Question & Answer

Q. - Why stop a leak?
A. - When a pool or spa is leaking water, fresh water is being added sometimes constantly, which in turn makes the chemicals unbalanced and can cause damage to the plaster and equipment. Not only can it affect the balance of the water but can also cause larger damage as in foundation shifts in the house and or the pool itself. Shifts in the soil under the deck can cause cracks in the deck and even decks collapsing.

Q. - What causes leaks?
A. - Several things can cause a leak, the most common cause of a plumbing leak in North Texas is the soil. The soil movement in North Texas causes stress on the fittings and can create a small crack in the fitting itself. Other factors that can cause a leak is tree or vegetation roots, temperature changes, chemical imbalance, constructions mistakes, including soil, settling of the pool shell and faulty equipment.

Q: - How can leaks be repaired?
A: - Most leaks such as small structural leaks can easily be repaired without draining the pool and we use 2 part underwater epoxy or patching plaster. Underground plumbing pipe breaks require a more extensive repair although rarely does the pool need to be drained. Buried pipes under the deck require a small cutout in the deck to access the broken pipe.

Q. - Why is my pool leaking only with the equipment on?
A. - This may indicate a pressure side leak (water going back to the pool). With the filter pump on, the plumbing on the return side is under pressure. Therefore if there is a small crack in a line or fitting the pressure can cause this crack to open up more and allow water to escape at a much higher rate. Another issue could be the waste / backwash valve might not be sealed. If this valve is not sealed properly water will go out the waste line whenever the equipment is running.

Q. - Why is my pool leaking only with the equipment off?
A. - This usually indicates a suction side leak ( water going from the pool to the equipment) . With the filter pump on, the plumbing on the suction side is under vacuum; air can be drawn in through otherwise leaking voids. You may notice air in the return line (coming out of the jets), air in the pump basket or air repeatedly built up inside the filter tank.

Q. – I don’t see any water forming anywhere but my pool water level continues to drop?
A. – Usually you will not see any water form anywhere. Most underground leaks allow the water to be reabsorbed into the soil and back to the water table.