Spring Checkup: Leaks in Your Pool

Winter can seem long and when it comes time to embrace spring, you cannot wait to open your swimming pool. Once you go through the process of cleaning and preparing your pool for swimming season, you should still keep an eye on your pool. Cold snaps during the winter can cause damage to plumbing and pool equipment that may not be noticeable right away. Once your pool is open, you need to check for leaks from winter damage.

Pool Pump Leaks

If there is a leak in your pool pump, you can have several issues. There are three common places for leaks on pool pumps: the suction side, the discharge side and at the connection of the motor and pump. If there is a leak on the suction side, it is air and can interfere with the pump function. On the discharge side, it is a water leak that will eventually be noticeable with excess water. If the leak is between the motor and pump, the problem is most likely with the shaft seal.

General Pool Leaks

Whether it is caused by freezing or deterioration, leaks can occur in your underground plumbing and the shell of your pool. Once your pool is filled and circulating again, watch for signs of leaking. Wet or soggy areas around the pool can be a sign of underground leaks. Also watch the level of water in your pool; if you need to add water more often than usual, you could have a pool leak.

If you notice signs that a leak was created during the winter, contact your local pool service for repair. In no time, your pool will be ready to enjoy again.

Posted on behalf of:
Somar Pool Service & Repairs
4581 Weston Road
Weston, FL 33331
(954) 840-8544

Bucket Test for Leaking Pools

Do you think your pool is losing water? If you have a pool leak, you want to identify it as soon as possible to ensure it does not damage your property. However, pool water does evaporate and dissipate with use. To determine whether you may have a leak or are losing water from your pool, you can try the “bucket test” to see if you are losing water.

Setting Up Your Bucket Test

The idea of the bucket test is to check if water is evaporating or if there is water leaking from the pool. To do this test, you need to fill a bucket with pool water, about an inch from the top. Also fill your pool to its “full” level. Mark the water level in the bucket and put the bucket on the first or second step into your pool. Also mark the level of the pool water on the side pool or outside of the bucket.

Once your bucket and pool are set, run your pool as normal for at least 24 hours. The bucket and pool water should be similar temperatures, evaporating at the same rate. If after a day the level of your pool has went down farther than the level of water in the bucket, this can indicate a leak. While it does not tell you where the leak is, it does show that water is escaping from the pool beyond just evaporation.

If you suspect you have a leak, call your local pool service that offers leak detection and repairs. The pool service pros can quickly find where your pool is losing water and fix the problem before it causes serious damage to your property or home from erosion and water intrusion.

Posted on behalf of:
Somar Pools, LLC
6538 Collins Ave, #42
Miami Beach, FL 33141
(305) 767-7755

The Science of Finding a Pool Leak

Eventually, every pool will have a leak. It may be small, or it could be significant, but the design of encasing hundreds of gallons of water is bound to fail at one point or another. A pool can last for many years without a leak, but when one does finally occur, the best solution is detecting and repairing it as quickly as possible. A minor leak will only get worse if not repaired. The key is having a pool leak detection expert use the latest technology and methods to find the leak fast, so repair work can begin.

Throw Away the Bucket

The old “bucket test” is still viable for a pool owner to check if their pool is losing water, but it is far from accurate. There are many factors that can impact your water level on your pool, including evaporation and usage. When it comes to finding a pool leak, you want a pool leak specialist that has a scientific method for recognizing a pool leak and determining where it is located.

Pool leak specialists can use a computerized water measuring device that will indicate whether water is being lost in minutes – no waiting for days to measure the water in a bucket. They can also use tools to check the water pressure in the plumbing. Knowing how much the pool is leaking and narrowing down whether it is in the pool or in the plumbing is the first step in pinpointing the leak and ensuring it is repaired quickly.

If you are concerned that you have a pool leak, contact a pool leak specialist that uses the latest technology and tools to quickly find leaks and complete the repair.

Posted on behalf of:
Somar Pools, LLC
6538 Collins Ave, #42
Miami Beach, FL 33141
(305) 767-7755

3 Signs Your Pool Has Issues

Your pool needs regular maintenance and with it, you can enjoy the benefits of your pool with few problems or breakdowns. However, there is always a chance of your pool needing repairs when equipment wears out or other problems occur. Here are three signs to watch out for that could be a warning that your pool has issues and may need a professional repair or service.

