Non-Destructive Leak Detection
Initially, we evaluate what has been communicated to us followed by a sight survey of the pool, deck, water features and equipment. The detection process starts with “dye testing.” This process is started at the water line of the pool, working first around the pool perimeter and then downward. The tile line is inspected for missing grout and/or holes. The skimmer is checked around the opening and inside the basket area. Many leaks occur in the skimmer where the plastic skimmer meets the tile grout. The pool jets or returns are thoroughly checked where the finish meets the plastic pipe.
For vinyl pools, we use the latest technology to pinpoint holes in your pool’s liner. By using this method, we can precisely locate leaks faster and more accurately than traditional means, which converts into savings for our customers. Typically, once the leaks are discovered, Atlantic Pool Leak can make the necessary repairs that same day. In most cases the repairs will eliminate the need to completely replace the liner. The next step would be to use scuba gear to check the light and main drain. At Atlantic Pool Leak Detection, we are PADI-certified divers. We use a special “tender” style dive set up. The dive tank or tank-less system is gently placed on the pool deck. The diver enters the water and uses an extended air hose to check the pool. This system reduces any chance of the dive tank damaging the finish and tile of the pool. Following the tile, grout lines, and shell testing, the lights, floor drains, and main drains are tested. Light conduits are also a common place to find leaks. While most main drains do not leak, there are always exceptions! The entire pool is examined by our certified divers, who will also check along the steps, swim-outs, shelves and any other areas that could be a problem. If a leak is located, it is repaired by a two-part underwater epoxy for concrete pools or vinyl repair products for pools with liners. The pool does NOT have to be drained to make this type of repair.
What Does Non-Invasive Pool Leak Detection Mean?
Finding a pool leak should not begin with tearing up a patio or digging around underground plumbing based on a guess.
Atlantic Pool Leak Detection uses a systematic testing process to narrow down where water is escaping before a repair is recommended. Depending on the pool and the symptoms, this may involve pressure testing individual plumbing lines, electronic or acoustic leak detection, dye testing, and underwater investigation.
“Non-invasive” does not mean that every pool leak can ultimately be repaired without excavation. A broken underground pipe may still need to be physically accessed. The advantage is that testing can help determine what is leaking and, in many cases, where the problem is located before digging begins.
That distinction can prevent unnecessary excavation and help make any repair work more targeted.
Pool Leak Detection Methods We Use
There is no single test that identifies every type of swimming pool leak. The appropriate method depends on whether the suspected water loss is coming from the pool itself, an underwater fitting, the liner, or underground plumbing.
Electronic and Acoustic Pool Leak Detection
When a plumbing line has been confirmed to leak, specialized electronic and acoustic equipment can help locate the sound or other indications associated with water escaping from a buried pipe.
This is particularly useful for underground pool plumbing because the broken pipe may be hidden beneath concrete, pavers, landscaping, or soil.
Pressure testing and pinpointing should not be confused. Pressure testing tells us whether a line is leaking. Electronic or acoustic detection can then help determine where along that underground line the failure is located.
For a deeper explanation of this process, visit our underground pool plumbing leak detection page.
Pool Dye Leak Detection
Dye testing is useful when there is a specific underwater area suspected of leaking. A small amount of pool leak dye can be introduced near a fitting, crack, light niche, skimmer, liner defect, or other suspected location.
If water is actively escaping through that area, movement of the dye can help confirm the leak.
Dye testing is most useful when there is already a suspected location to investigate. It is not a substitute for testing the entire pool system when the source of the water loss is unknown.
Our professional pool divers can perform underwater inspections and dye testing when submerged components need to be evaluated more closely.
Pressure Testing Pool Plumbing
Pressure testing is used to determine whether an individual plumbing line is holding pressure or leaking.
Depending on the pool configuration, skimmer lines, return lines, main drain plumbing, spa plumbing, cleaner lines, and other pool-related lines may need to be isolated and tested independently.
A failed pressure test confirms that there is a problem within the tested line. It does not automatically identify the exact location of the underground break. If a buried line fails testing, additional pinpointing may be required before repair or excavation begins.
Hydrostatic Leak Testing
Hydrostatic testing uses water pressure to evaluate whether a component or system is holding as expected. In pool leak detection, the exact application of hydrostatic testing depends on what part of the pool is being evaluated and the diagnostic question being answered.
Ultrasonic Pool Leak Detection
Ultrasonic and other electronic listening technologies can be used in some leak-detection applications to identify sounds associated with escaping water.
What if no leak is found with the dye test or liner test?
If the pool is still leaking and the dye test doesn’t find it, the next step is to Pressure Test the pool’s plumbing system. This pressure test checks all of the above and also underground plumbing for leaks. This is performed by plugging off all of the pool returns and suction outlets with special plugs. A pressure test manifold is hooked into the system. We then pressurize that system using one or more specific methods. The line(s) that do not hold pressure for more than 5 minutes are the leaking sections. The second part of the pressure test involves taking our acoustic equipment across the ground and pool deck to accurately determine exactly where the leak is. This process is also performed with the pool full. After the underground leak is pinpointed, the necessary repairs can be made with extremely little or no visible damage.
What to Expect During a Pool Leak Detection Appointment
Every pool is different, but the diagnostic process generally moves from understanding the symptoms to narrowing down possible leak sources and testing the areas most likely to explain the water loss.
1. Discuss the Water-Loss Symptoms
The process starts with understanding what the homeowner has observed. How quickly is the pool losing water? Does the loss change when the equipment runs? Has any repair already been attempted? Are there wet areas, air entering the system, or other symptoms?
These details can help determine where testing should begin.
2. Evaluate the Pool and Equipment
The pool, accessible fittings, equipment, and other relevant areas can be evaluated for indications of a leak. What happens next depends on what the initial evaluation shows.
3. Test Suspected Leak Sources
Different diagnostic methods can then be used to narrow down the problem. This may include dye testing, pressure testing individual plumbing lines, underwater inspection, or electronic and acoustic leak detection.
The goal is to eliminate possible causes systematically rather than assume the first suspicious area is responsible for all of the water loss.
4. Pinpoint the Leak When Necessary
If an underground plumbing line fails pressure testing, the investigation may continue with specialized equipment to determine where the buried pipe is broken.
Pinpointing the location before excavation can allow a repair contractor to target the suspected area rather than search for the break by digging.
5. Review the Findings and Next Steps
Once testing is complete, the findings determine what comes next. Some leaks may qualify for underwater repair. Broken underground plumbing may require targeted access and pipe repair. In other situations, additional work may be recommended based on what testing reveals.
The important part is that the repair recommendation follows the diagnosis.
What Happens If No Pool Leak Is Found?
There are situations where testing may not identify an active leak during an appointment. That does not mean a leak should be invented simply to provide an answer.
Conditions at the time of testing, intermittent water loss, multiple pool systems, or symptoms that cannot be reproduced may affect what can be confirmed.
If you are unsure whether your pool is actually leaking before scheduling professional testing, comparing the pool’s water loss against evaporation can be a useful first step.
Do You Receive a Written Pool Leak Detection Report?
Documentation can be useful when leak detection results need to be provided to a pool contractor, repair company, insurance carrier, buyer, seller, or another party.
If you need specific documentation for a repair, real estate transaction, insurance matter, or another purpose, ask about those requirements when scheduling the appointment.
Non-Invasive Pool Leak Detection in New Jersey
Atlantic Pool Leak Detection provides specialized swimming pool leak detection throughout New Jersey using diagnostic methods selected according to the pool and suspected source of water loss.
Our objective is straightforward: determine where the water is actually escaping before unnecessary repairs or excavation begin.
If testing indicates that the problem is underwater, a professional pool diver may be part of the investigation. If testing confirms a buried plumbing leak, additional pinpointing may be used to locate the underground failure.
Visit our New Jersey pool leak detection service area to learn more about where we provide professional pool leak detection.
