We all know that Texas winters can be unpredictable. One day it's 75 degrees, and the next, we are huddling inside during a hard freeze. While we focus on keeping our homes warm, our swimming pools are out in the cold, facing some serious risks.
Now that spring is arriving in Austin, many homeowners are discovering a scary problem: their pool is losing water.
If your pool water level is dropping faster than usual, you might be dealing with "freeze damage." At Centex Pool Repair, we specialize in finding and fixing these hidden leaks before they cause major structural damage to your backyard.
Why Does Freezing Weather Cause Pool Leaks?
It all comes down to basic science. When water freezes, it expands. If there is water trapped inside your pool's PVC pipes, pump, or filter during a hard freeze, that expanding ice acts like a slow-motion explosion.
- Crack the plastic housing on your pool pump.
- Split open underground pipes.
- Break the internal valves of your heater.
- Pop tiles off the wall as the water behind them freezes.
Signs Your Austin Pool Has a Freeze Leak
Sometimes a leak is obvious—like a puddle of water around your equipment pad. But often, the leak is hidden underground or behind the pool walls. Here is what to look for:
1. The Water Level is Dropping
This is the most common sign. Every pool loses a little water to "evaporation" (when the sun turns water into vapor). But if you are losing more than a quarter-inch a day, you likely have a leak.
Not sure? Try the "Bucket Test."
1. Fill a bucket with pool water.
2. Set it on the first step of your pool.
3. Mark the water level inside the bucket and outside (the pool water level).
4. Wait 24 hours. If the pool water level dropped more than the bucket water level, you have a leak!
2. Air Bubbles in the Return Lines
Do you see bubbles coming out of the "jets" (the holes where water shoots back into the pool)? This often means there is a crack in the plumbing on the "suction side."
3. Soggy Spots in the Yard
If one area of your grass is always wet or "squishy," even when it hasn't rained, a pipe underground might be broken. Over time, this leaking water can wash away the dirt under your pool deck, leading to "voids" that cause concrete to crack.
What to Do if You Suspect a Leak
- Turn off the equipment: If you see water spraying, shut down the system.
- Mark the water level: Use tape to track the drop over 24 hours.
- Call a professional: Finding a leak in miles of underground plumbing requires specialized tools.
Professional Leak Detection in Austin
At Centex Pool Repair, we use state-of-the-art technology to "hear" leaks through several feet of dirt and concrete. We don't just start digging holes in your yard—we find the exact spot of the break first.
Whether you are in Round Rock, Cedar Park, or South Austin, we can help you identify if that winter freeze caused permanent damage.