48 questions,
answered plainly.

The bucket test is the free, reliable answer. Fill a 5-gallon bucket with pool water, place it on the pool steps so it's partly submerged, mark both water levels, and leave it 24 hours with normal pump operation. If the pool drops more than the bucket, you have a leak. If they drop equally, it's evaporation. Florida evaporation ranges from 1/8 inch per day on screened pools in winter to 1+ inch on open heated pools during cold fronts with wind.

Normal Florida evaporation ranges from 1/8 inch to 1/2 inch per day for most pools. Screened pools evaporate less, open pools more. Heated pools evaporate significantly more than unheated. A 1/4 inch per day on a screened unheated pool in winter is unusual; the same rate on an open heated pool in summer is normal. See our full leak vs evaporation guide.

Depends on pool size. 1 inch equals length × width × 0.62 gallons for rectangular pools. A 16×32 pool loses about 317 gallons per inch. A 20×40 pool loses about 496 gallons. An 18×36 pool loses about 400 gallons. Full breakdown in our 1-inch-per-day guide.

That's a pressure-side leak. The leak is somewhere in the return plumbing between the pump and the pool. Common sources include return jet fittings, underground return lines, heater connections, and valve bodies.

That's a suction-side leak, meaning the source is between the pool and the pump. About 50% of the time, the source is the skimmer throat where the pipe connects to the skimmer body.

Visible signs include wet spots on the deck that don't dry, settled deck pavers, dying grass on one side of the pool, efflorescence (white mineral staining) on retaining walls, air in the pump basket, bubbles from return jets, auto-fill running constantly, and unexpectedly high water bills. See our 10 signs checklist.

Extend the test. 24-hour tests can miss small, slow leaks. Running the test over 72 hours increases sensitivity. Also check for visible symptoms — wet spots, dying grass, efflorescence, air in pump basket. These indicate a leak even if bucket tests are inconclusive.

1.5–3 hours on site. Visual inspection, review of pool history and any prior quotes, pressure testing of each plumbing circuit independently, dye testing at suspected sources, underwater diver inspection, electronic listening where indicated, and a written finding delivered same day or next business day. See our full process walkthrough.

No — please don't. A full pool is essential for proper diagnosis. The diver needs water to inspect the shell and fittings from inside. Pressure testing requires water to establish baselines.

Residential pool leak detection in Florida typically runs $350–$650 for a standard diagnostic visit. Spa-only diagnostics are similar. Commercial pool diagnostics start at $450 and scale with pool size and complexity. After-hours and emergency dispatch typically add 25%. Full breakdown in our cost guide.

Three reasons. First, conflict-of-interest avoidance — if the same person diagnoses and quotes repair, there's incentive to overstate problems. Second, repair can't be priced accurately before the leak is located. Third, some diagnoses conclude no leak exists. Free leak detection offers almost always build the cost into an inflated repair quote.

Yes. The diagnostic work is identical whether a leak is confirmed or ruled out. Paying for the diagnostic buys a written finding from a licensed specialist, which has real value for insurance claims, pre-sale assurance, or second-opinion verification.

Residential repair costs vary by source. Skimmer throat: $450–$1,200. Return fitting: $350–$900. Underwater crack injection: $1,500–$6,500. Underground plumbing (pinpointed): $1,200–$4,500. Equipment pad unions: $250–$900. Interactive estimator: our cost calculator.

Major credit cards, ACH transfer, and check. Commercial clients under contract typically receive net-30 invoicing. Residential diagnostic fees are due at completion of visit. Financing available through third-party partners for larger repairs.

Three tiers of written warranty. 60 days on detection. 2 years on minor repair. 3 years on major repair. Active warranty in writing is required for service. See full warranty terms.

Depends on type. Skimmer throat repairs last 10–20 years. Return fitting replacements last 15–25 years. Underwater crack injection lasts 8–15+ years. Underground plumbing repairs last 20+ years. Full detail in our repair longevity guide.

File a warranty claim. Within the warranty window, we re-perform the repair at no charge. Call the regional hub that did the original work. About 85% of 'returning' leaks are actually new leaks at different locations on aging pools.

Yes, if we're notified within 30 days of property transfer. The warranty is tied to the repair location and remains in effect for the remainder of the term under the new ownership.

Generally, no. Standard policies classify pool leak repair as maintenance, not a covered accidental event. However, damage caused by the leak — foundation settlement, interior water damage, landscape destruction — is often covered separately. See our complete insurance guide.

Often yes, for damage caused by the leak rather than the leak itself. Covered damage typically includes foundation settlement, interior water intrusion, electrical damage, mold remediation when recent, and sometimes landscape damage up to policy limits. Document the leak as a sudden discovery.

Do the math first. Water damage claims typically raise premiums 10–25% for 3–5 years after filing. Most residential pool leak repairs ($500–$4,500) are cheaper paid out of pocket than claimed. Claims make sense mainly for collateral damage over $10,000.

Yes. Our standard diagnostic delivers a written finding with photos, leak source identification, recommended repair scope, and cost estimate. Insurance-claim-ready documentation includes additional timeline and damage assessment if requested.

Yes, in Florida. Sellers must disclose material defects that affect property value. A known pool leak qualifies. Failure to disclose can result in post-sale lawsuits. Full guide: selling a house with a pool leak.

