page to find county and local service information.
Staten Island homeowners can learn more about our Staten Island pool leak detection services.
Same-week appointments may be available depending on the time of year, your location and our current schedule.
Need Pool Leak Detection? Call Atlantic Pool Leak Detection
If you’re adding water every few days, don’t keep guessing at the cause.
We’ll determine what needs to be tested, work through the pool systematically and give you the clearest answer we can about where your water is going.
That’s what we do, more than 400 times every pool season.
For pool leak detection in New Jersey, call 732-333-3304.
For swimming pool leak detection in Staten Island, call 718-532-4880.
Same-week appointments may be available. You can also contact Atlantic Pool Leak Detection to request an appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much water loss is normal in a swimming pool?
Some water loss from evaporation is normal. Heat, wind, humidity, sunlight, and pool use can all affect evaporation rates. If you’re consistently adding water or noticing unusually rapid water loss, professional pool leak detection may be needed.
Do I need to drain my pool for leak detection?
No. Most swimming pool leak detection is performed with the pool filled to its normal operating level. Many underwater repairs can also be completed without draining the pool.
How long does pool leak detection take?
Most residential pool leak detection appointments take approximately one to two hours. Larger pools, attached spas, water features, and complex plumbing systems may require additional testing time.
Can a pool leak come and go?
It can appear that way. Some plumbing leaks change depending on whether the equipment is running, while other leaks may slow when the water reaches a certain level. Changing groundwater conditions can also affect how some leaks behave.
Can you find an underground pool leak without digging?
Yes. We first use pressure testing to determine which plumbing line is leaking. Specialized electronic and acoustic equipment can then help pinpoint the underground break before excavation begins.
Are underground pool plumbing leaks common?
Yes. Underground leaks can occur in return lines, skimmer lines, main drains, spa plumbing, cleaner lines, and water-feature plumbing. Learn more about underground pool plumbing leaks and how we locate them.
Can an underground pool leak wash away soil?
Yes. Water escaping from underground plumbing can erode surrounding soil and create voids beneath patios, decking, or other areas. Continued erosion can eventually contribute to settling or movement.
Are swimming pool leaks worse in winter?
Not necessarily, but winter leaks can go unnoticed longer because the pool is covered and not being regularly monitored. Significant water loss can potentially damage liners, covers, plumbing, or other pool components.
Can dye testing find every pool leak?
No. Dye testing is useful for checking suspected leaks around liners, skimmers, fittings, pool lights, cracks, and other accessible areas. Underground plumbing leaks require other diagnostic methods, including pressure testing.
Do you repair pool leaks after finding them?
We can complete many underwater repairs, including certain liner, fitting, light, and structural repairs. Underground plumbing repairs may require separate excavation after the exact location of the break has been pinpointed.
What is the difference between a pool diver and a pool leak detection company?
A pool diver can inspect visible underwater areas and perform certain repairs. Professional leak detection services can also pressure test plumbing, isolate individual lines, and use specialized equipment to locate underground leaks that cannot be seen from inside the pool.
Can a swimming pool have more than one leak?
Yes. A pool can have multiple leaks at the same time. Finding one broken component does not necessarily mean you’ve found everything responsible for the water loss. Complete testing helps determine whether additional leaks are present.
Case Studies
Port Reading, NJ – Broken Return Line Found Before an Unnecessary $5,000 Skimmer Line Replacement
Lebanon, NJ – Broken Skimmer Line Found After Previous Leak Detection Company Couldn’t Find the Leak
Farmingdale, NJ – Three Leaking Pool Lines Found After an $800 Misdiagnosis
Monmouth Junction, NJ – Two-Year Pool Leak Pinpointed Beside the Patio
Freehold, NJ – Small Vinyl Liner Leak Found After Two Years of Water Loss
Marlboro, NJ – Three Visits By Another Company and Nearly $750 Later, the Pool Was Still Leaking
Hillsborough, NJ – Four Liner Holes Found After a Previous Diver Missed the Leak
Manalapan, NJ – Misleading Spa Symptoms and a Broken Skimmer Line
Toms River, NJ – Skimmer Leak Found and Repaired After a Diver Couldn’t Find It
Freehold NJ Pool Leak Case Study: Four Inches of Water Lost in One Hour, but the Pool Was Not Leaking
Morganville NJ Pool Leak Case Study | $1,050 Spent Before the Real Leak Was Found
Chester NJ Pool Leak Detection Case Study | Pool Light Leak Repaired Underwater
