A swimming pool naturally loses some water, especially in warm, windy weather. But if you are topping up the pool far more often than usual, there may be a leak in the equipment, plumbing or pool structure. The challenge is knowing when the water loss is normal evaporation and when it needs a repair.
Pool Crew provides pool leak detection in Gqeberha and Port Elizabeth, backed by general pool repairs for the fault once it has been identified. Before booking a repair, there are several safe checks you can make yourself.
Start with the obvious: look around the equipment
Walk around the pump, filter, chlorinator and visible pipework while the system is running. Look for water around unions, valves, pump lids, pump seals and filter fittings. A small pressurized leak can appear only while the pump is on, while a suction-side problem may introduce air rather than visibly spraying water.
If you hear the pump sucking air, see bubbles returning to the pool, notice the pump struggling to stay primed or find damp ground around the equipment pad, it is worth having the system inspected. Replacement fittings, pumps, cleaners and filtration equipment are available through established pool suppliers such as Quality Pool & Spa Products and Fluidra.
Check whether the water stops at a particular level
If a leak is in the pool shell, light fitting, return line or skimmer area, the water may eventually settle around the height of the leak. Do not deliberately allow a pool to drain dangerously low, but note whether repeated water loss appears to slow at the same point.
If the level keeps falling below the skimmer, switch off equipment that cannot operate safely without adequate water. Running a pump dry can cause additional damage and turn a leak problem into a pool pump repair as well.
Try a simple bucket comparison
A basic bucket comparison can help you decide whether the pool is losing water faster than normal evaporation. Place a bucket of pool water on a step or stable surface so the water in the bucket is exposed to similar weather conditions. Mark the water level inside the bucket and the pool level outside it, then compare the change after a suitable period when the pool is not being topped up or heavily used.
If the pool level falls substantially more than the bucket level, a leak becomes more likely. This is only an initial check — rain, splashing, backwashing and autofill systems can distort the result — but it is useful evidence before calling a technician.
Does the pool lose more water when the pump is running?
The timing of the water loss can provide a clue. If loss becomes worse while the pump is running, a pressure-side plumbing or equipment leak may be involved. If loss is worse with the pump off, a suction-side or structural leak may be more likely. This is not a complete diagnosis, but it helps narrow the investigation.
Our pool servicing team checks circulation and equipment condition as part of routine maintenance, while filter repairs and pump repairs cover equipment faults that can mimic or contribute to water-loss problems.
Other signs that deserve attention
- Wet soil or paving that stays damp near the pool or equipment.
- Cracks that appear to be widening or consistently wet.
- Loose tiles, coping or areas of hollow-sounding finish.
- Air entering the pump basket or bubbles from return jets.
- Water loss immediately after backwashing or valve operation.
- A pool that needs frequent top-ups despite similar weather and usage.
Repair or renovate?
Not every leak requires a full renovation. Equipment leaks, faulty valves and accessible plumbing faults can often be repaired directly. However, if the pool surface is failing, cracking extensively or reaching the end of its useful life, it may be sensible to combine leak repair with a broader pool renovation.
The right decision depends on the source of the leak and the condition of the rest of the pool. A targeted inspection is far more useful than guessing.
Get a pool leak checked in Port Elizabeth
If your pool keeps losing water, contact Pool Crew before repeated top-ups become the new normal. We work across Gqeberha, Port Elizabeth and surrounding service areas and can assess the equipment, circulation and visible leak points through our dedicated pool leak detection service. Visit Contact Pool Crew to arrange an inspection or quote.
Talk to Pool Crew
For weekly, bi-weekly or monthly pool cleaning, a major or once-off clean, green pool recovery, pump or filter work, leak detection or general pool help in Gqeberha and Port Elizabeth, speak to our team.