Generally yes. Buyers overestimate pool repair costs by 3–5x. An $800 repair becomes a $3,000–$5,000 negotiated credit at closing if discovered during buyer inspection. Fixing before listing with documented repair and warranty transfer is usually the least expensive path.

Get your own specialist diagnostic within 48 hours, before agreeing to any remediation scope. General home inspectors frequently overstate pool issues. Once you have your own written quote, you can negotiate from data rather than fear.

Yes — a separate service from leak detection. Pre-purchase pool inspections run $395–$695 and include pool, spa, and equipment assessment with same-day written report suitable for real estate purchase contingencies. See inspection services.

We serve Florida's East Coast — specifically Volusia, Flagler, and Brevard counties. This covers Palm Coast, Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach, Melbourne, Viera, Palm Bay, Titusville, and every city in between. Full list: cities we serve.

Most residential diagnostics scheduled within 1–3 business days. Commercial clients with contracts get 24-hour or same-day dispatch depending on tier. Emergency situations get same-day response when possible.

Same-day residential scheduling is rare but possible during off-peak periods. Commercial clients with contracts can get same-day dispatch in most regions. Call your nearest regional hub for realistic availability.

Three ways. Call the regional hub nearest you — numbers on our contact page. Submit a quote request. Or text us at (386) 226-0078 with your location and description.

Yes. Commercial work represents roughly 40% of our business. We serve HOAs, country clubs, hotels, resorts, theme parks, municipal aquatic facilities, and property management companies. See commercial services and our case studies.

Yes, and we prefer it for hospitality and attraction work. We issue mutual NDAs or countersign client-issued NDAs within 1 business day. Technicians sign confidentiality agreements covering all commercial engagement details.

Yes, under commercial contract. Commercial Priority tier: 4-hour SLA business hours, 24-hour SLA scheduled. 24/7 Contract tier: 2-hour SLA at any hour. Non-contracted commercial clients receive next-business-day response.

Yes. Certificates of insurance naming your property or management company as additional insured issued within 1 business day of contract execution. Standard limits: $2M general liability per occurrence / $4M aggregate.

Yes, during commercial engagement evaluation. References are not published publicly, but specific references from comparable engagements are available under NDA during scoping.

Yes. Our Commercial Capabilities & RFP Specification is an 11-page PDF covering company overview, licensing, insurance, capabilities matrix, warranty terms, and contact directory. Intended for procurement teams.

A specialist repair technique where a certified diver injects two-part hydrophilic polyurethane sealant into shell cracks while the pool remains full. The sealant reacts with water during cure to create a flexible waterproof bond. Pool never drains, tile preserved, most repairs complete in a single visit. See underwater repair services.

Yes. We've successfully injected cracks exceeding 22 inches long on commercial water features. Longer cracks simply take more time but do not require a fundamentally different technique.

In most cases, yes — and sometimes more durable. Drain-and-replaster creates new plaster over the same shell that will develop its own stress cracks over 10–15 years. Injection fills the crack with flexible sealant that moves with normal pool stress.

Yes, for most leak types. Underwater crack injection, skimmer throat repairs, fitting replacements, and equipment pad work do not require draining. Underground plumbing repairs often require only targeted excavation.

Electronic listening equipment and pressure testing isolate the leak to within inches along a 30-foot underground pipe run. This allows targeted 2–4 foot excavation rather than re-routing an entire plumbing run. If another contractor has quoted $8K+ for "return plumbing replacement," that's worth a second opinion.

Yes. Spa-specific work includes shell crack injection, spillover dam repair, jet manifold diagnostics, heater connection work, and spa-to-pool check valve replacement. See spa leak detection.

Yes. Water features, vanishing edges, waterfalls, deck jets, and spillover spas all add complexity because each feature has its own plumbing circuit. We isolate and test each independently.

Founded in 1990 in Merritt Island, FL 32953. 35+ years of continuous operation. Approximately 100,000 documented repairs across Florida. See our history.

No. Independent Florida company. Our technicians are full-time W-2 employees, not contractors assigned by a franchise system. This means we control training, technique, materials, and warranty policy directly.

Yes. Florida State Certified Pool Contractor license CPC#1461444 — the highest-level state credential for pool-related work. Active since issuance with no board actions. $2M general liability, $1M commercial auto, $1M professional liability, $5M umbrella.

Three main differences. First, specific written warranties (60-day detection, 2-year minor, 3-year major) with clear terms. Second, independent specialist company, not a franchise. Third, 35+ years of continuous Florida specialist work. On any job, get both quotes and compare warranty language side-by-side.

American Leak Detection services many leak types beyond pools — slab leaks, water mains, sewer lines. We specialize exclusively in pool and spa leaks and perform underwater crack injection, which most general leak companies don't do.

Send us a diagnostic report and quote from another pool or leak company. We review it, then perform our own independent diagnostic. If we can't identify a better or cheaper path, our detection is free. 96% of our second-opinion engagements save clients money; average savings $14,000. See second opinion guarantee.

Yes. Deck repair, landscape restoration, and plaster resurfacing are not services we perform directly, but we have partner contractors across our service area. Ask during your diagnostic appointment.

Yes. Every diagnostic includes photographic documentation of the leak source, the repair process, and the completed work. For commercial engagements, documentation is retained in a client-access-only repository.