What does leak detection cost by pool type and method?
Labor is almost the whole bill. The pool type and how hard the leak is to reach set how long the technician needs.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Leak detection, above-ground pool | $100 to $500 |
| Leak detection, inground pool | $400 to $1,000 |
| Dye and pressure test, South Florida | $250 to $500 |
| Pressure test only | $150 to $500 |
| Pool inspection, general | $200 to $500 |
An obvious tear in a liner is quick to find. A slow loss from a pipe under the deck can take a full pressure test of every line and an electronic trace.
What does the repair cost once the leak is found?
Detection is the cheaper half. HomeGuide puts the typical repair at $500 to $1,500 once the source is known, and South Florida contractors quote from $150 for a skimmer throat reseal to $2,800 and up for a main line under the deck.
| Repair | Cost |
|---|---|
| Pool light seal | $70 to $150 per light |
| Skimmer throat reseal | from $150 |
| Drain repair | $400 to $1,500 |
| Liner repair | $100 to $3,600 |
| Main plumbing line under the deck | $2,800 and up |
| Excavation, when needed | $100 to $300 per hour |
What pushes the price up?
Concrete pools cost more to test than vinyl or fiberglass because there are more places for water to escape. Emergency and after-hours calls cost more. So does a leak that needs the pool drained, which adds $70 to $175 for draining and $40 to $2,000 to refill. Clearing toys and debris before the visit and describing exactly when the level drops both shorten the job.
Common questions
How do I know if my pool is leaking or just evaporating?
Use the bucket test. Fill a bucket with pool water, set it on a step so the rim is above the surface, mark both water levels and wait 24 hours with the pump off. Evaporation drops both the same amount. If the pool drops more than the bucket, you have a leak. In Florida summer a pool can lose a quarter inch a day to evaporation alone, so test before paying for detection.
What does a pool leak detection visit involve?
The technician starts with a visual check and dye tests at the skimmer, lights, fittings and cracks, then pressure tests the underground plumbing line by line. Electronic listening equipment or a dive follow if the plumbing holds pressure. Most visits take one to three hours and end with a written location and a repair quote. Some companies include small repairs like a fitting reseal in the fee.
Can a pool cleaning company fix a leak?
Many Tampa Bay cleaning companies do leak detection, and the listing above shows the ones that list it. The repair depends on where the leak is. A skimmer reseal or light fitting is simple. A cracked shell or a pipe under the deck is contractor work that needs a Florida pool contractor license, and the License verified mark on MyPoolsGuide shows which companies hold one.