  1. Losing water. Is the water level of your pool going down quicker than it should? Losing water beyond evaporation and splash can be a sign of a leak. Plumbing, equipment and the pool lining itself can form leaks – it is important to hire a pool leak detection expert to find and fix your leak before it causes severe damage to your property.
  2. Dirty water. If chemicals and your filtration system are not preventing algae or dirty pool water, there is a problem. You may need your pool backwashed or the filter changed, or there may be a problem with your circulation or pump system. Call your pool repair company to determine the problem that is affecting the safety and cleanliness of your pool water.
  3. Loud or odd noises. If your pool pump and other equipment is making strange or loud noises, it is time to have it inspected by a pool repair company. It may need components repair or replaced. Don’t wait for it to stop working altogether; proactively have it serviced and repaired if needed.

Often, your pool service company can find pool issues before they become problems. Make sure to have your pool equipment serviced a few times a year to keep it running properly and to prevent many common pool problems.

Posted on behalf of:
Somar Pools, LLC
6538 Collins Ave, #42
Miami Beach, FL 33141
(305) 767-7755

Simple Ways to Reduce Water Loss in Your Pool

Water loss is inevitable in your swimming pool. Warm weather causes evaporation and water is lost whenever you and your family go in and out of the pool. However, you can cut down on water loss and reduce your water bill by implementing a few conversation methods. Here are some simple ways to prevent water loss and conserve water in your pool.

  • Use a pool cover. Covering your pool when it is not in use helps reduce evaporation. It also improves safety and keeps debris out of the pool. Talk to your pool service about installing a quality pool cover.
  • Turn down the temperature. Warmer water evaporates quicker. Keep the heater turned down to the lowest level in cooler times of the year and turn it off altogether turning the summer to reduce water waste.
  • Minimize the use of water features. Waterfalls and other water features cause more water loss. Consider turning these features off when you are not at home, at night and other times when they are not being appreciated to conserve water.
  • Check for leaks. Are your conservation tips not reducing water loss? You could have a small leak. Do the bucket test to check to make sure you do not have a leak. If you do, call your pool service immediately for a leak repair.
  • Keep up with pool maintenance. A well-maintained pool uses less water for backwashing and to regulate the PH balance. Hire a pool professional to keep your pool maintained.

These few simple steps can help reduce the amount of water you use in your pool, helping lower water bills and conserve on water.

Posted on behalf of:
Premier Pool Enterprises
3502 Sixes Road, #108
Canton, GA 30114
(494) 496-5579

How Can You Tell if Your Pool Is Leaking?

It is an unfortunate fact that many pools will get a leak at one point or another. It could be a loose seal around a drain, in the underground plumbing or in the pump equipment. Pool leaks can start small, but they rarely stay that way. A big leak can do extensive damage to your property and even your home, costing thousands of dollars.

The best solution when it comes to pool leaks is catching them right away. This can be tough. A big pool with a small leak is not always immediately noticeable. However, if you know what to look for, you can catch it before it does too much damage or gets worse. Here are a few signs to look for that may alert you to a leak:

  • Soft ground. If you have underground plumbing that goes under your yard to the pool, leaks can be under the grass. Look for soggy spots on your lawn near the pool or areas of grass that are different (greener, yellow or taller). There could be a water leak under the ground.
  • Finding puddles around the pool equipment or pump? Look for trickles of water from fixtures. Often a worn-out washer or other fixture can spring a leak.
  • Water level. Small leaks can take quite a while to affect the water level, but it will happen. It your pool water level is going down more than usual, it is time to call in a leak detection specialist right away.

One of the many benefits of having a professional clean and service your pool regularly is they can catch even small leaks during their service. However, if you service your pool yourself, keep an eye out for these leak alerts and call in a professional if you think your pool is leaking for a repair.

Posted on behalf of:
Somar Pool Service & Repairs
4581 Weston Road
Weston, FL 33331
(954) 840-8544

Where Is Your Pool Leak?

Are you concerned that you have a pool leak? If you have done the tried-and-true bucket test and found you are losing water, you know you have a problem. But how severe is it and where is the leak? When it comes to pool leaks, there are a plethora of areas that can be to blame. Here are a few of the places where you could be leaking water from your pool:

  • Fittings and drains. One of the most common places for pool leaks is around any type of fitting or drain. Anywhere a seam is needed between the pool cement or shell can lose its seal and begin to leak. Lights, drains, skimmers and other fittings are always a good place to start looking for leaks.
  • Plumbing. Although less common, your plumbing to the pool could be the source of your leak. Unfortunately, many of these pipes are often underground, but you can inspect the pipes and plumbing you do have access to.
  • Shell or pool walls. If there is a crack in your pool that is leaking water, you have a major issue on your hands. This can be indicative of bigger problems with your pool and needs professional attention immediately.

