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Pool Leak Detection in Hillsborough, NJ

Stop losing water and chemicals. We find leaks in the shell, skimmer, or underground plumbing.

Evaporation or a Real Leak?

Many homes in the Woods Edge area and throughout Hillsborough enjoy backyard pools. It is normal for a pool to lose about a quarter-inch of water per day to evaporation during the hot New Jersey summer. But if you are filling your pool constantly, you are wasting water, expensive chemicals, and risking damage to your pump.

Warning Signs of a Pool Leak

Losing more than 1/4 inch of water per day.
The pool autofill is constantly running.
Algae growth despite maintaining chemical balance (caused by fresh water constantly diluting the chemicals).
Soggy grass or sinkholes forming near the pool deck or equipment pad.
Air bubbles blowing out of the return lines (indicating a suction side leak).

Local Causes

Harsh winters in Somerset County can cause concrete decks to shift, snapping underground PVC plumbing lines. Freezing water can crack skimmer baskets and return fittings. While sometimes the issue is in the pool itself, it might also be a water line leak supplying the autofill or an issue with the yard's irrigation system.

Are you constantly dragging the hose out?

Stop the waste. We test both the structure and the plumbing to find the exact leak.

Call (201) 510-1615

Our Detection Method, Step by Step

The Bucket Test: We may ask you to perform this simple test before we arrive to confirm it's a leak, not just evaporation.
Dye Testing: We dive the pool and inject specialized dye near suspected areas (skimmers, lights, main drains). If there's a crack, the dye will be sucked in.
Pressure Testing: We plug the plumbing lines and pressurize them to determine if the leak is in the suction or return lines underground.
Electronic Listening: If the plumbing is leaking beneath the concrete deck, we use acoustic sensors to pinpoint it, similar to our slab leak detection methods.

What Happens After the Leak is Found?

Minor leaks in the pool shell or around a light niche can often be patched underwater using specialized epoxy during the detection visit. If the leak is in the underground plumbing, we will mark the exact spot on your deck or lawn so a pool repair contractor can excavate only the necessary area.

Cost Factors Explained

The cost varies based on whether the leak is structural (in the pool shell) or plumbing-related. Finding a plumbing leak under a concrete patio is more complex than dye testing a skimmer.

Prevention Tips

Ensure your pool is properly winterized each fall. Blowing out the lines and adding swimming pool antifreeze prevents ice expansion from cracking underground PVC pipes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the bucket test?

Place a bucket of water on a pool step. Mark the water level inside the bucket and outside (pool level). After 24 hours, if the pool level drops more than the bucket level, you have a leak.

Do I need to drain the pool for you to find the leak?

No, in fact, we need the pool full and clear to accurately perform dye testing and underwater inspections.

Can you fix a cracked pipe underground?

We pinpoint the location of the broken underground pipe. Repairing it usually requires a specialized pool contractor to cut the deck, which we can advise you on.

Keep the Water in Your Pool

For expert leak detection in Hillsborough and the surrounding Somerset County area, contact us to schedule your pool inspection.

Visit our Service Areas page to check coverage.

Call (201) 510-1615