Pump On / Pump Off Test

Pump On / Pump Off Pool Test Service

A Pump On / Pump Off test will help us gather indications of where your pool leak may be coming from. There are 3 main areas a pool will leak:

  1. A pressure side leak in pool plumbing lines (the returns)
  2. A suction side leak in pool plumbing lines (skimmers and drains)
  3. A non-plumbing pool leak (pool liner, pool light, skimmer mouths, around penetrations)

Pump On / Pump Off Test Steps:

  1. Fill your pool to its normal level (usually half way up the skimmer, tile line, or liner pattern)
  2. Make an accurate mark in two places on the pool, up to where the pool is filled
  3. Turn the pump ON for 12-24 hours and measure the water loss, if any
  4. If there is a loss, re-fill the pool and make another accurate mark
  5. Turn the pump OFF for 12 -24 hours and measure the water loss if any

NOTE: Try and do these tests at the same time of day for the same amount of time

  • If the pool lost more water with the pump ON, the indication is a leak in the pressure side of the pool plumbing
  • If the pool lost more water with the pump OFF, the indication is a leak in the suction side of the pool plumbing
  • If the pool lost an equal (or almost equal) amount regardless of whether the pump was on or off, the leak is most likely non-plumbing related