What do I do if my pool has a leak?

A swimming pool is more than a luxury—it’s a major investment in your property and your lifestyle. But what happens when something goes wrong? If you suspect your pool is leaking, taking swift action is critical. A small leak can lead to major water loss, skyrocketing utility bills, and structural damage to your pool or surrounding area.

At Showtime Pools, we specialize in Pool Leak Detection & Repair across Toronto, the GTA, York Region, Durham Region (Oshawa, Whitby, Pickering, Uxbridge, Ajax), Simcoe County, Peel Region, and Muskoka. We’re here to walk you through exactly what to do if your pool has a leak, why it matters, and how our team can help you protect your investment with precision and efficiency.

1. Signs Your Pool Has a Leak

Recognizing the signs early can save you thousands in potential repair costs. If you notice any of the following, it’s time to investigate further:

Water loss greater than 1/4 inch per day
Soggy spots around the pool deck or yard
Cracks in the pool structure or tiles
Air bubbles returning through the pool return lines
Increased water bills despite normal usage
Difficulties maintaining pool chemical balance

If any of these symptoms appear, you may have a leak in the plumbing, liner, shell, fittings, or even your pool equipment.

2. Perform a Simple DIY Leak Check

Before calling in professionals, you can perform a bucket test to confirm if the water loss is due to evaporation or a leak.

How to Do the Bucket Test:

Fill a bucket with pool water and place it on the pool’s first step.
Mark the water levels inside and outside the bucket.
Wait 24 hours (without rain or splashing).
Compare the water loss.

If the pool level dropped more than the bucket level, you likely have a leak. However, this test only confirms if a leak exists—it doesn’t tell you where or how bad it is.

3. Why Leaks Should Never Be Ignored

Even a small leak can waste over 20,000 gallons of water in a single season, depending on the size of the pool and the severity of the leak. Beyond the obvious cost of water waste, here are some long-term consequences:

Soil erosion around your pool structure
Damage to foundations, patios, and decks
Underground plumbing issues
Risk of mold or mildew
Damage to pool liners or equipment
Chemical imbalances requiring frequent adjustment

If you own a pool in the Toronto or Muskoka area, rapid temperature changes and soil shifting can accelerate the effects of a leak. That’s why timely pool leak detection & repair is essential.

4. Professional Leak Detection is the Key

Finding a pool leak is not a guessing game—it requires advanced tools, systematic testing, and experienced professionals.

At Showtime Pools, we use:

Electronic Leak Detection: Pinpoints leaks in vinyl liners or gunite pools.
Pressure Testing: Diagnoses underground plumbing issues without excavation.
Dye Testing: Identifies structural leaks around fittings, returns, and lights.
Underwater Camera Inspection: Helps inspect hard-to-reach areas without draining the pool.

These techniques allow us to locate the leak with 98% accuracy. Unlike traditional guesswork, our methods avoid unnecessary digging and save time and money.

5. Leak Repair: Fast, Reliable, and Guaranteed

Once we identify the issue, our trained technicians will recommend the best repair method based on your pool type and leak location. Depending on the source of the leak, repairs may include:

Vinyl liner patching or replacement
Skimmer sealing and structural crack repairs
Pipe sealing and pressure line replacements
Resurfacing of pool plaster
Tile and grout repairs
Pump and filter line sealing

All our pool leak detection & repair services are backed by industry-standard warranties and performed with minimal disruption to your property.

6. Why Showtime Pools?

We are not just another pool service company. Our focus is exclusively on pool leak detection & repair, making us specialists in our field. Here’s why hundreds of homeowners across the GTA, York Region, Simcoe County, Durham, and Muskoka trust us:

Over 10 years of leak detection expertise
Servicing residential and commercial pools
Fully licensed and insured technicians
Service coverage across 25+ cities
Responsive scheduling and same-week availability
Clean, efficient, and non-invasive techniques

When you call Showtime Pools, you’re hiring a local, trusted partner who understands the conditions and challenges of pool ownership in Southern Ontario.

7. Case Studies and Success Metrics

Our data shows that over 82% of pools we inspect are leaking from a single point of failure—often something fixable within 2 hours.

Recent examples:

Whitby homeowner: Lost 1 inch per day. We located a liner seam failure and patched it in under 60 minutes.
Toronto commercial pool: Underground return line leak caused $500/month in excess water bills. Pressure testing revealed the exact spot, saving excavation costs.
Muskoka cottage pool: Hairline crack in the concrete shell caused ongoing algae blooms due to poor circulation. Detected with dye test and sealed with hydraulic cement.

These results speak to the power of working with specialists. Each case began with the same question: What do I do if my pool has a leak?

8. How to Get Started

If you’ve confirmed water loss or suspect a leak, don’t wait. Acting quickly can prevent irreversible damage and higher repair costs.

Here’s how Showtime Pools can help:

Call us at (289) 264-1250 to schedule a consultation.
Email us your issue at info@poolleakdetection.com with photos or descriptions.
Book online at www.PoolLeakDetection.com for service in your region.

We offer free initial assessments and can often provide same-week inspections depending on your location.

9. Ongoing Maintenance Tips to Prevent Future Leaks

Preventive maintenance is key. While not all leaks can be prevented, many can be avoided with proper care. Here are some expert recommendations:

Inspect pool equipment regularly for signs of moisture or rust.
Avoid aggressive brushing around tiles or vinyl seams.
Winterize your pool properly if located in cold regions like Muskoka or Simcoe.
Maintain optimal pH and chlorine levels to prevent liner degradation.
Install water-saving features like auto-fills with shut-off sensors.

Showtime Pools can also schedule seasonal leak check-ups, especially before opening or closing your pool for the season.

10. Final Thoughts: What Do I Do If My Pool Has a Leak?

The answer is simple—call the professionals at Showtime Pools. With advanced detection tools, experienced technicians, and a deep knowledge of the Greater Toronto and Muskoka regions, we are your go-to specialists for pool leak detection & repair.

By acting quickly, you can:

Save thousands of gallons of water
Protect your pool’s structural integrity
Avoid long-term property damage
Preserve your enjoyment of the pool all season long

Your pool is meant for relaxation and recreation—not stress and uncertainty. So if you’re asking yourself, What do I do if my pool has a leak? — the answer starts with one call to Showtime Pools.

Ready to book your inspection?
📞 Call (289) 264-1250
📧 Email info@poolleakdetection.com
🌐 Visit www.PoolLeakDetection.com

We proudly serve Toronto, GTA, Durham, York, Simcoe, Peel, and Muskoka with dependable, high-accuracy pool leak solutions.

Proudly serving Toronto, GTA, York Region, Durham Region (including Oshawa, Whitby, Pickering, Uxbridge, and Ajax), Simcoe County, Peel Region, and Muskoka.