Pool leaks will not get better without a repair, so finding the source is the first step in fixing the issue. Most pool owners will have a hard time finding a pool leak on their own, much less fixing it. If you have a leak, call your local pool service that offers leak repairs. They can quickly find the source of the leak and give you repair options to get it stopped.

Posted on behalf of Somar Pools, LLC
Miami Beach, FL
(305) 767-7755

Dangers of a Pool Leak

It is easy to notice a pool leak during the summer. You use your pool all the time and a drop in water level or wet areas around the pool are easy to spot during swimming season. Then, when the winter months roll around, in can be easy to miss these signs. However, a pool leak is even more dangerous if allowed to go undetected. Here are a few ways a pool leak can affect you and your home.

  • Water waste. A pool leak is a large waste of water. Not only is this a drain on natural resources and energy, it is a drain on your bank account.  You could be losing hundreds or even thousands of gallons of water each month through a pool leak.
  • Water damage. Leaking water can create havoc on your property, including damage to your home’s foundation. A large leak could even cause flooding in your basement and lead to interior water and mold damage. This is a very costly expense and made worse the longer it goes undetected.
  • Soil erosion. Underground leaks from your pool can cause major soil erosion, destroying expensive landscaping and causing sinkholes in your yard.

To avoid these hazardous pool leak problems, make sure you are inspecting your pool every week, even during the winter months. Check the water levels and look for wet spots around the pool. If you think you may have a leak, call your local pool experts. They can quickly examine your pool and detect any leaks. The quicker leaks are caught and repaired, the better chance you have to avoid expensive damage to your home and property.

Posted on behalf of Somar Pool Service & Repairs
4581 Weston Road
Weston, FL 33331
(954) 840-8544

3 Signs of a Pool Leak

One of the most common issues with owning a pool is a leak. A small rupture in the lining, shell or even in the plumbing can allow water to seep from your pool into your property. Even a small leak can lose hundreds of gallons of water a day, eroding the surrounding soil and even damaging your home. While a big leak may be obvious, those smaller pool leaks can be just as destructive if not fixed quickly. Here are three signs that you may have a pool leak that needs repair.

  1. Water loss. The most evident sign of a leak is a noticeable loss of water in your pool. Although you will lose water from splash and evaporation, if the water level is going down quicker than normal, there is a good chance you have a leak. Keep an eye on your water bill for changes in water use.
  2. Wet ground. If you notice areas in the ground surrounding your pool that are wet or maybe the grass is greener in one area, you may have a leak underground.
  3. Bubbles. Look for air bubbles that are coming up in your pool. If the leak is allowing air to come in underwater into the pool, small bubbles may appear over the leak or ruptured area.

If you think you may have a leak, you need to call your local pool repair service that specializes in leak detection and repair. Using specialized equipment, they can find the exact spot of the leak and begin the repair process. This can prevent further damage to your property and home, plus get your pool back to running efficiently.

Posted on behalf of Somar Pools, LLC
Miami Beach, FL
(305) 767-7755

The Pool Leak Bucket Test

Some water loss from your swimming pool is normal.  Depending on where you live, a pool can lose half an inch of water per day or more to normal evaporation loss.  Water loss will be higher in hot, dry areas and some pool designs loose more water than others.  In addition, if the pool gets heavy use, especially from children, a surprisingly large amount of water can be splashed out of the pool.

A simple bucket test will tell you whether or not your pool is losing water.  Place a brick in a large bucket and put the bucket on a step in the pool so that about half of the bucket is above the water.  Fill the bucket with pool water so that the water level in the bucket and the pool are the same.

Turn off the automatic water filling device and the pool pump and refrain from using the pool for at least 24 hours.  Compare the water level in the bucket to the pool water level on the outside of the bucket.  If the pool water level is lower than the bucket water level, you have a pool leak and you need to call a good local pool repair service to find and repair it as soon as possible.

Pool leaks waste hundreds of gallons of water per week and drive up the cost of chemicals to keep the water clear and properly balanced.  They can also cause underground erosion that can damage your home’s foundation.  Don’t wait to repair pool leaks.