A leaking pool doesn’t always mean expensive repairs. In many cases, you can stop water loss yourself using a few simple tools and products.
This guide covers three of the most common swimming pool leaks and shows how to fix them quickly and easily.
These DIY methods are ideal for homeowners looking to stop leaks fast—and can save you hundreds, or even thousands of dollars.
In this article, you’ll learn how to:
- Fix a leaking skimmer throat using pool putty.
- Repair a vinyl liner tear with an underwater patch kit.
- Seal a leaking pool light conduit using butyl tape.
1. Fixing a Leaking Skimmer Throat with Pool Putty
Why It Leaks:
A common failure point is the cold joint between your pool’s concrete structure and the plastic skimmer housing. Over time, this bond can separate due to shifting, aging, erosion, or water circulation, causing the pool to leak quickly to the bottom of the tile line.
How to Tell:
- The water consistently stops leaking at the bottom of the tile.
- Air bubbles are always present in your pump and return jets—caused by the water level being too low and sucking in air through the skimmers.
- Dye test reveals fluorescent dye being pulled into the skimmer throat’s cold joint.
The Fix:
Use A+B Pool Putty to seal the skimmer throat. This two-part epoxy is easy to apply and cures underwater.
Steps:
- Mix the resin and hardener until uniform with a smooth, clay-like consistency (about 2–3 minutes).
- Apply generously to the skimmer throat’s cold joint. Pack it in around the entire joint.
- Smooth it out to ensure complete coverage and a tight seal.
- Let it cure for 24 hours without disturbing it—avoid vacuuming or brushing the area during this time.
Pool putty is a temporary fix. It’s ideal for slowing or stopping water loss until professionals can perform a permanent skimmer throat repair.
2. Patching a Tear in a Vinyl Pool Liner
Why It Leaks:
Vinyl liners can tear from:
- Sharp debris, toys, or tools
- Suction cleaners or vacuums
- Brittle spots from sun exposure or chemical wear
- Even insect damage or seams pulling apart
How to Tell:
- Look for wrinkles or soft spots, especially in corners
- Use a dye test to confirm if dye is pulled into a suspected tear (turn the pump off for more precise results)
The Fix:
Use an underwater vinyl liner patch kit to apply a flexible patch directly over the tear—no need to drain the pool.
Steps:
- Cut a patch at least 2″ larger than the tear with rounded corners.
- Apply vinyl glue to the patch and fold it half (glue side in).
- Unfold and press it firmly onto the tear.
- Smooth out air and water bubbles, holding them in place for 30–60 seconds.
A well-applied vinyl patch can last months or even years, keeping your liner sealed and extending its lifespan.
3. Sealing a Leaking Pool Light Conduit with Butyl Tape
Why It Leaks:
A broken conduit behind the pool light niche allows water to escape through the ground. This happens when the seal around the conduit fails or the pipe cracks.
How to Tell:
- Remove the pool light and inspect the conduit
- Perform a dye test: If dye is pulled into the conduit, it’s leaking
The Fix:
Butyl tape, a moldable waterproof sealant, is used to plug the conduit.
Steps:
- Turn off power at the breaker before touching anything electrical.
- Remove the pool light from the niche carefully.
- Check the conduit and perform a dye test to confirm the leak.
- Roll and press butyl tape into the conduit opening, wrapping it around wires as needed.
- Mold the seal, press around the edges, and re-dye test to confirm the leak is stopped.
Butyl tape is not a permanent fix but can effectively seal off a light conduit leak until more extensive repair work can be performed.
Call a Professional If the Leak Persists
While these DIY fixes can stop the most common swimming pool leaks, more complex issues may require professional help. If you’ve tried these methods and your pool still loses water, you may be dealing with issues like a broken plumbing line underground or structural damage that can be extremely difficult to detect.
If you live in Delray Beach, Florida, and need a professional swimming pool leak detection, we can help!
Precision Leak Detection uses state-of-the-art leak detection technology to quickly find and fix pool leaks, saving you water, money, and frustration!
