Is It a Leak or Just Evaporation?
Every pool loses water. In a hot, dry week a pool can drop a quarter inch a day to evaporation alone, more with wind and a heater running. The question is whether you're losing more than that. Before you search for pool leak repair near you, run the bucket test. It takes two days and costs nothing.
The bucket test:- 1Fill a bucket with pool water and set it on the top step so the rim is above the waterline.
- 2Mark the water level inside the bucket and the pool level on the outside of the bucket.
- 3Turn the pump on and wait 24 hours. Compare the two marks.
- 4Repeat with the pump off for another 24 hours.
If the pool dropped more than the bucket, you have a leak. If it drops more with the pump on, the leak is on the pressure side (returns, plumbing after the pump). If it drops more with the pump off, suspect the suction side or the shell itself.
Where Pool Leaks Usually Hide
Most leaks are in a handful of predictable places:
- Skimmer — the joint where the plastic skimmer meets the concrete or liner is the single most common leak point
- Return fittings — the threaded eyeball fittings and the pipe behind them
- Light niche — the conduit behind the pool light lets water out through the wire path
- Underground plumbing — cracked or separated PVC between the pool and the equipment pad
- Liner — tears, punctures, or a pulled-out bead on vinyl pools
- Shell cracks — structural cracks in plaster or fiberglass, less common but the most expensive
If the water stops dropping at a certain level, note where it stopped. That level is usually right at the leak.
What Leak Detection Costs
Finding the leak is a separate job from fixing it, and it's often the part that justifies hiring a pro. Detection companies use pressure testing on each plumbing line, dye testing at fittings, listening equipment for underground pipes, and sometimes a diver.
| Service | Typical Cost (2026) |
|---|---|
| Basic leak detection (dye test, visual) | $150–$300 |
| Full detection with pressure testing | $250–$500 |
| Detection with diver or electronic listening | $400–$700 |
Most companies credit part of the detection fee toward the repair if you hire them for both. Ask before you book.
Pool Leak Repair Cost by Location
| Leak Location | Typical Repair Cost |
|---|---|
| Skimmer seal or throat | $200–$600 |
| Return fitting | $100–$400 |
| Light niche conduit | $200–$500 |
| Underground plumbing (accessible) | $500–$1,500 |
| Underground plumbing (under deck, requires cutting) | $1,500–$3,500+ |
| Vinyl liner patch (pro) | $100–$300 |
| Vinyl liner replacement | $3,000–$6,000 |
| Structural crack injection | $500–$2,500 |
The wide range on plumbing comes down to access. A pipe that runs through open lawn is a shovel job. The same pipe under a concrete deck means saw cutting, repair, and patching the deck.
DIY or Call a Pro?
Reasonable DIY:- The bucket test
- Dye testing at the skimmer and returns with the pump off (a bottle of dye costs a few dollars)
- A vinyl liner patch on a small tear you can see, using an underwater patch kit
- Replacing a leaking return eyeball fitting
- Any leak you can't locate after dye testing the obvious spots
- Anything underground or behind the light
- Skimmer repairs on concrete pools (the epoxy work has to be right or it fails again)
- A liner that's losing water from the bead or multiple spots
- Any crack in a plaster, gunite, or fiberglass shell
A liner patch is the one leak repair most homeowners can handle. Everything else gets harder fast, and a failed DIY repair usually costs more than the pro visit would have.
How to Find a Pool Leak Repair Company Near You
Not every pool service company does leak detection. It takes specific equipment and experience, and many weekly-service outfits refer it out. When you search:
- 1Look for "leak detection" as a listed service. On Pool Service Scout, each company's page shows its service categories.
- 2Ask whether detection and repair are the same visit. Some companies only find the leak and hand you a report.
- 3Ask if the detection fee is credited to the repair.
- 4Get the repair quote in writing with access work (deck cutting, patching) spelled out.
- 5Verify the license. Plumbing and structural repairs usually require a licensed contractor; every listing links to your state's lookup.
For a broader look at common repairs, see Pool Repair Near Me: What to Know Before You Call.
Browse Pool Repair Companies by City
Some of the most-searched markets on Pool Service Scout:
- Sarasota, FL · Naples, FL · Fort Myers, FL · Tampa, FL · Ocala, FL
- Lake Havasu City, AZ · Corpus Christi, TX · Fort Worth, TX · San Antonio, TX
- Bakersfield, CA · Fresno, CA · Oklahoma City, OK · Tulsa, OK
Or by state: Florida, Texas, Arizona, California, Nevada, Georgia.
Bottom Line
Run the bucket test first, dye test the skimmer and returns second, and call a detection company if that doesn't find it. Compare pool repair companies near you and ask about detection pricing before you book.