A pool can really elevate your backyard. In addition, during the summertime, it can be quite refreshing to take a dip. However, pools require regular maintenance. You might get a leak which could cost you. So, that begs the question, where does water go when pool leaks?
Water from a pool leak can seep into the grass and soil underneath it. Pool leaks can be dangerous since they make the soil mushy and soft. Moreover, it can also cause sinkholes!
Pool leaks are very expensive to fix. So, it is better to prevent them from happening. The moment you see any sign of a pool leak, it is important that you get it fixed.
Where Does Water Go When Pool Leaks?
Pool leaks can cause havoc in their surrounding areas. When your pool leaks, the water seeps into the soil. It will dampen the grass around it too. Moreover, the soil could sink in. And we are sure you do not need us telling you that is bad.
In-ground pools have a subsoil layer underneath. In that case, if your pool leaks, this layer can hold a bit of water.
The subsoil layer is typically made with gravel or similar materials. Therefore, little water will not cause it to settle. However, the areas around it will become saturated with water.
If your pool leaks due to equipment or faulty equipment misuse, the leaked water can cause drips or sprays. Water can accumulate near fixtures and stain concrete pads. So, you need to immediately fix any pool leaks.
What Is Settling and Why Should You Care?
Settling can occur when your pool leaks. It makes the ground or soil prone to collapse. Settling happens when the small pockets of air in the soil becomes compacted with water running through it.
If you have settling, the soil will seem very uneven. Not only does it look unappealing, but it can also be dangerous. As we mentioned, the whole thing can collapse. Moreover, settling will damage your pool’s foundation, underground plumbing and the landscaping.
You do want settling to happen if you have a pool. This is another reason why you should always try to find pool leaks and get them fixed as soon as possible.
Common Causes of Pool Leaks
Pool leaks can happen because of structural damage, poor fittings and other reasons. Here are some common reasons why your pool might be leaking:
Poor Construction
The most common cause of a leak is because of poor construction and structural rigidity. If the pool was made using poor-quality materials and fittings, it would be much more prone to leaks in general.
You will first start to see very thin hairline cracks. These cracks will worsen over time and cause leaks. The problem is you will not notice your pool is losing water initially.
These small cracks are cosmetic at first. But as time goes by, you will start to see more problems. Moreover, leaks can happen due to poor-quality fittings as well.
Busted Pipes
Pools use very complex plumbing systems. Which means that there can be many places where it can possibly fail and cause a leak. Therefore, leaks caused by broken pipes can be hard to find.
A common place where leaks can happen is return pipes. The pool and return pipes do not settle in the ground simultaneously. And that is when you might get a leak.
Temperature Changes
Frequent temperature changes damage your pool due to the freeze-thaw cycle. As a result, you can get cracks in your pool. However, these problems might be difficult to notice until you start your pool back up in warm weather.
Broken or Loose Fittings
The area around the fittings is a sort of weak spot. This is where the connection is made. So, pool leaks can happen if a fitting is broken or comes loose. Fortunately, this kind of damage is easy to fix.
Loose Skimmer Assembly
Your pool’s skimmer assembly keeps debris out of the filters. If the skimmer assembly gets loose, it can cause pool leaks. Therefore, the skimmer assembly needs to work properly. If there is a leak, you will notice that the water level never really rises above the skimmer.
Ground Shifting
When the ground underneath your pool is settling in, it will shift slightly. Or if there is an earthquake, it can also cause the ground to shift. And shifting ground is another cause of pool leaks.
Unfortunately, there is nothing you can really do about an earthquake, is there? So, it is best to build the pool properly with high-quality fittings and proper construction in the first place. It will minimize the risk of leaks.
How to Know Whether Your Pool is Leaking or Not?
A leak in your pool needs to be fixed as soon as possible. Fortunately, you do not need to be in constant anxiety. There are some pretty clear signs you can look out for to check for potential leaks. Here are 3 telltale signs of a pool leak:
1. Your Pool Does Not Hold Water
Pools losing water is the biggest sign of a leak. Where is the water going if there is no leak, right? If you notice that your pool loses water overnight, start looking for a leak.
Replacing water constantly is expensive. In addition, it is not good for the surrounding areas either since the water will saturate the soil underneath.
2. Wet and Mushy Areas Around Your Pool
You may have a leak if the surrounding areas around your pool feel soft or mushy. The water leaking from the pool is saturating the soil underneath. There is a high chance of settling if this happens.
3. Needing More Chemicals Than Usual
If you have a pool leak, you will need to use more chemicals to keep your pool’s chemistry in check. The treated water is leaking away, so you need to keep using more chemicals to keep your pool’s pH balanced.
Usual Areas Where Pool Leaks Might Occur
Most pool leaks occur in a few places. Knowing these places will help you prepare for any potential leaks. Moreover, if you suspect there is a leak, you will also be able to find the leaks much quicker.
- Return Pipes
- Skimmer
- Lights and Jets
- Main drain
- Pool pump
- Filters
- Pool liners
- Underground plumbing
Dangers of Pool Leaks: Some Are Very Serious
A pool leak can cause harm to not only you but also your neighbor. Ignoring leaks could lead to thousands of dollars spent on repairs. Here are some pretty good reasons why you should always treat a pool leak immediately:
Pool Leaks Costly to Fix
A leaky pool will cost you money. You will constantly need to replace the water. Therefore, your water bills will be high, firstly. Moreover, since leaks lead to unbalanced pH levels, you need to keep adding chemicals to keep your pool water hygienic.
Average pool leak repair can cost between $600 – $1400, depending on the severity. But the cost can be even higher if the foundation or soil is damaged.
Leaks Can Cause Sinkholes
If you leave a leak untreated, it can lead to sinkholes! This fact is a bit of an eyebrow-raiser, isn’t it? Leaks damage your pool’s foundation. They become soft and lose their rigidity.
Moreover, all that excess water starts to erode the soils, which can lead to sinkholes. And once you get a sinkhole, fixing it is another expensive nightmare.
Pool Leaks Can Damage Your Neighbor’s Yard
A pool leak on your property can cause massive damage to your neighbor’s yard if you do not get it fixed promptly.
And if your neighbor’s yard becomes soft and mushy and a sinkhole appears, it is going to be super awkward for both of you. In addition, you will be legally liable for those damages as well.
FAQs
Can a Pool Lose Water Without a Leak?
Yes, pools can lose water without any leaks. Many pools will lose about 60 to 120 gallons of water a day if there is a drought through normal evaporation. So, losing water due to evaporation is pretty normal. Therefore, it is better to cover your pool when you are not using it.
However, if you have a leak, you will lose much more water than usual. That is when you need to start suspecting something is wrong.
You might have a leak if your pool loses more than 1/4 inch of water daily during humid weather. Or if it loses about ½ inch of water during dry weather, there is possibly a leak somewhere.
Will You Be Legally Liable for a Pool Leak?
If your pool leaking caused damage to someone else’s property, you will be liable for the damage. If you have homeowner’s insurance, pool leaks might be covered.
However, it is always a good idea to read the fine print. Keep in mind that you are responsible for proper pool maintenance, though. Also, not all insurances cover all kinds of damages.
Wrapping Up
Know that you know where does water go when pool leaks; hopefully, you will be more aware and prepared if you have a leak. It can be very dangerous, and the damages are costly to fix. Moreover, you will be legally liable if your pool leaks harm your neighbor’s property.
