Pool and spa leak detection

It’s hard to keep water in a pool. Every swimming pool, spa, or landscape pond is probably going to leak at some point in its useful life. These pesky problems can be more than just an inconvenience. An un-repaired hole the size of a pencil tip can result in hundreds of gallons of water lost per day. In addition to the replacement cost of the water, leaks in your pool will increase chemical demands, and may lead to more serious structural and mechanical problems. Fortunately, we provide full structural dives year round.

By far the most common indication of a leak is that the water level is dropping faster than what is normally attributable to evaporation or splash-out. Often leaks are big enough that excess water loss is obvious. If you wake-up to find that your pool has dropped several inches overnight you know you’ve got a problem. The bigger challenges are the smaller, yet just as serious, leaks that may develop slowly. In these cases it is important to determine what is “normal water loss” and thus avoid wasting time looking for and worrying about a leak that really isn’t there. A simple way to account for evaporation and confirm a leak is to do a Bucket Test, If you have an automatic fill device on your pool a dropping water level may not be evident; high water bills may be the first indication of a leak problem. You may also notice an increase in the chemicals required to maintain proper balance, or that there is excess algae growth because the new water that’s being put into the pool is untreated.

Other pool leak symptoms may be actual evidence of the water that has escaped from your pool. Wet, mushy, or unusually “healthy” spots in the lawn may be evidence of underground plumbing leaks. Structural damage, cracks, and settling to the deck or pool may also be indications of underground leaks. If left un-repaired, these problems can quickly become more serious.

Pool and Spa Repairs

In addition to structural leaks, skimmers, main drains, and return lines are top culprits of swimming pool and spa leaks. We not only find those leaks, but we can also repair them, many times without draining the pool or spa. Once the source of the leak is found, we provide an estimate to repair the leak, and, many times, can make the repair during our initial visit. However, there are times when larger repairs can take up to a day or more to complete. We take our repair services seriously, and make every effort to ensure you are satisfied with the workmanship of the repair.

Structural repairs

Concrete/gunite, vinyl, and fiberglass are the three main types of in-ground swimming pool materials. Each is vulnerable to different forms of leaks and requires various methods to repair.

Gunite swimming pool repair

Gunite is a mixture of cement, sand, and water that can be molded into any shape desired. As the most versatile construction material for pools, gunite is sprayed or blown onto a rebar framework to form and give strength to the structure.

Gunite is porous and should not be used by itself to construct a pool. There must be a water barrier between the porous gunite and the pool water.

Plaster is then applied to not only ensure a smooth touch on the pool surface, but also to create a water barrier between the pool water and the gunite. If the plaster is not thick enough, it could allow water to seep through the gunite. This will result in water loss that is difficult to isolate without draining the pool. There are methods to repair a pool that is not properly sealed with enough plaster.

Seasonal changes such as freezing and thawing will cause plaster to eventually crack. Winterizing your pool properly will help to keep your pool’s gunite/plaster structure intact.

Vinyl liner swimming pool repair

Vinyl liners can leak through the natural deterioration process and environmental exposure. If the vinyl liner has a small puncture, we can locate it and patch it very easily. If the leak has gone on for a long time, you may be in danger of causing greater damage to the liner. A leak or tear in the liner allows water to collect behind the liner causing it to stretch and be pulled from its top edge.

If you suspect a leak in your vinyl liner pool, don’t ignore it, it could save you a lot of grief if you act quickly.

Fiberglass swimming pool repair

Fiberglass pools are prefabricated shells that are nearly indestructible. However, they can still be susceptible to leaks. When a fiberglass pool has a leak, it is important to maintain the water level as the pool shell may "float" out of the ground if the water level in the pool is lower than the water level in the ground around the pool. In addition, if the water level is too low, the sides of the pool could bulge inward from the pressure of the surrounding soil. A floating fiberglass pool could crack the deck as well as cause massive damage to the pool’s plumbing.

Above-ground swimming pool repair

Many above-ground pools will experience leaks in the liner of the pool due to the nature of the exposed structure. If you are up to the task, some above-ground pool owners are able to find and patch leaks by diving the pool and visually inspecting the lining. It takes patience and diligence to complete, however it is the least expensive way to repair your leaking above-ground pool. There are several products available at your local pool supply store that will help you locate and patch a leaking above ground pool.

If you are not able to find the leak, American Leak Detection can detect and repair the leak for you. Our experienced professionals routinely find and repair leaks in the pool’s plumbing system.

Swimming pool plumbing repairs

Leaks found in the pool’s plumbing lines and are most often due to corrosion or ground movement. Our experienced professionals routinely find and repair leaks in the pool’s plumbing system.

