7 signs of a slab leak (and what to do next)
Most homes in Coral Gables sit on concrete slabs. Here’s how to tell if a pipe under yours is leaking.
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Every outdoor pool loses some water to evaporation. In South Florida’s heat it’s common to lose around a quarter inch a day, and more on hot, dry or windy days, or if you run a heater, waterfall or fountain. So how do you know when it’s a leak?
Signs it’s more than evaporation
- You’re losing noticeably more than a quarter inch a day
- The level drops the same amount even on cool or cloudy days
- Wet or soft ground near the pool or equipment pad
- Cracks in the shell, tile line or deck
- Air bubbles in the returns or the pump losing prime
- Your water bill went up because you keep topping off
The bucket test
This simple test compares your pool’s water loss with normal evaporation under the same conditions.
- 1
Fill a bucket with pool water
Fill it to about an inch from the top and set it on the first or second pool step, so it’s at the same temperature.
- 2
Mark both levels
Mark the water level inside the bucket, and the pool’s level on the outside of the bucket. Turn off any auto-fill.
- 3
Wait 24 hours
Run the pump as you normally would.
- 4
Compare
If the pool dropped more than the water in the bucket, you likely have a leak.
Run it twice
Repeat the test with the pump off. If the pool loses more with the pump running, the leak is likely in the plumbing. If the loss is the same either way, the shell, lights or fittings are more likely.
Where pools usually leak
Light niches
The conduit and seal around underwater lights are common leak points.
Skimmers
The joint between the skimmer and the pool shell can crack and separate.
Return and drain fittings
Seals around fittings wear out over time.
Underground plumbing
Lines between the pool and the equipment can crack, especially near trees.
What a pool leak specialist does
Professional pool leak detection uses dye testing around fittings, pressure testing of each plumbing line and listening equipment to find leaks without draining the pool. Learn more about pool leak detection in Coral Gables.
Common questions
How much water loss is normal for a pool in Florida?
Around a quarter inch a day is common in warm weather, more on hot, windy days. Consistently more than that suggests a leak.
Do I have to drain my pool to find a leak?
Usually not. Dye and pressure tests are done with the pool full.
