Pool repair: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What pool repair is

Pool repair covers leaks, cracks, failing equipment, broken fittings and damaged surfaces that stop a pool from holding water or running safely. People usually call when the water level keeps dropping, a pump or heater quits, or the shell shows a visible crack or lifted tile.

Signs you need it

  • The water level drops faster than evaporation explains, even with the cover on
  • Wet spots, soggy ground or damp soil near the pool equipment or buried plumbing
  • Cracks, hollow spots or lifted tile on the walls, steps or floor
  • The pump, heater or valves leak, make new noises or stop running
  • Bubbles or sudden cloudiness appear near a return fitting or a light niche
  • The chemistry problem comes back after every adjustment, which can point to a water loss issue

What the pro does

  • Inspect the shell, tile, coping, skimmer, returns, light niches and equipment to find the failure point
  • Test the lines and fittings under pressure or with dye to confirm where the water is escaping
  • Cut out and patch cracks using a repair material matched to the surface, such as hydraulic cement or an epoxy patch
  • Replace failed parts such as unions, valves, skimmer throats, light niche gaskets or pump seals
  • Check the repair under water and bring the pool back to the right level before leaving
  • Explain what was found, what was fixed and what still needs attention later

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Where the leak or crack is, since a buried line takes far more digging than an accessible fitting
  • Surface type, such as plaster, pebble, fiberglass or vinyl, because each one repairs differently
  • Whether the crack is cosmetic or structural, and whether the pool needs to be drained
  • Age and make of the equipment, and whether a part is still made or must be custom ordered
  • How much deck, coping or landscaping must be removed and put back
  • Access to the work area, including tight equipment rooms and fenced yards

What a written quote should spell out

  • The leak test method used and the location the pro confirmed
  • Each repair listed separately, with the part name and what it replaces
  • Whether the pool must be drained, and who pays for the water loss and refill
  • What will be cut, dug or removed, and how it will be restored
  • The warranty on patched areas, replaced parts and labor
  • Who returns to check the repair and how long you must wait before swimming

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Where exactly did you find the leak, and how did you confirm it?
  • Will the pool need to be drained, and how is the surface protected if it is?
  • Is this crack cosmetic or structural, and how do you know?
  • Do you use patch materials that suit my surface type?
  • What happens if the leak is in a buried line or behind a wall?
  • Are the replacement parts new, and what warranty comes with them?
  • Who checks the repair afterward, and how long before I can swim?

Red flags

  • They say the pool must be drained for a small fitting leak without testing first
  • They patch a crack without finding out what caused it
  • They use a patch material that does not match the surface type
  • They cannot explain how they confirmed the leak location
  • They push a full resurfacing before a simple repair that would fix the problem

What you can do yourself

A homeowner can watch the water level, note where it drops and take photos of cracks or wet spots to show the pro. Do not dig into buried lines, open the pump or heater, or try to patch the shell yourself, because a poor patch can hide a leak that keeps growing. Call a pro for any leak, crack or fault in equipment that runs on electricity or gas.

Licenses and permits

Pool leak and structural repair is often done under a contractor license, and some areas require permits when plumbing, excavation or structural work is involved. Check with your state or local licensing agency to see what applies to the pro you hire.

Pool repair questions

How do I know if my pool is leaking or just evaporating?

A pro can run a bucket test, where a bucket filled with pool water and set on the top step shows the evaporation rate. If the pool drops much more than the bucket, the extra loss points to a leak, which the pro can then track with dye or pressure testing.

Can a pool crack be patched without draining the pool?

Some hairline cracks can be repaired underwater with the right product, but structural cracks, cracks in the deep end and cracks that move usually need more work. A pro can check the crack and tell you which route fits.

Who pays for a leak caused by plumbing?

It depends on your agreement with the pro and on the cause of the leak. Ask the pro to write down what caused the leak and which repairs are included, so you know exactly what you are paying for.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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