| When the plumbing system of a swimming pool is | | | | In practice the process of pressure testing a pool is |
| leaking one of the first diagnostic tests that a | | | | much more complicated. Basic swimming pool |
| professional will perform is a pressure test. During this | | | | systems can involve as little as two or three pipes |
| process the plumbing lines of the pool are isolated | | | | however more robust pools can have thirty, forty or |
| and independently tested to determine their ability to | | | | fifty individual pipes that require testing. In addition to |
| hold pressure without leaking. Swimming pool plumbing | | | | being able to identify where each pipe goes, which |
| system pressure testing is only as accurate as the | | | | can be a difficult task in some situations, most pools |
| person performing the testing. | | | | have pipes that are very difficult to isolate and test. |
| A swimming pool will run between 5 and 30 PSI on | | | | Some pipes do not connect from the pump room to |
| average. Ideally the plumbing lines will be tested at a | | | | the pool making it very difficult to access both ends |
| level above the maximum operating pressures to | | | | of the pipe which is required in order to perform any |
| ensure that there is no leaks in the system. The | | | | accurate pressure testing. A prime example of this is |
| concern with this is that pressure testing any system | | | | the main drain at the bottom of the pool. Some pools |
| over a few PSI can be dangerous so many testers | | | | can not be emptied so a diver can be required in |
| prefer to test at lower pressures such as 5, 10 or 20 | | | | order to inspect and plug the main drain for testing. |
| PSI. In theory a plumbing leak will be apparent under | | | | Water features, hot tubs, return jets and stairs will |
| all pressurized situations but this is not always the | | | | sometimes have pipes which are difficult to pressure |
| case with elusive leaking problems. It is recommended | | | | test further complicating the process. |
| to test at a higher pressure that the normal | | | | A well versed professional will use a combination of |
| operating values of the plumbing system. | | | | plumbing system knowledge, testing and process of |
| The potential for danger exists with pressure testing | | | | elimination to identify the pool leak. More often than |
| so it should only be attempted by professionals or | | | | not the leak can be identified by examining closely |
| competent individuals using proper equipment and | | | | the characteristics of the leak itself. The more |
| safety techniques. In theory the process of isolating | | | | invasive pressure testing process is used to prove |
| each plumbing line is easy. Open one end of the pipe | | | | what is speculated by examining the leak |
| in the mechanical / pump room and plug the end in | | | | characteristics. The better that you understand your |
| the pool. You then induce either water or air that is | | | | pool plumbing system the more readily you will be |
| regulated with a valve and an known accurate | | | | able to find and repair the leak - with or without a |
| pressure gauge. | | | | pressure test. |