How To Find Leaks In Inground Pool Piping
Imagine you walk out to your beautiful backyard oasis one morning, and something feels off. The water level in your pool looks lower than yesterday. Much lower. Your heart starts racing as you realize what's happening. Your pool is leaking, and even worse, you have no idea where.
If you're dealing with this nightmare scenario right now, take a deep breath.
Pool leaks happen to even the most diligent pool owners, and when they occur in your underground piping, they can feel particularly overwhelming. But the good news is, finding leaks in inground pool piping isn't magic. It's a methodical process that combines the right knowledge, proper equipment, and systematic testing approaches.
At Arizona Leak Pros, we've spent over 20 years in the pool industry and more than a decade
specializing in pool leak detection. We've seen every type of pool leak imaginable, from hairline cracks to major underground pipe breaks. Today, we're pulling back the curtain to show you exactly how we find those stubborn leaks hiding beneath your pool deck.
Understanding Your Pool's Underground Plumbing System
Before we dive into detection methods, you need to understand what we’re working with. Your inground pool operates like a miniature city with an intricate network of underground highways. These highways are your pool's plumbing system, and they're responsible for keeping your water clean and circulating properly.
Your pool has two main plumbing systems working together. The suction system includes your skimmer and main drain pipes. Think of this as the intake system that pulls water from your pool and sends it to your filter and heater for cleaning. The pressure system is like the return highway. It pumps that clean, filtered water back into your pool through the return jets.
These underground pipes are typically made of PVC and run beneath your pool deck, connecting all the crucial components. When everything works properly, you never think about them. But when something goes wrong, these hidden pipes can cause major headaches because they're completely out of sight.
The most common areas where underground pipes develop leaks are at connection points where pipes meet other components, beneath the equipment pad where pipes turn vertical, and near fittings where pipes connect to skimmers, drains, or return jets.
Ground movement, temperature changes, aging materials, and even tree roots can all contribute to pipe failures over time.
Suspect You Have a Underground Pool Pipe Leak?
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Step 1:
Confirming You Actually
Have a Pool Leak
Finding a leak in your underground piping starts with becoming a pool detective. The first step involves gathering evidence to determine whether you actually have a plumbing leak.
When a homeowner isn’t sure if their pool’s water loss is due to evaporation or a leak, a simple bucket test can provide the answer.
Our leak detectors always suggest homeowners conduct a bucket test before booking an appointment with us to confirm whether or not their pool is leaking. This simple but crucial test helps distinguish between normal evaporation and actual water loss before you spend money on the full leak detection process. (While we welcome homeowners to conduct it themselves, our team is always happy to handle this process for you.)
But here's where it gets interesting for plumbing leaks. We need to repeat this test twice. Run it once with your pump off for 24 hours, then again with your pump running for another 24 hours. If there is greater water loss when the pump is running, this is a strong indicator that your leak is somewhere in the plumbing system under pressure.
During this initial phase, we also walk the entire property looking for signs of a pool leak. Wet spots in your yard, unusually green patches of grass, or standing water near your equipment can all point toward underground pipe leaks. However, it's important to note that the location of these signs doesn't mean the leak is in that exact spot.
Step 2: Testing Each Pipe Individually
Once we've established that the leak is likely in your plumbing, the real detective work begins with pressure testing. This is where professional leak detection transforms from guesswork into precise science.
Pressure testing works on a simple principle. If you pump air or water into a sealed pipe and the pressure drops, there's a leak somewhere in that line. Professional leak detectors use specialized pressure testing equipment that can isolate individual sections of your pool's plumbing system.
The process starts by turning off your pool's circulation system completely. Safety is crucial during pressure testing because even low pressure can be dangerous if equipment fails. Professional technicians then install expansion plugs to seal off different sections of the plumbing system. These plugs allow them to test each line individually rather than testing the entire system at once.
Using a pressure testing rig, technicians introduce pressurized air into isolated pipe sections. Most residential pool lines are tested at around 10 to 20 PSI. A healthy pipe should hold this pressure indefinitely without any drop. If the pressure gauge shows a decline, that section contains a leak.
The beauty of pressure testing lies in its precision. Rather than guessing which pipe might be problematic, this method definitively identifies exactly which line is compromised.
This saves enormous amounts of time, reduces unnecessary digging, and prevents damage to your property.
