Your swimming pool is your slice of Central Florida paradise, but it also comes with responsibilities. One of the most important aspects of pool maintenance is ensuring it’s free from leaks. While this is critical, too many pool owners may notice a telltale sign that something’s amiss, but choose to ignore it because they’re afraid it could indicate a problem that will be expensive to repair. Wishful thinking may also kick in. Maybe it’s just my imagination. Maybe it won’t get worse.
Unfortunately, a pool leak is all too real, and can’t be wished away. The consequences of ignoring a leak can be significant – ranging from wasted water to the extensive, costly repairs and structural damage you’d initially feared. Ironically, detecting and repairing a leak in its early stage typically costs much less than dealing with it later.
Why Signs of a Pool Leak Can be Easy to Miss
Pool leaks aren’t always obvious – especially during winter months, when swim season is over. The exception is visits from family and friends “up north” who consider our comparatively mild winter temperatures ideal for a dip!
Hi-Tech Pools & Spas and Contemporary pool Works provide the following initial signs to watch for:
- Unexplained water loss: If your pool’s water level drops faster than normal evaporation rates.
- Wet patches near the pool that don’t dry up: These can indicate underground leaks.
- Higher-than-usual water bills: Consistent refilling may signal a hidden issue.
- Cracks or sinking areas around the pool deck: Structural shifts can result from soil erosion caused by leaks.
- Air or dirt blown into the pool: If a leak is allowing air or dirt to enter the plumbing system, you might notice air bubbles or dirt being blown into the pool from the returns. This could also cause gurgling sounds, signaling a problem that needs immediate attention.
- Creeping chemical imbalance: When a pool leaks, the treated water escapes, carrying away the chemicals used to maintain proper water balance. This loss of chemicals can lead to a fluctuating or unbalanced chemical state, making it difficult to maintain the desired levels.
The Consequences of an Undetected Pool Leak
A pool leak that goes undetected or unrepaired will eventually undermine your pool – and possibly even your home’s foundation. Here are six primary destructive or negative effects.
Damage to the pool pump and motor
An undetected leak in the pool pump and motor can cause the following damage:
- Motor failure: Leaking water – especially from a failed shaft seal – can seep into the motor, damaging internal components and potentially leading to the motor burning out. Shaft seal leaks can damage the pump and potentially necessitate replacement of the pump or motor components. Our blog post – “Does Your Pool Pump Have a Leak?” – covers this topic in detail.
- Overheating: If water leaks and the pump draws in air, it can lose prime, causing the pump to run dry, overheat, and potentially damage the pump housing, impeller, and pipes.
- Corrosion and deterioration: Water leaking onto the pump and surrounding equipment can cause rust, corrosion and deterioration of parts, shortening the lifespan of your pool equipment in general.
Plumbing damage
Leaks in a pool’s plumbing system are especially insidious. Left undetected, the following types of damage can occur:
- Pool surface damage: Constant water loss can damage the pool’s interior, leading to cracks, leaks and a potential need for resurfacing.
- Structural issues: Water seeping into the ground can cause shifting soil and foundation problems, potentially leading to cracks in the pool shell, uneven surfaces and even structural collapse.
- Equipment damage: Leaks can cause the pump to overheat if the water level drops too low, and other equipment may also be affected.
- Soil erosion: Water seeping into the ground can erode the soil around the pool, potentially leading to shifting landscaping, sinkholes and even structural damage to nearby buildings.
- Foundation settlement: If water accumulates under the foundation, it can cause the foundation to shift and settle unevenly, leading to cracks in the pool, house, and other structures. According to Allied Foundation, if a plumbing leak is left unaddressed and water continues to accumulate near one side of your home, your foundation may start to shift and settle unevenly – which could impact the structural stability and integrity of your entire home.
- Sinkholes: In some cases, persistent leaks can contribute to the formation of sinkholes, which are sudden collapses of the ground surface.
Structural damage to the pool
Leaks can damage the pool itself in many ways. For example, a leak can saturate the soil, causing it to expand and contract, which puts pressure on the pool walls and can lead to cracks and further leaks.
