How to Check for a Pool Leak With Food Coloring

Pools, both in-ground and above-ground, will occasionally leak near a gasket, from a hole in the vinyl lining or from a crack in the plaster or concrete. A leak will cause gradual but consistent water loss. The source of the leak, however, can be very difficult to find. In many cases a crack in a concrete pool or vinyl liner can be patched and in some cases without draining the water. Using a food coloring solution is a cheap and easy was to find a leak.

Red food coloring
Squeeze bottle

Instructions

- 1
  Fill a squeeze bottle with water. Add several drops of food coloring to the water until it turns a dark shade of the color. A good choice is red due to its contrast on blue pool liners.
- 2
  Inspect the pool walls and bottoms for any noticeable crack or tears in a vinyl liner. Common areas for a leak are at the pool skimmer and return jet fittings and on the floor of both concrete and vinyl-lined pools. Be prepared to be patient, as the smaller the leak is, the harder it will be to find.
- 3
  Turn off the pool filter and allow the water to settle and become calm. Squeeze the dye solution in the suspected leak area. If the water flows through the crack or tear in the concrete or vinyl pool, that is the leak.

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