How to detect a leak in a swimming pool?

Owning a high-end swimming pool in the Principality or on the French Riviera requires a certain amount of vigilance to keep it in perfect condition. Whether it's an infinity pool overlooking the Mediterranean or a high-end indoor pool, an undetected leak can quickly turn your relaxation area into a financial and structural disaster.

As the new swimming season approaches, MC Piscine, your expert in swimming pool renovation and maintenance in Monaco, guides you in identifying the warning signs that allow you to detect a swimming pool leak quickly.

Detecting a leak in your swimming pool: warning signs you should not ignore

Even before a leak becomes obvious, with a large puddle of water or a half-empty pool, there are certain signs that should alert you and prompt you to quickly call in a leak detection specialist in Monaco:

  • Abnormal drop in water level: A loss of more than 1 cm per day (excluding periods of high heat) is suspicious.
  • Rising water bills: An automatic refill system that activates too often is the first indicator of a problem.
  • Unstable pH and product levels: If you are unable to balance the water, you may be constantly treating ‘new’ water.
  • Localised algae growth: Walls that turn green despite proper treatment may indicate a crack where water is stagnating.

The bucket test: normal evaporation or a real leak?

In Monaco, the wind and sun cause natural evaporation. To distinguish between what is normal and a possible pool leak, we recommend using this simple method to put your mind at ease or take quick action:

  1. Fill a bucket with water and place it on the first step of the pool.
  2. Adjust the water level in the bucket so that it is the same as the pool.
  3. Mark both levels with a marker pen.
  4. Wait 24 to 48 hours without using the filtration system.
The verdict: If the pool level drops lower than the bucket level, you have a leak. If both levels have dropped equally, it is simply evaporation.

How to detect where the leak is hidden?

In most cases, our customers' leaks are hydraulic or structural.

Leak in the filtration system

If the water level in your pool drops faster when the pump is running, the problem is probably in the pipes, skimmers or multi-way valve seal.

Leak in the pool structure

If the water evaporates significantly even when your filtration system is turned off, the leak may be caused by:

  • A crack in the concrete or lining.
  • A fault in the sealing parts (spotlights, discharge nozzles).
  • Wear and tear on the seals.

Request a leak detection service

Why take action before the swimming season with MC Piscine in Monaco?

Waiting until July to take action is a major risk for property owners in Monaco and neighbouring towns (Beausoleil, Cap-d'Ail, Roquebrune), as this may aggravate the damage and quickly increase the cost!

By taking action now, you can prevent structural damage (water escaping from the leak can erode the ground and endanger your terrace or the foundations of your villa), save resources (stopping a leak limits the waste of drinking water), and ensure the availability of experts in the field such as our MC Piscine Services team. Anticipating in the spring ensures that your pool will be ready and operational as soon as the warm weather arrives.

Accurate leak detection often requires advanced tools (video inspection, pipe pressurisation, acoustic detection). For over 10 years, we have been working with prestigious condominiums and private residences to guarantee perfect watertightness and high-performance equipment (heat pumps, home automation filtration).

Don't let a leak ruin your summer. Contact our technicians for a complete diagnosis and professional repair.

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