It does not matter if you have a residential, a community, or a commercial swimming pool – it is still important to monitor the water levels to get ahead with an early leak detection to prevent higher water bills and pool maintenance costs.

Austin Leak Detection: When to Call a Professional

Why Leak Detection Matters

Professional leak detection uses specialized tools to identify hidden problems quickly and accurately. These tools help pinpoint leaks while reducing guesswork, disruption, and unnecessary repairs.

Even small leaks can lead to:

• Higher water bills & water treatment costs
• Equipment strain and inefficiency
• Structural impairment
• Soil erosion or foundation concerns

If you notice any of the following, it may be time to schedule a professional inspection.

Common Signs You May Have a Leak

• Unexplained water loss beyond normal evaporation
• Cracks forming in the pool structure or surrounding surfaces
• Increased water treatment to maintain the pH balance
• Air in pump systems or reduced water pressure

Evaporation vs Leak 

An average backyard pool in Central Texas may lose 1/4” or more per day during the summer season due to evaporation. In a 20′ x 10′ backyard pool this can be +900 gallons per month. If the pool is losing more than this, the water meter is running and the water treatment cost is growing.

The best way to measure evaporation is to do a Bucket Test in the pool.  A bucket test will allow you to measure the difference between evaporation and any potential leak.

Knowing how much water the pool is losing in a 24-hour period is one of the most important things Austin Leak Detection wants to know before performing a leak detection. The evaporation rates from the bucket and the pool will be the same. However, the pool level drops more quickly than the bucket level, an additional leak inspection is needed.

Leaks Have an Acoustic Signature

As with so much in life, it is valuable to listen first.

 Dye Testing

At Austin Leak Detection we use electronic listening devices including poolside and underwater microphones (hydrophones) to help trace the acoustic signature of leaks.  Leaks around fittings and gaskets may sound like running water into a void. We use isolate the leak and define the best repair options – often while on site the first time.

A dye test is one way to determine the direction and rate of water flows in the pool. We use specialized dyes to locate leaks in light conduits, around fittings, skimmers, and other fixtures. The dyes themselves are organic and non-staining. They will not discolor the pool surfaces or your kids. Residual dyes dissipate quickly in water. Our dyes are concentrated and weighted a little differently than water. Our technicians will add a little dye from a syringe in proximity to a suspected leak. The swimming pool must be clean and at normal water level so fixtures are submerged. We will turn the pumps and floor cleaners off to conduct a still water test.

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Pressure Testing Pumps & Systems

Pressure testing is a diagnostic tool used to identify leaks in pool plumbing and systems by measuring pressure drops in isolated sections of piping. Our technicians use specialized equipment to control pressures and we test a very modest levels (15 to 20 psi) over a fixed period of time. We track and bleed down in pressurized systems to isolate leaks with pinpoint accuracy, often in combination with our acoustic tools.

1. Isolating plumbing lines: Sections of the pool’s plumbing system are closed off using reducers and adapters onto pipes and fittings.
2. Pressurizing: Technicians use a pressure tester to introduce air or water into the pipes at controlled levels (typically 15–20 psi).
3. Monitoring pressure drops: A pressure gauge detects any loss of pressure, indicating if a swimming pool plumbing line is leaking. 

Turn the pressure to us. Our professionals can find and sort the leak.