Leak Detection Pool Service Austin | The Pool Police
Leak Detection Pool Service Austin | The Pool Police
If your Austin pool is losing more than a quarter-inch of water per day, you likely have a leak — not just evaporation. The Pool Police, based in Lakeway, TX, provides professional leak detection pool service across the greater Austin area. We use pressure testing, dye testing, and equipment diagnostics to find exactly where your pool is losing water, then give you a clear repair plan. Most leaks are found and confirmed in a single visit.
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Is Your Pool Actually Leaking?
Before calling anyone, run the bucket test. Fill a 5-gallon bucket with pool water, set it on a step inside the pool, and mark both the bucket water level and the pool water level. After 24 hours, compare the two. If your pool lost noticeably more water than the bucket, you have a leak.
Austin summers are brutal — temperatures regularly hit 100°F from June through August — and evaporation can account for up to ¼ inch of water loss per day. Anything beyond that warrants a professional look.
Signs you should call us right away:- Pool loses more than 2 inches of water per week
- Water bill has spiked without a clear reason
- Wet or soggy ground near the pool equipment pad
- Cracks visible in the shell, coping, or plumbing fittings
- Pool chemicals are disappearing faster than usual (fresh groundwater dilutes your chemistry)
- Auto-fill valve is running constantly
What's Included in Our Leak Detection Service
We don't just guess and patch. Our leak detection pool service in Austin is a systematic process designed to give you a definitive answer — not a maybe.
Every leak detection visit includes:- Full visual inspection of the pool shell, tile line, coping, and deck
- Skimmer and return line pressure testing
- Main drain and suction line pressure testing
- Dye testing at suspect areas (fittings, lights, steps, drains)
- Equipment pad inspection — pump, filter, heater, valves, and unions
- Plumbing line isolation to determine if the leak is structural or underground
- Written findings report with photos of problem areas
- Clear repair recommendations with no pressure to upsell
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How Our Leak Detection Process Works
We follow a step-by-step method that eliminates possibilities until we find the source. Here's what to expect on the day of service:
Most residential pools in Austin are fully diagnosed within 2–3 hours.
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Leak Detection Cost: What to Expect
Leak detection pricing varies based on pool size, system complexity, and how long the diagnostic process takes. Here's a realistic breakdown:
| Pool Type | Typical Leak Detection Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Small residential (up to 15,000 gal) | $175–$250 | Standard pressure + dye test |
| Mid-size residential (15,000–30,000 gal) | $250–$350 | Larger plumbing systems take more time |
| Large or complex pools (30,000+ gal, spa, water features) | $350–$500+ | Multiple bodies, more plumbing runs |
| Equipment pad only (suspected union/valve leak) | $125–$175 | Faster diagnosis, limited scope |
- Number of plumbing lines that need pressure testing
- Whether a spa, water feature, or attached hot tub is involved
- Age of the pool (older pools often have more suspect areas to check)
- Access to equipment and underground plumbing
- Whether a repair is completed same-day
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Why Austin Pool Owners Choose The Pool Police
We Find Leaks Others Miss
Some pool companies skip the pressure testing and go straight to visible crack inspection. That misses underground pipe leaks, leaking light conduits, and slow fitting failures completely. We test every plumbing line, every time.We're Local to the Austin Area
Based in Lakeway, TX, we serve pools across Austin, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Pflugerville, Bee Cave, and surrounding communities. We know how Austin's clay-heavy soil shifts after dry summers and wet winters — and how that movement stresses pool shells and underground plumbing in ways that don't happen in other climates.No Surprise Charges
We quote the leak detection fee before we start. If additional time is needed, we tell you before we spend it. The written findings report is included — it's not an add-on.We Handle Everything After the Diagnosis
Finding the leak is only half the job. We also handle pool equipment repair, plumbing repairs, equipment replacement, and weekly pool cleaning service once your pool is back in shape. You don't have to coordinate three different companies.---
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my pool is leaking or just evaporating?
Run the bucket test described above. Austin pools can lose up to ¼ inch per day to evaporation in peak summer — that's roughly 1.5–2 inches per week. Losses beyond that, or losses that continue even when the pump is off, point to a structural or plumbing leak.Can you find a leak if the pool is still full of water?
Yes. Most of our testing is done with the pool at normal water level. Pressure testing is done on isolated lines with the pump off. Dye testing happens underwater. You don't need to drain your pool for us to diagnose it.How long does a leak detection appointment take?
For a standard residential pool in Austin, plan on 2–3 hours. Larger pools with spas, attached water features, or complex plumbing systems can take 3–4 hours. We'll give you a more specific estimate when you book.What if you can't find the leak?
It's rare, but if the diagnostic steps don't conclusively identify the source, we'll tell you that honestly. We won't charge you for a repair we didn't confirm. In some cases, we'll recommend a secondary method like electronic listening equipment or a camera inspection of underground lines, which may be quoted separately.My pool is losing water, but only when the pump is running. What does that mean?
This is a classic sign that the leak is on the pressure side of your plumbing — meaning water is being pushed out under pressure through a crack or loose fitting. The return lines, equipment pad unions, and any in-floor cleaning system heads are the first places we'd check.Do you repair the leak after you find it?
In many cases, yes. Simple repairs like tightening unions, replacing gaskets, or patching small cracks in accessible areas are often completed the same day. Underground pipe breaks, major equipment failures, or structural shell repairs are scheduled as a follow-up visit. Either way, you'll have a complete picture of what needs to happen before we leave.---
Stop Losing Water — Book Your Leak Detection Today
A leaking pool costs you money every single day — in water, in chemicals, and in the long-term damage that moisture causes to your deck and surrounding soil. The Pool Police makes it straightforward: we come out, we find the problem, and we tell you exactly how to fix it.
Serving Austin, Lakeway, Bee Cave, Cedar Park, Round Rock, and surrounding communities. Call us or fill out the contact form to schedule your leak detection pool service in Austin. Most appointments are available within 3–5 business days, with priority scheduling available for active leaks.
The Pool Police — Lakeway, TX | Serving Greater AustinFrequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my pool is leaking or just evaporating?
Run the bucket test: fill a 5-gallon bucket with pool water, mark both water levels, and compare after 24 hours. Austin pools can lose up to ¼ inch per day to evaporation. Anything beyond that, or water loss that continues when the pump is off, points to a real leak.
Can you find a leak if the pool is still full of water?
Yes. Most of our testing is done at normal water level. Pressure testing isolates plumbing lines with the pump off, and dye testing is performed underwater. You don't need to drain your pool first.
How long does a leak detection appointment take?
Most standard residential pools in Austin take 2–3 hours. Larger pools with spas, water features, or complex plumbing can take 3–4 hours. We'll give you a time estimate when you book.
What if you can't find the leak?
We'll tell you honestly if we can't confirm the source. We won't charge for a repair we didn't identify. In some cases we'll recommend secondary methods like electronic listening equipment or underground camera inspection, quoted separately.
My pool only loses water when the pump is running. What does that mean?
That pattern points to a pressure-side leak — water is being pushed out through a crack or loose fitting under pressure. We'd start by checking return lines, equipment pad unions, and any in-floor cleaning system heads.
Do you repair the leak after finding it?
Often yes. Simple fixes like replacing gaskets, tightening unions, or patching accessible cracks are handled the same day. Underground pipe breaks or structural repairs are scheduled as a follow-up. Either way, you'll have a clear repair plan before we leave.