How To Find A Leak In Your Swimming Pool
April 17, 2025
Swimming pools are a wonderful addition to any property, providing countless hours of fun and relaxation. However, a leaking swimming pool can quickly turn into a nightmare, leading to water loss, increased maintenance costs and potential damage to your property. In this blog, we will explore three effective methods to help you determine if your swimming pool has a leak, ensuring you can address the issue promptly and avoid any further complications.
Table of Contents
Dye Test
One of the simplest ways to check for a pool leak is by conducting a dye test. This method involves using a small amount of a specialised dye that is specifically designed for pool leak detection. Here’s how you can perform a dye test:
- Choose a calm day when the wind is minimal to ensure accurate results.
- Stand at various points around the pool, such as the waterline, skimmer and return lines.
- Squeeze a small amount of dye near suspected leak areas or around fittings, cracks or seams.
- Observe the dye closely for several minutes. If the dye is drawn into the crack or seam, it indicates a leak.
Filter Test
The filter system of your swimming pool can provide valuable clues about potential leaks. Here’s how you can perform a filter test to detect a leak:
- Turn off the pool’s filtration system and mark the water level with tape.
- Leave the pool undisturbed for 24 hours and avoid using any water during this time.
- After 24 hours, check the water level. If it has dropped significantly more than regular evaporation, it suggests a possible leak.
Bucket Test
The bucket test is another reliable method for identifying pool leaks and differentiating them from evaporation. Follow these steps to conduct a bucket test:
- Fill a bucket with water, leaving a few inches of space from the top.
- Place the bucket on the pool steps; make sure it is immersed in the water up to the same level as the pool.
- Mark the water level inside the bucket and the pool water level outside the bucket.
- Turn off the pool’s filtration system and note the time.
- After 24 hours, compare the water loss inside the bucket to the water loss outside the bucket. If the pool water level drops more than the water level in the bucket, there is likely a leak.
Wrapping Up
By taking proactive measures to identify a leak in your swimming pool, you can ensure that your pool remains a source of enjoyment and entertainment. Remember, regular inspections, timely repairs and professional guidance will help preserve the longevity and functionality of your pool.
Gibson Family Pools is a trusted swimming pool builder in Port Macquarie. Our quality pool installations minimise the risk of leaks and other issues. Don’t let the fear of leaks and pool-related issues dampen your enjoyment. Contact us for more information on how we can create your dream pool.
Locally family-owned & operated
Simone and Jeremy Tydd, Lake Cathie
Thanks so much for all your help. We are very happy with the pool. It was a very easy process and we will definitely be recommending Gibson Family Pools to others.
Brendan and Catherine Moylan, Moree
A quick note to say thank you for the great job that you and all of the team did for us. The entire process was very smooth and we were extremely happy with the final product. Jayson's suggestions regarding the positioning of the pool and even his landscaping ideas were very much appreciated. Your team were all very professional and courteous during the construction phase, I've never seen such a tidy construction site! The fact that the boys even filled in the small wheel marks on the lawn with top soil when they left highlights the excellent attention to detail that was evident throughout the project. Thanks again for an excellent job and for all of your help.
Fred and Leilani Garcia,Port Macquarie
We would like to thank Jayson, Katwin and the rest of the team at Gibson Family pools for installing our pool. Jayson listened to what we wanted and his advice and suggestions were to our needs and budget. We had a hassle free experience from day one and the process was made easy as Katwin and Jayson took care of everything from the paperwork, dealing with local council to the installation process. The team were friendly and professional and got the work completed within the time frame given - we praise their efforts given the time of year.
We will be using Gibson Family Pools for our future property and we highly recommend them above any other local pool installation company.
Richard and Sheryl, Tamworth
We are really happy with our new pool. Jayson was able to give us great suggestions on how the pool would work best with our house and yard and the travertine tiling around the pool looks fantastic. The entire team were easy to work with and went out of their way to please us.
A friend suggested that we contact Jayson and Katwin when we were considering a pool and in turn we have had no hesitation in recommending Gibson Family Pools to our friends. Thank you very much for a great result at a much better price than other quotes we received.
Robert Wright, Tamworth
I just wanted to take the opportunity to say a big thank you to Jayson and your company for everything that you have done over the last 12 months in the design and implementation of our pool and surrounds. Jayson has been awesome, I like his casual attitude and approach ability, but professional approach to getting the job done. The time he spent with us was invaluable in getting our ideas into reality. The pool has made a massive difference to our lives already, and it is not even summer yet!
Alan and Annette Bradford, Forster
Thank you Jayson, Katwin and staff of Gibson Family Pools for your totally professional and efficient installation of our new pool. From our first enquiry to the clean up on completion we could not have asked for anything better.
We have previously had three pools installed by big name companies who find extras almost every day and don’t turn up when promised. It has been an absolute pleasure dealing with your company and having your staff on site.
Rod and Naomi Miller, Port Macquarie
We have nothing but praise for Gibson Family Pools. We shopped around and couldn't fault their service from the very first email, very first site visit, install and finally through to the after sales service.
When the pool was finished you couldn't even tell that large machinery had been used to install the pool, so neat was the installation process. We changed our mind a few times regarding the concrete layout, all changes were accommodated without fuss. Our funds were limited so Katwin and Jayson worked to our budget.
Rob and Tane Power, Port Macquarie
Just a quick note of thanks for our fantastic new pool. We found the experience to be painless and trouble free. Jayson went out of his way to source a pool that met our requirements and worked with us throughout the whole design and installation process.
The new pool area looks great, everything is functioning as it should and I would recommend Gibson Family Pools to anyone considering a new pool.
Lindsay and Bree Moller, Port Macquarie
I just wanted to thank you for our amazing new pool and spa. Choosing the Brooklyn design was the best thing we ever did. The kids just love jumping from the spa to the pool, then wading area and back again. It's like having 3 pools in one. They could honestly do it for hours on end. The hard part is getting them out by the end of the day. The Connect 10 setup with heat pump has been fantastic. We can heat the spa to 37 degrees in just 2-3 hours. I never thought it would be so quick. AMAZING!
Thanks again to everyone who worked on it, especially Jayson and his team.
Simone and Jeremy Tydd, Lake Cathie
Thanks so much for all your help. We are very happy with the pool. It was a very easy process and we will definitely be recommending Gibson Family Pools to others.
Brendan and Catherine Moylan, Moree
A quick note to say thank you for the great job that you and all of the team did for us. The entire process was very smooth and we were extremely happy with the final product. Jayson's suggestions regarding the positioning of the pool and even his landscaping ideas were very much appreciated. Your team were all very professional and courteous during the construction phase, I've never seen such a tidy construction site! The fact that the boys even filled in the small wheel marks on the lawn with top soil when they left highlights the excellent attention to detail that was evident throughout the project. Thanks again for an excellent job and for all of your help.











