Winter Swimming Pool Leaks
It’s easy to think that pool leaks only happen during the summer, but the truth is, winter leaks are surprisingly common — and can lead to serious structural and plumbing damage if ignored. At Pool Patcher®, we often receive calls from homeowners in New Jersey noticing their water level dropping even when their pool is closed or covered for the season. So, what should you do if your pool is losing water during the winter?
Let’s walk through the causes, signs, and professional steps you should take to diagnose and fix a winter pool leak before it causes long-term damage to your pool, liner, or underground plumbing system.
Understanding Why Pool Leaks Happen in the Winter
Even though your pool isn’t being used during the colder months, temperature fluctuations, freezing conditions, and material contraction can create new leak points or worsen existing ones. Vinyl liners shrink in cold temperatures, seals can crack, and older plumbing can split underground as water freezes and expands.
Additionally, when the water level drops below the skimmers or returns, it exposes the liner or plaster to air, leading to further cracking or pulling away from the track. This makes winter pool leak detection just as important as it is during the swimming season.
Common Causes of Winter Pool Leaks
- Cracked return or skimmer lines: As water freezes inside pipes, it can cause expansion and small fractures in PVC plumbing.
- Shrinking vinyl liners: Cold temperatures can cause the liner to tighten and separate from corners or the coping track.
- Leaking light niches: Metal niches, especially older ones, can rust through over time, creating large leaks.
- Main drain leaks: Even though they are below the frost line, main drain fittings or hydrostatic valves can deteriorate with age.
- Worn gaskets and fittings: Rubber gaskets around returns, steps, and faceplates can dry out or crack in freezing conditions.
In many cases, homeowners assume water loss is from evaporation, but during winter, evaporation is minimal. If you notice your water level dropping more than an inch a week when the pool is not being used, it’s likely a leak that requires professional attention.
How to Tell If Your Pool Is Leaking in the Winter
Because your pool is covered or not in use, it can be harder to see the signs of a leak. However, a few key indicators can help you determine if you need professional pool leak detection services:
- Unusual water loss even with the cover on
- Visible air bubbles or gurgling sounds in plumbing when opened
- Pool cover sagging or collecting more water than usual
- Frozen water around plumbing lines or equipment pad
- Wet spots or pooling water near underground lines
If you see any of these signs, don’t ignore them. The longer a leak continues through the winter, the greater the chance for freeze-related damage, erosion, or soil washout beneath your pool structure.
What You Should Do First
The first step is to verify that your water loss is not due to evaporation. This can be done with a simple bucket test when temperatures allow. However, if your pool is winterized and closed, do not attempt to refill or restart plumbing equipment without professional guidance — doing so could damage your lines or pumps.
Instead, document the water level changes weekly. If you notice more than one inch of water loss per week, contact a professional leak detection company like Pool Patcher®. We use electronic and pressure testing methods that can identify leaks even in cold weather, often without disturbing your cover or pool structure.
Why You Should Never Ignore a Winter Pool Leak
Ignoring a pool leak in winter can lead to:
- Structural damage: Soil erosion can cause cracks, sinking, or separation between the liner and pool walls.
- Freeze damage: Water trapped in pipes or cracks expands as it freezes, worsening the leak and breaking plumbing joints.
- Liner failure: A shrinking liner can pull away from the coping track and become unrepairable.
- Equipment damage: Pumps and filters can dry out or crack if exposed to air from low water levels.
It’s important to take leaks seriously, even in the off-season. Early detection prevents expensive repairs in the spring and extends the life of your pool system.
Professional Leak Detection During Winter
Pool Patcher® uses advanced, non-invasive electronic pool leak detection and pressure testing equipment capable of pinpointing leaks even in freezing conditions. Our process involves isolating plumbing lines, listening for pressure loss, and electronically tracing the source of the leak underground or within the liner system.
Our winter leak detection services include:
- Pressure testing of underground suction, return, and main drain lines
- Electronic scanning of pool surfaces, fittings, and light niches
- Leak isolation for spas, waterfalls, and auxiliary features
- Leak pinpointing before excavation or liner replacement
Once the leak source is identified, we provide a detailed report and recommendations for professional pool leak repair in the spring, or immediate winter repair if conditions allow.
How Pool Patcher® Protects You Year-Round
We understand that pool ownership is a year-round investment. That’s why Pool Patcher® offers guaranteed diagnostics, flat-rate pricing, and accurate leak location services throughout Monmouth, Ocean, Middlesex, and Mercer Counties. Whether it’s summer or winter, our team is equipped to detect leaks in vinyl-liner, fiberglass, and gunite pools with unmatched precision.
When you call Pool Patcher®, you’re getting specialists — not general pool maintenance technicians. We focus exclusively on finding leaks, testing plumbing, and protecting your pool structure, ensuring that you don’t waste time or money on unnecessary repairs.
Preventing Future Winter Leaks
To reduce the risk of leaks forming next winter, follow these preventative steps:
- Have your pool pressure tested before closing each fall
- Lower the water level to below the skimmers before freezing temperatures
- Use a high-quality winter cover to reduce stress on the liner
- Blow out and plug all lines properly before winterizing
- Monitor your water level monthly throughout the off-season
Routine maintenance and professional inspections can prevent the majority of winter leak issues. Pool Patcher® offers end-of-season testing packages designed to catch potential leaks before they worsen in freezing conditions.
When to Call Pool Patcher®
If you’re losing water during the winter and aren’t sure why, it’s time to call in the professionals. Pool Patcher® has over a decade of experience diagnosing complex leaks with precision tools and proven methods. We’ll identify whether your leak is structural, plumbing-related, or caused by environmental stress — and guide you on the best repair solution.
Don’t wait for spring to find out how bad the problem is. Acting now could prevent thousands in repairs later.
Contact the Leak Detection Experts
At Pool Patcher®, we’re proud to be New Jersey’s most trusted name in pool leak detection and pool leak repair. Our fully trademarked and federally registered brand represents the highest level of integrity and expertise in the industry. We guarantee every detection we perform and offer honest, transparent service to every homeowner we assist.
📞 Call us today at 732-705-7344 or visit our Contact Page to schedule your winter leak detection appointment.
Pool Patcher® — Registered U.S. Service Mark No. 7,996,795
Pool Patcher℠ — State of New Jersey Trademark & Service Mark Reg. No. 27462
Pool Patcher™ — Common Law Trademark and Service Mark Rights Established 2013