Return lines

The pool’s return lines return water from the pump and filter back to the pool. Leaks in the return line, at times, require penetrating the pool deck to gain access to the leak location.

Suction lines

The pool’s suction lines remove water from the pool or spa to recirculate the water through the filter, then back through the return lines to the pool or spa. The suction lines begin at the skimmer and the main drain.

If a leak is found in the suction line, the ground around the pool, equipment, or deck may need to be penetrated to access the line that requires repair.

Main drain

The main drains are usually located on the lowest point in the pool, so the entire pool surface slants toward them. Most of the dirt and debris that sinks to the bottom of the pool exits the pool through these drains. Like all leaks, leaking main drains need to be repaired as soon as possible. The pressure of the water at the bottom of the pool could lead to massive water loss if the main drain has failed. Water could drop as much as three feet per day.

Most often, we can repair the main drain depending on the nature of the leak. Draining the pool could cause additional costly problems to occur if a high water table is present. In many cases, we can repair the leak without draining the pool. We have the equipment and expertise to properly repair your main drain without draining your pool or your wallet.

Pump & filter

Pool pumps usually last for about 8 years before needing to be replaced or rebuilt. In most cases, you should be able to repair pump leaks yourself. For example, leaks that appear in the threading of the connections, are simple fixes you, as a homeowner, can make.

If you need a new pump, contact your local pool supply store to find an installer. If you come across a mystery leak in your pump, or you prefer a professional’s expertise, contact American Leak Detection.

Crack injection

For cracks in gunite and plaster pools, high pressure pump is used to inject flexible polymer adhesive into the offending crack to seal and adhere the crack together providing a flexible water proof bond.

Skimmer replacement

Skimmers usually crack when they become brittle with age or connections may simply fail. A failed skimmer connection could cause the pump to suck air and lose prime. Leaking skimmers can be repaired, but sometimes they need to be completely replaced to eliminate the source of the leak. Once we identify a leak in the skimmer, we will provide an estimate for either its repair or replacement.

Deck repair

If the leak in your pool has caused damage to your deck, we find the leak first, and then provide an estimate on the repairs for the leak and the deck. The deck can shift and crack if the ground below has been washed away by a persistent leak. The best solution in this circumstance is to call in your pool builder to evaluate the situation after the leak has been isolated and repaired.

There are times the deck needs to be cut to make repairs on the pool’s plumbing, skimmer, or autofill. We will repair the deck, and we always clean up after the work has been performed.

Accessories

Pool accessories may also be the cause of leaks and need repair.

Lights

Underwater lighting may leak due to a bad fitting, deteriorated conduit, or failed seal in the light bucket. Part of testing the pool for leaks includes checking the lighting components to make sure they are water tight.

Water features

Some pools have water features included in the design. Occasionally, these leaks are difficult to locate due to the complex structure of the materials used to construct the water feature. Our high-tech equipment and experienced specialists can isolate the leak to a particular water feature.

Water slides

Water slides are great fun, but occasionally they leak. Slides are usually fed by a hose that is connected to the pool’s plumbing to provide the slip to the slide. The hose connection, or the underground plumbing that leads to the slide, may have a leak that requires isolation and testing.

Other Services provided include:

Under deck plumbing repairs. We will expose the leak through the deck, repair the leak , repressurize the line to check for additional leaks, then backfill and rebuild the deck matching most deck toppings.

In ground repairs. We will expose the leak, repressurize the line to check for additional leaks, backfill the exposed lines.

Equipment Repair Services- We offer expert repair of all types and brands of pool and spa equipment.

Including:

Pumps, Motors, Filters, Heaters, Timers, Automatic Controllers, Salt Chlorinators, Lights, Plumbing, Automatic Pool Cleaners, & more.

Filter Cleaning- keeping your filter clean keeps your pool clean, and it also extends the life of the pump, the other pool equipment, and the life of the filter too, giving you more enjoyable moments of crystal blue swimming pool water for you and your family.

Pool remodels- When your existing swimming pool needs more than basic service or repair, you need seasoned design, pool construction & technology experts to give it a total makeover. Let Lonehunter pools landscaping ideas deliver more than you ever imagined possible with a complete modernization and style update.

Creative pool design coupled with state-of-the-art updates will not only provide a more modern, more attractive poolscape, but will also save time & money, enhance comfort & safety, and ensure a backyard resort that’s easier to own.

You can add a spa or impressive, color-changing lighting, resurface your interior with a lasting color quartz finish,

bring in automation with easy digital controls, or enjoy the ultimate in gentle, fuss-free purification. And no matter the scope of your remodeling project, you can count on Lonehunter Pool’s and Spa’s value & quality.

Building a pool with renovations & modernizations can include: