Pump On / Pump Off Pool Test Service
A Pump On/Pump Off test will help us determine exactly when (and how much) your pool is leaking. Knowing this information could help point us in the right direction when we come out to diagnose your pool leak. There are 3 areas a pool can leak:
- A pressure side leak in pool plumbing lines (the returns)
- A suction side leak in pool plumbing lines (skimmers and bottom drains)
- A non-plumbing pool leak (pool liner, pool light, skimmer mouths, around penetrations, etc.)
When doing the following tests, keep in mind that the pump CANNOT be running if the water goes below the skimmer. Also, do not do either test when it rains.
Pump On / Pump Off Test Steps:
- Fill the pool to its normal level (halfway up the skimmer or tile)
- Make an accurate mark on the pool where the water is filled to (duct tape on the skimmer plate or tile would work)
- Turn the pump OFF for 24 hrs.
- After 24 hrs., check to see if the water level went down from your tape mark. If so, take pictures of the tape to document the loss.
- If there is a loss, re-fill the pool to the original tape mark.
- Turn the pump ON for 24 hrs.
- After 24 hrs., check to see if the water level went down from your tape mark. If so, take pictures of the tape to document the loss.
Just be sure that you do the 2nd test (pump on) for the same exact amount of time you did the pump off test. If you can do it for the same time period (i.e. 7pm to 7pm) – that would be ideal. Try to do each test for 24 hours if possible.
- If the pool leaks faster (or only) when the pump is ON, this can be an indication the leak is in the pressure side of the pool plumbing
- If the pool leaks faster (or only) when the pump is OFF, this can be an indication the leak is in the suction side of the pool plumbing
- If the pool loses the same amount of water both on and off, then more often the leak is likely non-plumbing related