Step 3:
Pinpoint Leak Detection
Knowing which pipe is leaking is only half the battle. The next challenge involves pinpointing the exact location of the leak within that pipe. This is where advanced technology and specialized equipment become essential.
Professional pool leak detection companies use acoustic listening devices that can detect the sound of escaping air or water underground.
These aren't ordinary listening devices. They're highly sensitive instruments designed specifically for underground leak detection. Technicians introduce pressurized air into the compromised pipe, then use these acoustic sensors to listen for the unique sound of air escaping through the crack or break.
The process requires skill and experience. Technicians slowly walk the path of the suspected pipe while listening through specialized headphones. When they detect the sound of escaping air, they can literally mark an "X" on your deck or yard indicating exactly where to dig. In most cases, this precision allows for repairs with minimal excavation, often requiring only a small 3x3 foot access hole.
The Expertise That Leak Detectors Bring to Your Pool
While technology plays a crucial role in modern leak detection, the human element remains irreplaceable. Our experienced leak detectors bring years of knowledge about how different types of pools are constructed, where pipes typically run, and how various factors affect underground plumbing systems.
Understanding pool construction methods helps technicians predict likely pipe routes even when original blueprints aren't available. Knowledge of local soil conditions, common construction practices in different eras, and typical failure points allows experienced professionals to work more efficiently and accurately.
Our skilled detectors can also interpret the subtle clues that technology provides. The sound signature of different types of leaks, variations in pressure drop patterns, and environmental factors all influence the detection process. This expertise allows professionals to distinguish between actual leaks and false readings that might confuse less experienced operators.
When Underground Pool Pipe Leaks Turn Serious
Underground pool pipe leaks aren't just about losing water. When left untreated, they can cause significant secondary damage that extends far beyond your pool system.
The escaping water can erode soil beneath your pool deck, potentially causing settling or structural issues. It can kill landscaping, create foundation problems, and even affect neighboring properties.
Pool equipment also suffers when underground leaks persist. Pumps work harder trying to maintain proper water circulation, filters become less effective, and heating costs increase dramatically. The constant introduction of new water when refilling makes maintaining proper chemical balance nearly impossible, leading to water quality issues and potential health concerns.
Perhaps most importantly, underground leaks can compromise your pool's structural integrity over time. The soil that supports your pool walls and deck can slowly wash away, leading to costly structural repairs that far exceed the cost of fixing the original leak.
The Professional Leak Detection Advantage
While some pool owners attempt DIY leak detection, underground pool leaks require specialized equipment and expertise that most homeowners don't possess. Professional-grade pressure testing equipment, acoustic listening devices, and other leak detection tools represent significant investments that only make sense for companies that use them regularly.
Safety considerations also make professional service advisable for underground pool leak detection. Pressure testing can be dangerous if performed incorrectly, and excavation near pool electrical systems requires careful attention to avoid potentially deadly accidents.
Licensed pool leak detection companies also provide comprehensive solutions.
At Arizona Leak Pros, we don’t just find the leak, we have the expertise and equipment to perform permanent repairs as well.
This eliminates the need to coordinate between multiple contractors and ensures that
leak repairs are done correctly the first time.
Pool Leak Prevention and Early Detection
Understanding how to find leaks in underground pool piping is valuable, but preventing them in the first place is even better. Regular maintenance, paying attention to minor issues, and professional inspections can help identify potential problems before they become major headaches.
Pay attention to changes in your pool's behavior. Unexplained water loss, air bubbles in your return lines, difficulty maintaining chemical balance, or wet spots around your equipment area can all indicate developing problems. Addressing these early warning signs can prevent minor issues from becoming major underground leak situations.
Your Underground Pool Leak Solution
When you're facing the stress and uncertainty of a pool leak, especially one hiding in your underground piping, you need professionals who understand both the technical aspects of leak detection and the emotional impact on pool owners. At Arizona Leak Pros, we combine advanced technology with decades of experience to provide accurate pool leak detection and permanent leak repairs.
Our systematic approach ensures that we find every pool leak, no matter how hidden or complex. We use pressure testing, acoustic detection, and other advanced methods to pinpoint exact leak locations, minimizing excavation and property damage.
Most importantly, we stand behind our work with a 100% leak-free guarantee because we believe in permanent solutions, not temporary fixes.
Don't let a hidden underground leak continue draining your pool, your wallet, and your peace of mind. The longer you wait, the more expensive and complicated the problem becomes. Contact Arizona Leak Pros today to schedule!
