No one likes to deal with a damaged swimming pool or spa, but repairs are going to be needed at some point. How long your pool will be out of commission will depend on a number of factors including: the way the pool was installed, the materials needed for repairs and the past maintenance level. Before you start to panic, call the swimming pool contractor who installed your pool ...

Having a pool installed was one of the best decisions we ever made as homeowners. That is, until the darn thing started losing water a lot faster than it ever had before. My panic was obvious as I thought, "My pool is leaking!" I envisioned small lakes around my yard and the pool itself cracking and crumbling. My entire yard became a sink hole in my mind, and I didn't even know where to go for help.

Do you suspect a leak in your backyard swimming pool? Leaks are a fairly common problem with all types of residential pools, but diagnosing and correcting the problem can be easier said than done. Some leaks require professional assistance to treat, but others can be managed by the pool owner. This article will provide some basic tips on how to determine if you have a leak and precisely where the leak is located.

Is it a Leak or Evaporation?

A backyard swimming pool provides plenty of fun in the sun for the homeowner - until the pool stops working like it should. Repairing an in ground swimming pool may seem like an insurmountable task, but many of the common problems are relatively easy to fix. If fact, some repairs might even be DIY tasks for the savvy homeowner. Here are some of the most common problems seen with in ground swimming pools and a brief overview of what to do about them.

Pool Leaks

With a mask and snorkel submerge yourself underwater and look clearly for any signs of tears or cracks. Check seams around skimmers, valves and plastic connections, as these tend to weaken and crack with chlorine, chemicals, sunlight and UV. A good way to tell if it's your skimmer is if the water level doesn't drop below the line of the skimmer. One way to determine the level or height of the leak is to allow the water level to drop until it stops - then you know you have reached the height of the leak.