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

How to Check for Plumbing Leaks in Your Pool

Pool leaks can occur without you even knowing they are there. It can take weeks, even months, to realize there is something wrong. Many times, the leaks are inside the pool or in plumbing that is under ground, making it difficult to find the source. You may not realize there is a leak until you get a large water bill or begin noticing your pool water is disappearing quicker than normal. Here are a few ways to proactively check for leaks to protect your pool and property.

The first test is to make sure you have a leak. Water does evaporate and you lose more water when the pool is used more often. The bucket test is a quick way to check for a leak. Fill a bucket with water and set it by the pool. Mark the level of the pool water and the level of water in the bucket. Leave them undisturbed for at least 24 hours. If the pool level drops more than in the bucket, you have a leak.

If you know you have a leak in your pool, you can start checking for any signs near your pool equipment. Look for drips or leaks around any visible plumbing when the pump is running. Check for wet spots or green spots on your lawn that may indicate a leak underground. If your pump keeps needing to be manually primed or air bubbles are emitted from the return jets, you could have a leak in your plumbing.

It can difficult to find the source of a pool leak on your own. Call in your local pool service to help find the source of your leak and get the repair you need.

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

3 Reasons Your Pool Level is Dropping

Have you noticed you need to add water to your pool more often? If you do your own pool maintenance, part of caring for your pool is keeping the water level full. When the water level drops, there are only a few reasons this can happen. Here are three reasons that your pool is losing water.

  1. Excess heat. If the temperatures are nearing the three-digit mark and beyond, you will notice more water loss in your pool. Simple evaporation is the reason and should be expected when the hottest days of summer arrive.
  2. Daily use. When your pool becomes the most popular place for friends and family to hang out, you can expect the water levels to lower. Heavy swim use will diminish the water as swimmers get in and out of the pool.
  3. Leaks. If the level of your pool is going down quicker than can be explained from heat or daily use, you may have a leak. It can be difficult to find a pool leak on your own. It can be in your plumbing, in the shell, around drains or in many other locations throughout your pool system. Hire a pool service that offers professional leak detection and repair to quickly find the source of the leak and get it fixed before it causes damage to your property.

You should always keep a close eye on the water level of your pool. If you notice it is dropping quickly, consider calling a pool service right away for an inspection. Your local pool professional can determine where the problem lies and offer you a solution to protect your pool and property.

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

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

Does Your Pool Have A Leak?

A small leak in your pool can quickly become a big problem. Not only does it waste water, it can lead to expensive damage to your home and property. Identifying a pool leak as soon as possible is your best defense when it comes to avoiding bigger and more expensive problems than just repairing your pool.

Dealing With A Pool Leak

A big pool leak is easy to detect, but a big leak usually starts small, making it harder to notice. Most leaks are in the pools shell, usually around drains, skimmers or fittings. They can also occur in the plumbing pipes or in the pool floor, which can be more difficult to find and fix. Regardless of where the leak is, the first step to fixing the problem is realizing your pool has a leak. Common signs of a pool leak include:

  • Loss of water. Although some water loss is normal due to splash and evaporation, if you notice larger losses you may have a leak.
  • Wet ground. If you have a leak in your pool plumbing, you may find wet areas in the ground around your pool.

Finding the leak can be more difficult. Unless you can see a crack or hole in your pool shell, it can be hard to pinpoint the exact source of the leak on your own. The best way to find where the leak is and get it fixed is to hire an experienced leak detection pool service. With new technology, many pool services can detect the leak using computerized equipment in a matter of minutes. After the leak is detected, they can work quickly to locate the exact leak area and offer solutions to get it fixed fast.

Posted on behalf of Somar Pools, LLC