Enjoy Your Pool, Stop the Leaks, and Save Your Resources!

by Jennifer Nagel / Published June 2014

It is a known fact that all swimming pools are eventually going to leak. One in 20 is leaking right now! Your swimming pool is a fantastic asset and a definite crowd-pleaser, so it is also important that you keep it running efficiently. Water being one of our most precious resources, we all have to work together to conserve every drop. Even a small leak in a pool can amount to thousands of gallons of water loss a week. Not only is this costly for your pocket books, but it is also costly for our earth.

Commercial pools face far more use than residential pools, making them more susceptible to wear and tear that can easily cause leaks. For the average homeowner with a residential pool, a leak problem generally makes itself evident clearly and quickly. In a setting where you have a commercial pool, however, a leak may not be something that is realized right away. 

All pools will lose water due to environmental factors such as evaporation and wind. There will also be some loss of water due to normal use. Those cannonballs will most certainly account for some water loss! Most commercial pools have an auto fill in order to guarantee that the pool will always be filled, open, and operational for the community residents. For this reason, monitoring water levels, which is what most homeowners will do, is often times not an option in a commercial setting. 

What are some of the typical clues that your commercial pool may have sprung a leak? First and most common is a rise in the amount of chemicals needed in order to keep the pool water balanced, clean, and clear of algae. Many of our customers contact us because their pool service company is continually increasing the amount of chemicals needed due to the fact that the pool is leaking them out, along with the water. Another indication of a pool leak is a higher water bill. While this can be caused by a multitude of possibilities, one way to determine if it is related to the pool would be to turn off the auto fill and monitor the pool water level overnight. If a drop is evident, then it is likely that a leak is present. Other clues that you need leak detection can include visible areas of the deck lifting, streams of air bubbles in the pool, pool tiles that are cracked or missing, wet areas around the pool that will not dry out, dead plants or uneven spots in the grass around the pool area, or any cracking in the shell of the pool. 

If you suspect a pool leak, it is important to have it addressed as early as possible. More often than not, it is just a simple matter of what can be considered a normal maintenance measure in order to have the source of the leak located and appropriately sealed. This typically can be taken care of for a relatively small cost. An experienced, licensed, pool leak detection company should be able to inspect the swimming pool thoroughly for active or potential leak issues and once the source of the leak is determined, make the necessary repairs. Most leak detection companies should be able to provide a quote over the phone if answers to the following questions can be provided:

• Is it a pool only or does it include a spa?
• Is the pool equipment above or below ground?
• How many pumps are there?
• Is the pool constructed of fiberglass, gunite, marcite, or vinyl?
• How many skimmers or scum gutters are there?
• Does it leak more with the filter on or with it off?
• Are there any fittings in the floor of the pool other than the main drain?
• How much water does it lose in a 24-hour period?

It is important to remember that if left unchecked, all leaks will continue to grow over time. The potential for more severe and permanent damage to the pool and property increases the longer that a leak goes undetected. Costs will also add up when considering the need for the replacement of lost water and chemicals over time. In addition, we also have to protect one of our most valuable resources. Water! 

For these reasons, many condominium and homeowners associations will opt to have a leak inspection performed on a seasonal or yearly basis, regardless of whether or not any noticeable signs of a problem are present. Especially in Florida where we have warm weather almost year round, pools provide endless hours of entertainment, exercise, relaxation, and fun to all who enjoy them. These preventative measures will ensure year-round use of your commercial pool in the Sunshine State!