Pool leaks are one of the biggest threats to pool owners. What might seem like a hairline leak can later turn into a foundational issue that can cost thousands of dollars to repair.
Water is not to be underestimated – it created the Grand Canyon, after all. When it silently seeps from your pool into the surrounding areas, it can begin a destructive process that undermines your home’s stability.
Also Read: Energy-Efficient Air Conditioning Solutions for Homes in Long Beach
Throughout this article, we’ll explore how pool leaks impact your foundation, how to identify them, and the steps you can take to protect your property.
The Connection Between Pool Leaks and Foundation Damage
Pool water follows the easiest route through soil and underlying structures. Based on your property’s landscape and where the leak originates, this water can either flow straight toward your home’s foundation or form subterranean pathways that slowly wash away the supporting soil underneath and around your foundation.
Even if your pool is situated far from your house, you’ll be surprised at how fast water can travel underground. As it moves, it carries away soil particles, creating voids that can eventually affect any structure that’s several yards away.
In areas with clay-heavy soil, water causes the clay to expand dramatically, which puts tremendous pressure against the foundation’s walls and footings, possibly leading to cracks or shifts.
Areas with sandy or loose soils experience the opposite. Water washes away these soils, creating empty spaces beneath foundations that once had proper support. As a result, concrete slabs can crack, and foundation walls may settle unevenly or develop structural weaknesses.
This cycle of soil saturation and drying can be damaging. And as seasons change or water sources vary, the soil repeatedly expands and contracts, gradually compromising your foundation’s stability.
Types of Foundations Most Vulnerable to Damage
No foundation is safe from a pool leak, but certain types are more susceptible to damage:
- Slab foundations are especially vulnerable to undermining from consistent water flow. Water can wash away supporting soil and create voids beneath the concrete.
- Pier and beam foundations may experience rot in wooden components when exposed to persistent moisture, while the supporting piers can shift if the surrounding soil erodes.
- Basement foundations can get severely damaged by water pressure from leaks. First in its walls and possibly through any existing cracks, which worsen over time with exposure to moisture.
Homes built on hillsides or with foundations already experiencing stress are at even greater risk. Pool leaks can accelerate these problems or trigger new settlement issues in once-stable areas.
Figuring Out the Source and Severity of Pool Leaks
To fix the problem with your home’s foundation, you must figure out exactly where the water is escaping and how serious it is. A DIY method most homeowners do first is the bucket test. This is where you place a bucket on a step of your pool, making sure the bucket and pool water is at the same level. After 24-48 hours, you can compare the levels. If the water has dropped more than the bucket water, you likely have a leak.
Another test you can do is the dye test, in which you put a few drops of food coloring near the suspected area. You have to make sure your circulation system is turned off for this test to work. If the dye is drawn into a crack or fitting, you have found your leak point.
It also helps to do a quick check on your equipment. Look around pumps, filters, heaters, and plumbing for wet spots, algae growth, or unusual puddles, as these are often early indicators of a leak.
There are more advanced tests for finding pool leaks such as pressure testing but these are best left to the professionals.
Should You Hire Professional Leak Detection Services?
There comes a point when professional expertise is necessary. Otherwise, you’re just guessing and possibly making costly mistakes. If you’ve done the tests above and confirmed that there is indeed a leak, it’s time to call the experts.
Professional leak detectors use specialized technology to find the exact location of the leak. They can also determine its severity and recommend the next steps.
They typically use ultrasonic listening devices to detect the subtle sound of water escaping under pressure, even through concrete and soil. These devices are similar to the equipment doctors use to listen to heartbeats. They amplify the distinct hissing or bubbling sounds that water makes when escaping through small openings.
For plumbing systems, professionals use sophisticated pressure testing equipment that can isolate specific sections of piping to identify exactly where pressure drops are occurring. Some services also use infrared thermal imaging cameras that identify temperature differences in soil or pool surfaces caused by water movement.
Perhaps more important than these tools is the experience that professional leak detection specialists bring. They can locate leaks as well as potential failure points. This allows them to fix the existing problem while avoiding future ones. Think of it as preventative maintenance which can save you thousands in foundation repairs.
Protecting Your Foundation from Leaks
As we’ve explored throughout this article, what starts as a seemingly minor pool issue can silently develop into a serious structural threat to your home. The most effective approach to this problem is with proactive maintenance. Check your pool regularly using the methods we’ve shared above, and call the professionals for help if you have to.
Remember that foundation repairs are typically far more expensive and disruptive than pool leak repairs. It’s best to invest in early detection rather than pay for costly repairs later on.
If you’re currently dealing with a pool leak, don’t delay getting a professional assessment. Foundation specialists can work alongside swimming pool leak detectors to develop a solution that addresses both the immediate leak and any resulting soil or foundation concerns.
By understanding the connection between pool leaks and foundation damage, you’re now better equipped to protect your home from this hidden but significant threat.
