We provide specialized winterization services to safeguard your pool during the off-season, and when spring arrives, we handle the thorough opening process.
Recent Posts
We provide specialized winterization services to safeguard your pool during the off-season, and when spring arrives, we handle the thorough opening process.
A noticeable drop in your pool’s water level overnight may indicate a hidden leak. Absolute Pools investigates unexplained water loss and provides practical pool leak repairs across Cape Town and surrounding areas.
Swimming pools naturally lose some water through evaporation, but a noticeable overnight drop should not be ignored. With no swimming, splashing or backwashing taking place, unexplained water loss becomes easier to identify.
The pool may be leaking through underground pipes, the skimmer box, return fittings, the pool light, cracks in the shell or a damaged internal surface. Water can also escape around the pump, filter, valves or heating equipment.
The water level alone does not reveal the source. The pool and circulation system need to be assessed to determine where the water is going.
Some overnight evaporation can occur, especially after a hot day or during dry, windy weather. However, the water level should not drop significantly every night under ordinary conditions.
The loss is more likely to require attention when:
A consistent pattern is usually more important than one isolated reading.
Before arranging repairs, make sure the lower level is not connected to normal pool operation.
Backwashing can remove a substantial amount of water. Heavy swimming, cleaning, overflowing waste lines and recent maintenance can also lower the level. Automatic filling systems may hide a leak by constantly replacing the lost water.
Mark the water level in the evening and check it again the following morning before using the pool or running a cleaning cycle. Repeat the check under similar conditions if necessary.
If the pool continues to drop consistently, further investigation is justified.
A bucket test can help determine whether the pool is losing more water than expected through evaporation.
Fill a bucket with pool water and place it securely on a pool step so that part of the bucket is submerged. Mark the level inside the bucket and the level of the pool outside it. Leave both exposed to the same conditions overnight.
If the pool level drops noticeably more than the water inside the bucket, a leak may be present.
The test cannot locate the leak, but it can help confirm whether the loss deserves professional attention.
Damaged suction and return pipes can allow water to escape beneath paving or into the surrounding ground.
Underground pipe leaks may not create an immediate visible wet patch. Water can move through soil or beneath paving before signs appear at the surface.
Other symptoms may include weak suction, poor circulation, air bubbles from the return jets or a pump that struggles to prime.
The skimmer box is a common leak point because it connects the pool wall to the suction plumbing.
Cracks in the skimmer body, failed seals and damaged pipe connections can cause the water level to fall. In some cases, the pool repeatedly settles near the bottom of the skimmer opening.
The surrounding paving may also become damp, loose or uneven over time.
Concrete, gunite, marbelite and fibreglass pools can develop cracks through movement, age, surface failure or poor previous repairs.
Not every crack allows water through, but a crack that extends through the waterproof layer may cause steady water loss even when the pump is switched off.
Cracks may appear along walls, floors, steps, corners or around fittings.
Water can escape through the pool light niche, conduit or surrounding seal.
A leak around the light may cause the water to settle close to the height of the fitting. Water inside the light fitting can indicate an additional sealing or electrical problem.
Pool light faults should be handled carefully because electrical equipment is involved.
Return jets, vacuum points and other fittings pass through the pool shell. The seals around these fittings can deteriorate or move over time.
A fitting leak can remain hidden below the waterline and may only become apparent when the water repeatedly drops towards the same height.
A rough or stained pool surface does not automatically mean the pool is leaking. However, widespread cracks, peeling finishes, blisters and damaged fibreglass can compromise the internal lining.
Small damaged areas may be repairable. More extensive deterioration may require resurfacing or fibreglass relining.
Pumps, filters, valves, chlorinators, heat pumps and connected pipework can lose water while the system is operating.
Equipment leaks are often visible as dripping, wet concrete, staining or pooling water around the pump area. Some only appear while the pump is running and stop when the system switches off overnight.
The point at which the water stops falling can provide a useful clue.
If the level settles near the skimmer opening, the skimmer or connected plumbing may require attention. If it stops near the pool light, return jet or another fitting, the leak may be close to that height.
A pool that continues losing water below all fittings may have a crack, floor fitting issue or deeper plumbing problem.
This clue helps guide the inspection, but it should not be treated as final proof of the leak location.
Water loss while the pump is off can indicate a leak in the pool shell, skimmer box, light fitting, suction plumbing or another component below the waterline.
Because the circulation system is not creating pressure, the water is likely escaping through gravity or through a section that remains connected to the pool.
The pool should not be allowed to drain excessively while waiting to see where it stops. Very low water levels can place some pool structures and finishes at risk.
If the pool loses substantially more water while the pump is operating, the problem may be on the pressure side of the system.
Possible sources include return pipes, filter connections, heating equipment, valves and plumbing after the pump.
