Finding a leak in an above-ground pool is, unfortunately, a hard nut to crack. But if you’re done with this once in a while, you will easily repair it.
If the leak is not large enough, you will have to work hard. So, get ready for it. Whatever we will instruct you to do the job in a simpler way. So, keep being with us!
After reading this, you will not be in the dark of how to find a leak in an above-ground pool, okay?
Let’s dive in!
Check your pool’s equipment
The easiest way is to check the pool equipment firstly. The hardest place to find a leak in an above-ground pool is somewhere in the vinyl liner.
Now, have a look over the following instructions:
1. Clean the equipment area
Clean the pump area first, it sometimes gets cluttered or overgrown. Clean the debris, pull out the weeds, keep the outdoor items away from the equipment.
2. Turn the pump on
When the pump is on, some leaks will be leaked more. So, why will you turn on the pump? Because it’s easier to see a bigger leak. Makes sense?
3. Insect the wet areas
Inspect the general area of wetness just as a sign of leaks. Where there is a leak, the water gets out and makes the area wet.
4. Have a close look at everything
Look closely, I mean it, get down on your hands and knees and look at the hoses, fittings, and at all the components. Pay more attention to the underneath of the pool pump.
Your pool pump has shaft seals that can leak down into the ground. But you may not see there any visible ground moisture.
To check out, take a dry towel and wipe the area dry. Now, wait for some time and see whether there are any new signs of wetness appear or not.
5. Inspect the skimmer carefully
Two common spots for leaks are the skimmer box and return. Gravity lets the water travel downward. For this, look UNDER the skimmer box as that’s where the leaking water travels.
If you can’t be sure, again use the towel theory here. Take your time, no need to be too hurry. Some leaks will play hide and seek with you which really requires patience to find.
If you can make sure you checked out all the spots and have come up dry, there is no leak.
Find a leak somewhere in the vinyl liner
It’s a test for you of how many patients you actually are. Literally, you will feel too much disturbed during this job, everyone feels. Here is a to-do-list for you to make it easier:
1. Turn off the pump
Firstly, turn the pump off and wait for the water to get completely still. You have to see the bottom of the pool clearly even if you are standing out of the pool.
2. Inspect the pool’s bottom carefully
While you are standing outside of the pool, you have to inspect the pool’s bottom all the way around. Maximum above ground pool’s bottom and coving are sand or earth-based.
If there is a leak in the vinyl, the water generally leaks out in the ground somewhere under the pool. In maximum cases, the leaked water travels through the earth’s bottom and washes the earth away.
Some of these washed away areas are visible and will let you know where the leak is in the liner. If you see something like that, jump to step 4.
3. Check for a leak at the outside of the pool
If you didn’t find anything during the earlier steps, now go and check the outside bottom of the pool. What if it’s covered?
In this case, you need to dig around the wall at the bottom as well as expose the bottom track. Remove any kind of dirt and debris.
It will allow you to inspect easily whether there is excessive wetness or not, it is a sign of leaks in your pool.
4. Get into the pool
It’s time to get in the pool, but clean and vacuum your pool first. Since you are looking for a small hole in the system, so dirt and debris will make it tougher to find it.
You may know better how it feels to swim in a murky, cloudy pool. When you are getting in, take a good dive mask and goggles. Have an applicator that’s filled with dye or food coloring.
A precaution to remember is, before getting in, make sure your pool pump is off.
In addition, if you are struggling to fight a cloudy pool, you may visit how to clear cloudy pool water.
5. Inspect all the area
The leak can be anywhere in the liner but in maximum cases, the hole remains at the bottom close to your pool’s wall. Take a deep breath, dive into the bottom and get up closer to the liner.
Now, inspect very carefully for a hole. If you see something that looks like a leak, shoot the dye you have around the area. Now, if the dyed water draws into the hole, you have found a leak!
So, you are done! That’s really painful to do the stuff but after finding the leak, the next steps are easy for you.
Conclusion
You have done one of the most difficult DIYs. This is boring enough to find leaks in your above-ground pool. Now, in the end, you are not confused about how to find a leak in an above-ground pool, right? We tried to provide you a crystal clear idea and hope that we won!
Be careful enough about the maintenance of your above-ground pool. Don’t let them be attacked by algae or debris and keep eyes on the leakings.
It’s important to keep the pool clean and replace the devices when needed. You will have a nice, crystal clear swimming pool for sure!