If you’ve got kids or a dog, chances are that you have an inflatable pool. It’s an absolute summer must-have for bringing laughter, splashes, and summer fun right to your backyard. But when your pool ring starts to sag or deflate, even after topping it up with air, it can quickly turn the fun a little sour and cause you frustration. The likelihood is that your pool has sprung a leak, and you’ll need to find out where it is. If you’ve got as far as reading this part of the post, chances are you’ve searched ‘how to find a leak in an inflatable pool’ on your phone or laptop, and we’re here to offer some great tips and tricks for finding that pesky leak.
How To Find A Leak In An Inflatable Pool
Whether it’s a tiny hole, a small leak, or a slow leak, let us walk you through the first steps to pinpointing the culprit, so you can get back to some splashing fun with your family.
First Steps: Prepare Your Toolkit
Before hunting leaks, gather the following bits of kit. An air pump so you can fully inflate the top ring and body. You’ll want a spray bottle which has been pre-filled with water and a bit of washing up liquid (dish soap) or soap water. You’ll want a piece of plastic wrap. Preferably, a large sheet to test the top ring surface. If you are looking for your leak in the evening or when there is low light, you might want some extra light, like a torch or outside light. A marker pen, so you can easily mark up the location of that pesky leak.
It goes without saying that you’ll need a repair kit or patch. We’d suggest a vinyl patch kit, repair sealant, or waterproof tape.
Inflate and Observe Water Level Changes
We’d suggest next fully inflating the top ring, then watching for any changes in your pool. For example, if there is a decline in the amount of air or sagging in the ring. This will suggest a slow leak.
If you find that bubbles form near the bottom of the pool or the pool liner, the leak may not be in the top ring at all—but possibly in the pool material, such as the bottom of the pool.
If nothing is initially visible, you should gradually lower your water level, as having just a couple of inches in the pool can help reveal leaks at the base that hide beneath deeper water.
Soap Spray Method: Bubbles Reveal All
This is probably the best method that the internet can share. It’s one that’s been around for years, and all grandparents know how to do this. The soak spray technique is inexpensive and effective.
1. Mix water with a few drops of washing-up liquid.
2. Fill a spray bottle and spray over the inflated pool ring or suspected areas.
3. Watch closely as you’ll find where bubbles form is where air escapes.
Plastic Wrap Technique: Tiny Holes, Big Clues
There is another technique which you can try. It’s called the plastic wrap technique.
You’d start by inflating the ring and draping a piece of plastic wrap over it. The plastic or pool should be damp, so it clings to the pool. You’ll find that if there’s a hole, the escaping air forms a mini-bubble beneath the wrap. No bubble, you’ll need to slide your bit of plastic around the surface to discover the source.
Torch at Night
If you are trying to find the leak at night, the torch method might be the best option. You’ll need to start by fully inflating the ring. You can then use a torch to shine a light behind or onto the surface. You see, pinholes glow, allowing detection of small leaks that might otherwise go unseen. Clever eh!
Pinpoint and Repair
Once you've located the leak, you’ll want to do the following -
1. Dry around the area in a dry place.
2. Clean and mark the exact location of the leak.
3. Depending on hole size:
Use duct tape or waterproof tape as a temporary measure. For a much longer-lasting fix, you can use a vinyl patch kit or repair sealant. Most swimming pools or paddling pools will come with a repair patch, so take a look in the original box. You’ll find that for very small holes, a dab of sealant may be enough, but larger leaks may need a full patch or even a replacement section.
Post-Repair Checks and Prevention
After patching
You’ll want to allow time for the repair to dry and cure. Once dry, you should re-inflate your pool and re-check with the soapy water spray or torch method to check your pool is airtight once again. It’s a good idea to check your pool at various points over the next day or so.
Preventing Future Leaks
We’d suggest storing your pool in the shade when not in use. Did you know that UV rays and sun exposure can degrade vinyl and pool material? If you are leaving it out for a long period over the summer, it might be a good idea to move it around to prevent wear in the same spot.
It’s a really smart idea to check the surface where you plan to house the pool before inflating it. Look for anything sharp or sticking out that might damage your pool. When you do inflate it, make sure you don’t overinflate it either.
Finding and fixing a leak in your summer pool doesn’t have to become a chore or something that is really complicated. You simply need to get the right tools to hand, with a couple of our handy methods, and you will be well on your way to fixing that pesky pool leak in no time. Your kids will be back paddling in the pool quickly and with the minimal amount of fuss.
We also have lots of other great posts which can keep your summer full of fun. Why not take a look at some of these posts –
How to drain an inflatable pool
Swimming pool games
How long can you leave water in an inflatable pool?
Pool games without toys