Water may be forced out under pressure and disappear beneath paving or into the ground. Wet areas near the equipment or pool surround may become more visible while the system is running.
A lower level after backwashing is normal because water is deliberately discharged through the waste line.
The concern arises when the pool continues losing water after the valve has been returned to the filter position. A faulty multiport valve or leaking waste line can allow water to keep escaping without being obvious.
Check whether water continues flowing from the waste outlet while the pool is filtering. The valve, seals or plumbing may need repair.
A pool may appear lower after heavy rain if excess water was removed through an overflow, waste line or manual drainage.
Rain can also expose existing problems. Saturated soil, movement beneath paving and water entering equipment boxes may affect old plumbing or electrical components.
If the level keeps falling after the weather clears, the pool should be assessed for a leak rather than assuming the rain caused the loss.
If the pool loses substantially more water while the pump is operating, the problem may be on the pressure side of the system.
Possible sources include return pipes, filter connections, heating equipment, valves and plumbing after the pump.
Water may be forced out under pressure and disappear beneath paving or into the ground. Wet areas near the equipment or pool surround may become more visible while the system is running.
A lower level after backwashing is normal because water is deliberately discharged through the waste line.
The concern arises when the pool continues losing water after the valve has been returned to the filter position. A faulty multiport valve or leaking waste line can allow water to keep escaping without being obvious.
Check whether water continues flowing from the waste outlet while the pool is filtering. The valve, seals or plumbing may need repair.
A pool may appear lower after heavy rain if excess water was removed through an overflow, waste line or manual drainage.
Rain can also expose existing problems. Saturated soil, movement beneath paving and water entering equipment boxes may affect old plumbing or electrical components.
If the level keeps falling after the weather clears, the pool should be assessed for a leak rather than assuming the rain caused the loss.
Wet, cracked or sinking paving can indicate that water is escaping below the pool surround.
An underground pipe leak, skimmer problem or damaged fitting may wash away supporting sand and soil. Over time, the paving can become hollow, uneven or unstable.
The visible paving damage may be some distance from the actual leak because water can travel underground before reaching the surface.
Air bubbles returning through the pool jets may indicate that air is entering the suction side of the system.
Possible causes include a low pool level, leaking cleaner hose, loose pump lid, worn seal, skimmer fault or suction pipe leak.
When this happens together with overnight water loss, the suction plumbing and skimmer area should be included in the investigation.
A leaking pool wastes water and makes it more difficult to maintain the correct chemical balance. Constant topping up dilutes chlorine, salt and stabiliser, which can contribute to cloudy or green water.
Escaping water can also damage the surrounding ground, paving and coping. If the water falls below the skimmer, the pump may draw air and lose prime.
Early diagnosis can prevent a smaller leak from developing into a larger repair or renovation project.
We begin by looking at how quickly the water level drops, whether the pump is running and where the level appears to settle.
The pool shell, skimmer box, fittings, lights, visible pipework and equipment area are checked for signs of damage or leakage. The system may also be observed with the pump on and off to identify changes in the rate of water loss.
Where the source remains hidden, targeted pool leak detection can help narrow down the affected area before paving is opened or repair work begins.
The correct repair depends on the confirmed source.
Accessible equipment leaks may require repairs to pipes, seals, valves or fittings. Underground pipe leaks may require a targeted section of paving to be opened. Skimmer leaks may need sealing, local rebuilding or component replacement.
Leaks around lights and return fittings may require resealing or repairs around the pool wall. Cracks and failed surfaces may need patching, waterproofing, resurfacing or fibreglass relining.
The goal is to address the cause rather than rely on repeated topping up or temporary sealing.
Absolute Pools investigates pools with dropping water levels across Cape Town and surrounding areas, including the Northern Suburbs, Southern Suburbs, Atlantic Seaboard, Cape Town City Bowl, West Coast suburbs and Helderberg.
Service areas include Durbanville, Bellville, Brackenfell, Kraaifontein, Parow, Goodwood, Milnerton, Table View, Parklands, Blouberg, Century City, Pinelands, Rondebosch, Claremont, Newlands, Constantia, Tokai, Wynberg, Plumstead, Hout Bay, Sea Point, Green Point, Camps Bay, Somerset West, Strand, Gordon’s Bay, Stellenbosch, Paarl and surrounding areas.
Absolute Pools considers the entire pool system, including the shell, surface, skimmer, fittings, pipework and equipment.
We assist with pool leak detection, pipe repairs, skimmer box repairs, crack repairs, light repairs, resurfacing and renovation work. This allows us to recommend a repair route that matches the actual cause of the water loss.
A pool that loses a noticeable amount of water overnight should be checked before the problem affects the paving, water balance or circulation equipment.
Contact Absolute Pools for pool leak detection and repairs across Cape Town and surrounding areas.