The Ultimate Guide to Finding and Fixing Pool Leaks in South East Queensland.
1. Cracks Appearing in Your Deck or Paving
Your pool shell is surrounded by a concrete bond beam and paving or decking. A leak from the pool’s plumbing or shell can saturate and erode the soil beneath this solid structure. As the ground becomes unstable and washes away, it can no longer support the heavy concrete, leading to sinking, cracking, and lifting of your pavers or pool deck. If you see new cracks forming, it’s a major red flag.
2. You’re Constantly Fighting Algae & Water Discolouration
Are you battling persistent algae blooms, even with regular chemical treatments? A constant leak means you are constantly adding fresh, untreated water to the pool. This new water dilutes your expensive chemicals, like chlorine and algaecide, rendering them less effective. If your pool water is always cloudy, green, or you can’t seem to keep your chemical levels stable, a leak is a likely culprit.
3. Your Water Bills Are Unusually High
This one is easy to overlook, but it’s often the most costly symptom. A pool leak of just a few millimetres per day can waste thousands of litres of water over a month. If your automatic filler is constantly topping up the pool, you won’t see the water level drop, but you will see the impact on your quarterly water bill from your local SEQ council. Take a look at your bills from the same time last year; a significant, unexplained increase is a strong indicator of a leak.
4. You Notice Automatic Chemical Doser Working Overtime
Similar to the point about algae, if you have an automatic chlorinator or acid doser, a leak forces it to work much harder. The system is trying to treat a constantly growing volume of water as fresh water is added to replace what has leaked out. You may find you’re refilling your salt chlorinator’s salt cell or your acid drum far more frequently than you used to.
5. You Can Hear Water or See Movement with the Pump OFF
This requires a bit of quiet detective work. On a calm day, turn off your pool pump completely and stand near the pool. Listen carefully. Do you hear any faint sounds of running water? Check the skimmer box; can you see a tiny current still pulling leaves towards it, even with no suction? These are signs of a significant leak where water is escaping through the plumbing system via gravity.
Don’t Ignore the Warning Signs
These advanced signs are your pool’s way of telling you something is wrong. Ignoring them can lead to more significant structural damage and higher repair costs down the line. If any of these symptoms sound familiar, it’s time to get a professional diagnosis.