A Guide on Find a Leak in a Gunite Pool

Gunite Pool are an excellent investment in your home. However, it can become a nightmare when your water levels drop faster than usual. When this occurs, you could have a leaking pool. Pools’ structural design comes in three forms: vinyl liners, fibreglass, and gunite. Gunite pools are the most durable and can last up to 30 years with proper maintenance. This blog post will highlight finding a leak in a gunite pool.

How to find a leak in a gunite pool

Know Your Pool’s Water Loss Rate

Before inspecting your Gunite Pool, you must establish a baseline for water loss rates. Normal water loss rates range from 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch daily. A gunite pool normally loses water through evaporation; however, water loss rates that exceed these figures could indicate a leak. The key to identifying leaks is to catch them early; this reduces the need for massive excavation and repairs.

Visual Inspection

The first step in finding a Gunite Pool leak is a visual assessment. Conducting a thorough visual inspection of your pool’s surfaces, pool equipment, and surrounding areas will provide insight into the potential location of a leak.

Check the pool shell, as the pool’s shell could have shifted, creating gaps from equipment that pass through the pool shell. This could cause water to escape consistently. Ensure every aspect of the surface is thoroughly cleaned to highlight any discolouration or severe damage on the surface that could cause excessive water loss.

Pressure Test

Pressure testing is an efficient way to identify a pool leak. This test is effective in areas the naked eye cannot visibly inspect, such as the pool’s plumbing system. You will need a commercial-size air compressor and an inflatable duct ball.

Plug all the visible pool plumbing openings and add air to inflate the ball. Once fully inflated, monitor the duct ball for a drop in air pressure. A leaking pool will cause the pressure to drop in the inflatable ball.

Dye Testing

Dye testing is an excellent method to isolate a leak’s location in a gunite pool. Buy or rent a dye-testing kit from a pool supply store. Fill the syringe with the dye, inject it into the suspected leak spot, and monitor movement. As the dye moves towards the source of the leak, it will highlight the location.

Perform a bucket test

This test helps determine if the water loss is due to evaporation or a leak. Fill a bucket with water to the same level as the pool and place it on the first or second step of the pool. Mark the water level on both the inside and outside of the bucket. Leave it for 24 hours while keeping the pool’s water level consistent. After 24 hours, compare the water loss in the pool to the water loss in the bucket. If the pool loses more water than the bucket, a leak may occur.

Use a pool leak detection kit

There are specialized pool leak detection kits available that can help pinpoint the source of the leak. These kits typically include dye, plugs, and other tools. Follow the instructions provided with the kit to conduct the leak detection process accurately.

Consult a professional

If you’ve followed the above steps and cannot locate the leak or suspect a more severe issue, it’s advisable to consult a professional pool leak detection specialist. They have specialized equipment, such as pressure testing devices and electronic leak detection tools, that can help identify leaks even in hard-to-reach areas.

Remember that if you’re not confident or experienced in pool maintenance and repair, it’s always best to seek professional assistance. They can provide expert guidance and help resolve the issue effectively.

Conclusion:

Finding a leak in a gunite pool may seem daunting, but it can be done efficiently with proper guidance. There is no need for panic when water is lost in your pool. The key to finding a leak is early detection, achieved by knowing your water loss rates, and conducting visual inspections, pressure tests, and dye testing. We hope this post has provided valuable insight into how to find a leak in a gunite pool. A leaking pool can be an expensive nightmare if not detected early, so be vigilant and conduct routine inspections.