FAQs

• How do I know if my pool is leaking?

  If you have an auto fill turn it off. Simply mark the pool at the waterline with a pencil or tape. Check the mark 24 hours later and measure any water loss. In the hotter months we recommend performing a simple bucket test. A bucket test shows you how much evaporation is occurring on your swimming pool.

• Why does my pool need to be cleaned before Austin Leak Detection arrives?

  Often our technicians must dive the swimming pool to test drains, lights and other areas of the pool. We cannot do this if the pool is not clean. Our technicians dive several pools a week and will not get into a dirty pool or a pool with algae. Please have the pool clean and chlorinated upon our arrival.

• Why does my pool need to be filled before Austin Leak Detection arrives?

  To find structural leaks such as cracks in the pool shell, skimmer bucket, light niche among other areas, we must dye test. We are looking for small amounts of dye to get drawn into a cracks, voids, light conduits or other structural areas of the swimming pool. A dye test only works if there is water pressure on the leak. If your pool level is low, and the water level has stabilized at the level of the leak, a dye test will not work.

• Why does Austin Leak Detection need to know how much water my pool is losing?

  We can only find leaks of a certain size. Dye testing and other leak detection methods are ineffective unless the leak is substantial, usually over ½” of loss per day.

• What if I can’t keep my pool filled before the leak detection?

  Please contact us and let us know. We can usually work with you and may ask you to start filling the pool a few hours before our arrival.

• Why do I need to shut off my water features before the leak detection?

  To test plumbing lines, we need access to the pipe to plug it for a pressure test. We cannot access the plumbing within most water features for testing. Because we cannot test the water feature, we want to verify the pool leaks without the water feature running. If the pool does not leak without the water feature running there is usually no need to test other areas of the pool.

• How long does it take to do a swimming pool leak detection?

  On average it will take 1-2 hours to do a leak detection on a simple swimming pool. However, the time it takes can vary greatly depending on the size and scope of the pool, as well as the cause of the leak.

• Does Austin Leak Detection apply the cost of the leak detection to the repair?

  No. Austin Leak Detection charges one price for locating the leak and another price for repairing the leak. Once the leak is located Austin Leak Detection can provide you an estimate for repair in most cases. Some smaller repairs such as applying pool putty to a small area are done at no additional cost.

• Does Austin Leak Detection perform all repairs or do renovations?

  Austin Leak Detection performs repairs on the majority of the leaks we locate. However, we are not a renovation company or plaster company. If your pool needs a repair that we cannot perform we can usually refer you to a company that can do the repair.

• Do I need to be home during the leak detection?

  No. As long as we have access to the pool and the pool equipment you do not have to be present during the leak detection. We will provide you an invoice with details of our findings upon completion and provide pictures or videos whenever possible.

• How does Austin Leak Detection locate the leak?

  We have several methods to locate leaks. Most plumbing line leaks are found by pressure testing. When we find a line that does not hold pressure, we use sound equipment to listen for the leak. Structural leaks are found by dye testing or using hydrophones (underwater microphones). We may also use cameras, helium or other methods depending on the situation.

• Does Austin Leak Detection guarantee their work?

  Yes. Austin Leak Detection guarantees a leak detection for 30 days. Austin Leak Detection warranties most repairs for 1 year, however we do not warranty structural crack repair.

• Can Austin Leak Detection find multiple leaks in one plumbing line?

  In most cases “no”. When we pressure test a line and it does not hold pressure, we know we have a leaking line. We will then listen for the leak with sound equipment. Typically, we will only hear the biggest or loudest break in the line first. Once the repair is made, the line should be pressure tested again to ensure there is no secondary leak in the plumbing line.

• I am buying a new house; will Austin Leak Detection do a swimming pool inspection?

  We specialize in swimming pool leak detection and repair. We do not perform pool inspections for new home buyers. We will always alert you to leaks at the pool equipment however, we do not inspect pool equipment for working order such as heaters, control panels, lights and other equipment.

• My pool has a negative edge that spills into a basin and an attached spa. How do I do a bucket test?

  We recommend making a mark in each body of water; spa, pool and basin and shutting the system off for 24 hours as well as any auto fill. If only one body of water goes down it may only be necessary to test one body of water. This can lower the cost of the leak detection.

• Will Austin Leak Detection come back and retest after a repair has been made?

  Only if the pool is still leaking. Whether Austin Leak Detection or someone else performs the repair, it is always a good idea to monitor the water level for 24-hour period after the repair. Austin Leak Detection will always pressure test a line that we repair to verify the repair is good and there is no secondary leak in the line.

• What is an in-floor cleaning system?

  An in-floor pool cleaning system uses pop up cleaners, working in zones to push debris and dirt to the pool drain. They’re called pop ups because they literally pop out of the pool floor to clean and then retract when done. These are installed when the pool is built and are on the pool floor, benches and steps. The average pool might have 15 or more pop up heads scattered around in strategic zones. To test an in-floor system the tech must dive the pool, remove and plug each head for a pressure test.