Pool Leak Detection & Repair in New Jersey
Is your pool losing water faster than normal? A small pool leak can waste thousands of gallons over the course of a summer — and cause serious damage to your yard, foundation, and equipment along the way.
Gorlin Pools has been finding and fixing pool leaks in New Jersey since 1999. We locate the problem accurately and fix it right, so you’re not guessing and refilling week after week.
Signs Your Pool May Have a Leak
Some water loss is normal — evaporation accounts for about 1/4 inch per day in NJ’s summer heat. Anything beyond that could indicate a leak. Watch for these signs:
- Losing more than 1/4 to 1/2 inch of water per day
- Water bill increasing without a clear reason
- Soft, wet, or sunken areas in the lawn near the pool or equipment
- Equipment running dry or losing prime
- Cracks in the pool deck or coping that are getting worse
- Chemical use increasing without explanation
- Air bubbles coming from return lines
The Bucket Test: A Simple Home Check
Before calling us, you can do a quick bucket test to confirm you have a leak rather than just high evaporation. Here’s how:
- Fill a bucket to the same water level as your pool
- Place it on a pool step so both are exposed to the same conditions
- Mark the water line in both the bucket and the pool
- Come back 24 hours later (with the pump running normally)
- If the pool has lost significantly more water than the bucket, you likely have a leak
If the test confirms a leak, call us. We’ll come out and find exactly where it is.
How We Find Pool Leaks
Once we’ve found the source, we discuss repair options with you and proceed with your approval. We don’t start work until you understand what we found and what the fix involves.
Pool leaks can come from several sources: the pool shell (cracks in concrete, gaps in vinyl liners), plumbing lines, fittings and returns, light niches, or equipment connections. We use a systematic approach to find each one:
- Visual inspection of all visible surfaces, fittings, and equipment
- Pressure testing plumbing lines to detect underground leaks
- Dye testing around fittings, returns, and light niches to see where water is escaping
- Electronic listening equipment to pinpoint underground plumbing leaks without excavation
Common Sources of Pool Leaks
Some water loss is normal — evaporation accounts for about 1/4 inch per day in NJ’s summer heat. Anything beyond that could indicate a leak.
Vinyl Liner Tears
Vinyl liners develop small tears over time, especially around fittings, stairs, and light fixtures. We can often patch small tears, but a liner with multiple failures or significant age may need full replacement.
Plumbing Line Failures
Underground plumbing lines can develop cracks from ground movement, root intrusion, or freeze/thaw cycles — which NJ winters make common. Pressure testing identifies failed lines without unnecessary digging.
Equipment Pad Leaks
Leaks around your pump, filter, or heater are usually the easiest to find and fix — often just a worn O-ring, union, or valve. We check all equipment connections as part of every leak investigation.
Why Gorlin Pools for Leak Detection
Gorlin Pools has been serving New Jersey homeowners since 1999. That’s 25+ years of experience right here in Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, and Ocean Counties.
We’re fully licensed in New Jersey (License #13VH00046300) and proud members of the Better Business Bureau and the Chambers of Commerce in every county we serve. Our team holds itself to 9 non-negotiable standards — including honesty, safety, and long-term relationships — because we believe your pool deserves more than a quick fix.
When you call Gorlin, you get a pool service company that puts your safety and satisfaction first, every single time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to get started? Call us at (732) 323-8200 or fill out our online form to schedule your pool leak detection service. We serve homeowners across Ocean, Monmouth, Middlesex, and Mercer Counties, NJ.
How do I know if my pool has a leak?
The bucket test is a reliable home check. If your pool loses significantly more water than a bucket of equal water sitting on a step over 24 hours, you likely have a leak.
How do you find a pool leak?
We use a combination of visual inspection, pressure testing, dye testing, and electronic listening equipment to locate the source accurately before recommending repairs.
Can a small pool leak wait?
We wouldn’t recommend it. Even a small leak wastes significant water over a season and can undermine your pool deck, saturate the surrounding soil, and damage equipment. It also makes water chemistry much harder to maintain.
Is pool leak detection covered by homeowners insurance?
In some cases, yes — especially if the leak has caused damage to your property. We recommend checking with your insurance provider. We can document our findings to support a claim if needed.
What if the leak is in my underground plumbing?
We can pressure test and locate underground leaks with minimal disruption. Many can be repaired via pipe lining or targeted spot repair without extensive excavation.