4 Things to Know About Fixing Pool Leaks Without Draining

Most pool leaks can be fixed underwater Unless the leak is in the main drain line or the pool has a fiberglass shell needing structural repair, you can patch it without draining. Vinyl liners and concrete or gunite pools are both repairable underwater.

Use the right patch for your pool type For vinyl liners, use an underwater patch kit (about $20). Clean the area, cut a patch larger than the tear, and stick it on. For concrete or gunite, use hydraulic cement or underwater epoxy.

Find the exact leak before patching Patching the wrong spot wastes time and money. Use a dye test: squeeze food coloring near the suspected crack and watch it get sucked in. For deeper leaks, use a listening device.

Draining a pool is risky Draining can cause the liner to shrink or shift, and concrete can crack from hydrostatic pressure. Keep the pool full unless you absolutely need access to a leak below the waterline that can’t be reached otherwise.