How to Repair Pool Leaks

Keep your water in your pool by patching leaks.

If your pool is losing a significant amount of water compared to what it usually loses due to evaporation and you notice soggy ground an area of the pool, it is likely your pool has a leak. A leak that is left unrepaired will cost you money in replacement water for the pool and chemicals. Before you can repair the leak, though, you need to find it. This can be a challenging task depending on your swimming skills.

Things You'll Need

• Vinyl repair kit
• Goggles

Instructions

1. Locate the pool leak. Look for areas of soggy ground or if you are lucky enough, the leak may be visible on the outside of the pool as a small stream of water.

2. Dive into the pool to get a visual of the leak. Clean around the leak a few inches each way to prep the surface for your patch.

3. Cut a square of vinyl that came with your vinyl repair kit that is big enough to cover the leak. It should extend past the leak an inch each way.

4. Squirt the sealant on the patch and spread it over the entire surface. Fold the patch in half with the sealant in between the fold.

5. Dive to where the leak is and unfold the patch. Press the center of the patch over the hole in your pool liner. Press outward in all directions to seal the patch to the pool liner.

6. Examine the pool to ensure the leak has stopped. If you still notice water escaping, you may have more than one leak the needs to be addressed.

Tips & Warnings

• If you cannot fix the leak with a patch, the liner may be too far compromised to patch. You will then have to replace it.

References

• Poolcenter: Vinyl Liners