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Author: Kevin

Is My Pool Leaking?

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Tips. No Comments on Is My Pool Leaking?

How to test for a leak in your pool, spa, or fountain:

The Evaporation Test

Pools naturally lose water every day through evaporation. Environmental factors like heat, sunlight, and humidity all influence the amount lost. As Summer approaches, days get longer and warmer. Evaporation can increase, and sometimes give you the incorrect impression your pool is leaking. Here is a foolproof test to see whether your water loss is due to a leak:

  1. Get a 5 gallon bucket.
  2. Set your bucket on the first step of your pool and fill it with water. (If your pool does not have a step on which to place the bucket, setting it on the deck next to the pool will work.)
  3. Fill the bucket a couple inches below the top and mark the water level with a pencil or piece of tape.
  4. Mark the level of the pool, again with a pencil or piece of tape. A good place for this is the outside of the bucket, but anywhere works.
  5. It is important during this test that no one swims in the pool, and that pets do not drink from the bucket. After 24 hours, compare the level of water loss in the bucket to that in the pool. Inch for inch, the water loss should be the same. If this is the case, congratulations! You are leak free! If the pool is down more than the bucket (at least 1/4″ more than the bucket’s loss), then you most likely have a leak. Give us a call and we’ll find it!

Is My Plumbing Leaking?

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Plumbing. No Comments on Is My Plumbing Leaking?

How to test for a leak in your home’s pressure plumbing:

Maybe your water bill has increased or you think you hear water running when it shouldn’t be. Do you have a leak? This is a fantastic test to determine whether your pressure plumbing is leaking.

  1. Find your water meter. It is almost always located on your property in a concrete vault at your property line next to the street, although in rare cases it can be elsewhere (like in your back yard, or next to your town-home unit)
  2. Communicate with everyone in your household: Do not to use any water for the duration of this test (half an hour).
  3. Make note of the water meter’s numerical reading.
  4. After half an hour, look at the meter again. Has the number changed? If not, your pressure plumbing does not leak! If so, continue.
  5. If the number has changed, close the valves beneath all your house’s toilets. Sometimes toilets can run when not in use, causing unexpected water use.
  6. Reperform this test (steps 2 through4). Has the number changed? If not, your toilets are cycling when not in use. This is a simple fix that can be performed by any plumber or handyman. If the number has again changed, you most likely have a leak. Give us a call, and we’ll find it for you!
Water meter vault at the curb.
Some boxes contain more than one meter. Make sure you are looking at the one for your house.
Make note of the numerical reading. Recheck after half an hour of no water use.

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