Here are additional types of structural damage that a leak can cause:
- Erosion and soil instability: Leaks – especially those in plumbing or the pool shell – can wash away soil from beneath and around the pool. This creates voids and instability in the soil, which can lead to the pool shifting, cracking, or even collapsing.
- Foundation issues: The shifting soil can compromise the pool’s foundation, leading to cracks in the pool shell (concrete or fiberglass) and around fixtures like lights, skimmers and returns.
- Compromised pool shell: Water penetrating the pool’s shell – whether through cracks or faulty seals – can weaken the structural integrity of the pool. Erosion can further exacerbate this damage.
- Ground movement and soil saturation: Expanding and contracting soil due to leaks can exert pressure on the pool walls, causing them to crack or shift. This movement can also damage other pool components like plumbing and liners.
Chemical imbalance
As mentioned earlier, a pool leak can significantly disrupt the chemical balance of your pool water, leading to a variety of issues. The leak can cause the loss of treated water, requiring more chemicals to maintain proper levels, and can also introduce contaminants that throw off the balance. This imbalance can result in cloudy water, algae growth and even structural damage to the pool.
Here’s a more detailed explanation:
- Loss of treated water and imbalance: Leaks cause treated water to escape the pool, which means the pool’s chemical levels are constantly diluted and disrupted. This requires the addition of more chemicals to compensate for the loss, but it can be difficult to maintain a stable chemical balance, as the leaks may fluctuate. These fluctuating levels can affect pH, chlorine and other important chemical balances, making it difficult to keep the water sanitized and safe for swimming.
- Introduction of contaminants: Leaks – especially those in the pool’s structure – can allow soil, debris and other contaminants to enter the pool. These contaminants can alter the water’s chemistry, leading to cloudy water and algae growth. Moreover, the influx of contaminants can clog the pool’s filter system, further impacting water quality.
Increased water bills
As with any water leak in any location, higher water bills are a consequence. This often is the first indication that a homeowner has that a leak is occurring somewhere on the property. A pool leak can significantly increase your water bill because it leads to continuous water loss, requiring frequent refills to maintain the pool’s water level. Even a small leak, like 1/8 inch, can waste hundreds or even thousands of gallons of water per day. This increased water consumption directly translates to a higher water bill.
Negative impact on the environment
In Florida, a pool leak can cause significant environmental damage by wasting water, contaminating soil and groundwater with chemicals and potentially contributing to sinkhole formation. The continuous flow of water – even from a minor leak – can lead to erosion, structural damage and the release of pool chemicals into the surrounding environment. Additionally, leaks can contribute to water scarcity and increase energy consumption due to the need for constant refilling and pump operation.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
- Water waste: Even small leaks can waste a substantial amount of water, especially in Florida, where water conservation is crucial. A minor pool leak can waste thousands of gallons of water per year. This water waste strains local water resources and can lead to increased utility costs.
- Chemical contamination: Pools contain chemicals like chlorine, bromine and other algaecides that can be harmful to the environment. Leaked pool water can carry these chemicals into the surrounding soil and groundwater. This contamination can harm aquatic life, plants, and potentially impact drinking water sources. Florida regulations limit the discharge of chlorine into surface waters, highlighting the importance of preventing pool leaks, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
- Soil erosion and sinkhole formation: Continuous leaks can saturate the soil around the pool, leading to erosion. The eroded soil can create voids beneath the pool, potentially weakening the foundation and contributing to sinkhole formation. Florida’s unique geology, with its porous limestone, makes it particularly susceptible to sinkholes, and pool leaks can exacerbate this risk.
The Take-Home Message
As you’ve hopefully learned, a leak in any location in your pool needs to be detected and repaired as soon as possible. Ignoring the problem will only make it worse over time, causing additional types of damage that can spread far from the original source.
However, a leak isn’t always obvious – which is why you need to not only make sure your pool is maintained on a regular basis, but inspected for leaks from time to time.
Certified Leak Detection uses technology and techniques we have developed over 20 years in business. In addition to quick detection of pool leaks, we provide industry-leading leak detection for spas and hot tubs, as well as slabs and foundations. Serving areas throughout Central Florida – including Orlando, Longwood, Lake Mary, Sanford, Kissimmee, Clermont and Winter Springs – our team is ready to answer your call. Contact us for quick, reliable service!