How Do You Seal a Pool Leak?

If you’ve got a pool, sooner or later, you will have to deal with a pool leak.

It happens sometimes, and there’s no way to avoid it.

But don’t worry – sealing a pool leak is pretty straightforward, as long as you know what you’re doing.

After finding the source of the pool leak, carefully apply an underwater sealant to the leak site. You can use pool putty, caulking, and underwater epoxy on pool cracks, the skimmer, and plumbing. Allow the sealant to cure and harden for a secure repair.

Use a peel-and-patch kit or a vinyl patch kit for pool liner leaks. 

In this blog post, we’ll walk you through how to seal a pool leak, especially using the bucket test method. 

Does Pool Leak Sealer Work?

The short answer is: yes, a pool leak sealer does work. But it’s important to understand that there are different types of pool leaks, and not all pool leak sealers are created equal.

There are two main types of pool leaks: surface leaks and underground leaks.

Surface leaks are usually pretty easy to spot – you’ll see water pooling on the surface of your pool deck or patio, for example.

Underground leaks can be a little trickier to detect, but the bucket test is a great way to do it.

Confirm an underground leak with the bucket test

You can do the bucket test by yourself by following these steps:

1. Fill a five-gallon bucket with water and place it on your pool’s first or second step.
2. Make sure the bucket is level with the pool water’s surface.
3. Mark the water level in the bucket with a piece of tape or a permanent marker.
4. Check back after 24 hours to see if the water level in the bucket has changed.
5. If the water level in the pool is much lower than in the bucket, you have a pool leak!

Now that you know how to confirm that you have a pool leak, it’s time to find the source of the leak.

Find the Source of the Pool Leak

In finding the source of the pool leak, here are some steps to take:

Visually Inspect the Pool

The first step in finding the source of your pool leak is to inspect the pool itself for any cracks or damage.

Start by looking at the tile around the pool and feeling for any wet spots.

If you find any, that’s a good indication that there’s a crack somewhere that needs to be sealed.

Check the Pool Liner

You can also check the pool liner for any holes or tears.

Once you’ve inspected the pool, it’s time to look at the pool equipment.

Inspect the Pool Plumbing

Check all hoses and fittings for leaks, and ensure that the pump functions correctly.

If everything looks good with the pool equipment, it’s time to check the pool structure.

Inspect the Skimmer

The skimmer is the most common location of pool leaks.

You’ll usually find cracks between the plastic skimmer and the gunite. This area is prone to breakage due to soil shifting and cold joints.

Leaks in the pipe seals of skimmer threads are also common.

Inspect the Pool Structure

The pool structure is the final place to look for leaks.

Check the pool deck, coping, and other concrete surfaces for any cracks or damage.

If you find any, you’ll need to repair them before you can seal the pool leak.

Once you’ve found the source of the pool leak, it’s time to start fixing it!

Please include attribution to https://sarasotapoolleakdetection.com with this graphic.

How to Fix Common Pool Leaks

Now that you’ve found the source of the pool leak, it’s time to repair it.

In this section, we’ll walk you through some of the most common pool leaks and how to fix them.

Skimmer Leaks

1. If the leak is coming from the skimmer, you’ll need to remove the pool decking around the skimmer and then cut out the old sealant. Make sure that the pool pump is turned off.
2. Next, apply a generous amount of underwater pool putty by cleaning the area around the skimmer, then kneading it before applying it to the area with your finger. Wait for the putty to harden (it takes about 30 minutes).
3. Finally, replace the pool decking and screw it into place.

Pipe Seals Leaks

1. If the leak comes from a pipe seal, you’ll need to turn off the pool pump and remove the pool decking around the pipe.
2. Next, unscrew the pipe and apply a generous amount of silicone sealant around the male thread.
3. Finally, screw the pipe back into place and replace the pool decking.

Cracks in Concrete Surfaces

1. If the leak is coming from a crack in a concrete surface, you’ll need to clean out the crack with a wire brush and then vacuum it out with a shop vac.
2. Once the crack is clean, apply a generous amount of pool caulking around it and smooth it out with your finger.
3. Let the caulking dry for 24 hours before using the pool again.

Cracks in the Pool Liner

Pool liners are relatively straightforward to fix.

For a quick solution, you can cover a small leak with duct tape or waterproof peel-and-stick tapes. Make sure to remove any air bubbles before sealing them completely.

For a more permanent fix, use a vinyl patch kit.

Meanwhile, you can also use a flex seal. You can check out my blog here for more information.

Need to Fix a Pool Leak in Sarasota, FL? 

Call (561) 570-1269 now, and we will schedule a pool repair and renovation company in your area to reach out to you. They will schedule a time convenient for you to stop by and give you a bid on the repairs.

Or you can fill out this form, and we will have the best pool renovation company in your area contact you! 

In case you can not view this video here, please click the link below to view How Do You Seal a Pool Leak? | Nelson Pool Company on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/Rd3UbRU9Nvk