Losing water?
Pool leak detection & repair in Tulsa and Broken Arrow
If you're topping off the pool more than the weather explains, something is leaking. We find where the water is going, from fittings and lights to plumbing lines and the equipment pad, and fix it.
- Find the source first
- Quote before repair
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Leak or evaporation?
Try the bucket test first
Every pool loses some water to evaporation, and on hot, dry, windy Oklahoma days that loss can be noticeable. The bucket test compares your pool against a bucket of the same water in the same weather, so you can tell evaporation from a leak.
If the pool drops clearly more than the bucket, especially by the same amount day after day, it's time to call us.
Fill a bucket
Set a bucket on the pool's top step and fill it with pool water to match the pool's water level.
Mark both levels
Mark the water line inside the bucket and on the pool wall or skimmer with tape.
Wait 24 hours
Run the pump on its normal schedule and don't add water or swim.
Compare
If the pool dropped more than the bucket, you likely have a leak. Repeat with the pump off to help narrow it down.
Where leaks hide
The usual suspects
Most pool leaks come from a short list of places. The clues you notice help us know where to look first.
| Where | Clues you might notice |
|---|---|
| Skimmer | Water stops dropping at the bottom of the skimmer opening; cracks where the skimmer meets the pool wall |
| Return fittings and drains | Loss continues regardless of pump; gaps or damage around fittings |
| Light niche | Water stops dropping near the light; dry or cracked sealant around the light housing |
| Underground plumbing | Loss is worse when the pump runs; soggy spots, settling or extra-green grass between the pool and equipment |
| Equipment pad | Drips or puddles at the pump, filter, heater or valves; air bubbles in the returns |
| Shell, tile line or coping | Visible cracks, loose tile, or water seeping behind coping |
How we find it
Leak detection, step by step
Measure the loss
We confirm how much water the pool loses and whether the pump being on or off changes it. That alone narrows the search.
Inspect the equipment pad
Pump seals, filter tanks, heater connections and valves are checked for drips, which are the easiest leaks to find and fix.
Dye test fittings and openings
Colored dye released near skimmers, returns, lights and cracks shows where water is being pulled out of the pool.
Pressure test the lines
Plumbing lines are isolated and pressurized one at a time to find out which one won't hold.
Report and quote
You get what we found, where it is, and a written price to repair it before any work starts.
Don't wait on it
Why a small leak gets expensive
Water and chemicals
Every gallon you top off is new water that has to be balanced and sanitized again, so a leak raises both your water bill and your chemical spend.
Soil and decks
Water escaping into the ground can soften and move the soil under the deck, and Oklahoma's clay soils swell when wet. That can lead to settling and cracks.
Equipment damage
If the water level drops below the skimmer, the pump can draw air and run dry, which can ruin seals and motors.
After we find it
What leak repair usually involves
Most leaks we find are repaired the same way: open it up, fix or replace the failed part, seal it, and confirm the loss has stopped.
If the leak points to a bigger problem, like a cracked shell or failing tile and coping, we'll show you and price the larger fix through renovation or replastering.
- Resealing skimmers, returns and light niches
- Replacing failed gaskets, o-rings and pump seals
- Repairing or replacing broken plumbing lines
- Fixing leaking valves and equipment connections
- Patching small cracks in the finish
- Re-testing to confirm the loss has stopped
Good to know
Leak detection questions
How do I know if my pool is leaking?
Run the bucket test above. If the pool loses noticeably more water than the bucket over 24 hours, or you're topping off far more often than usual, you likely have a leak.
Does the pool lose more water when the pump is running?
Tell us if it does. More loss with the pump on usually points to the pressure side of the plumbing or the equipment, while steady loss either way points more toward the pool itself.
Can you find a leak without draining the pool?
Usually, yes. Dye testing and pressure testing are done with the pool full. Some repairs, like certain cracks or fittings deep in the pool, may need the water lowered once the leak is found.
How long does leak detection take?
It depends on how many places could be leaking and how the pool is plumbed. We'll give you an idea when we schedule the inspection, and report what we find as soon as we find it.
Should I keep topping off the pool until you come?
Yes, keep the water above the bottom of the skimmer so the pump doesn't run dry. Note how much you add and how often; that helps us find the leak faster.
Is the leak repair included in the inspection price?
Detection and repair are quoted separately, because the repair depends on what we find. You get a written price for the repair before any work starts.
Not quite what you need?
Related services
- Equipment repairPump, filter or heater not working
- RenovationLoose tile and failing coping
- ReplasteringCracked or worn finish