Pool and spa leak detection — find where the water is going, then fix that

This is Palatial Pools' Melbourne pool and spa leak specialist page — not a suburb service template. From the Abbotsford shop we pressure-test lines, dive fittings, and isolate shared spa/pool circuits so you are not paying for a dig on a guess.

Do not empty the pool. Keep the skimmer covered so the pump does not run dry. Tell us how much the level drops each day and whether spa and pool share the plant.

Process

We mark the waterline, check the plant pad first, isolate and pressure-test suction and return circuits, dive and dye fittings while the pool stays full, then plan the repair with evidence — not a dig on a guess.

1. Record the loss — marks, weather, pump on/off
2. Check the plant — lids, unions, multiport, filter, heater, chlorinator
3. Pressure-test lines — pool and spa treated as connected when they share plumbing
4. Dive and dye — skimmer, lights, returns, hydrostatic valve
5. Plan the fix — pad repair, fitting patch, planned dig, or further inspection

Cost

Locating and repairing are separate jobs. Routine service is $150/mo or $160 single visit; inspections are published at $195–$995. Leak detection is a dedicated investigate visit — we quote the locate when you book, and repair after the fault path is proven. Buried pipe and concrete access sit in a different band from accessible pad seals. No fake “from $X dig” numbers on this page.

• Locate visit — plant check, isolation, pressure test, in-water checks as needed
• Accessible repairs — pad seals, unions, skimmer fittings, above-ground pipe
• Buried pipe / concrete — quoted after the open circuit is proven
• Spa and shared hydraulics — extra isolate time before any dig

Timeline

Same-day locate is typical for Melbourne residential jobs. Accessible pad fixes often complete on the same visit. Underground pipe and structural work get a planned second booking after you approve the repair plan. Structural or shell issues may need staged drying or further inspection depending on what the dive and level log show.

Repair options

• Pad and equipment seals — pump seals, lid O-rings, unions, multiport, filter housings
• Fittings and penetrations — skimmer throat, lights, returns, hydrostatic valve
• Suction and return pipe repairs with measured access — smallest practical dig
• Temporary isolation on shared spa circuits where safe while you decide on a full repair

Leak FAQs

• Leak or evaporation? Mark the waterline daily; a bucket test is triage, not a locate.
• Empty the pool? No — we dive while it is full. Keep the skimmer covered.
• Spa leaks? Shared plumbing is isolated and pressure-tested as one system.
• Same-day fix? Accessible pad leaks often yes; buried lines need a planned repair.
• Leave the pump on? Only if water stays above the skimmer.
• Underground pipes? Yes — locate the open circuit, then open access where the test points.

Case notes

Field photography on the live page comes from the public Palatial gallery already in the repo — exposed pipe risers, plant plumbing, manifolds and surround pooling context. No AI invent, no named client addresses.

Related

Losing-water guide · Pool inspections · Pool plumbing · Pool diagnostics · Book service · All services