Everything you wanted
to know about pool leaks.

We use a layered approach: pressure-testing the plumbing line by line, electronic listening equipment on suspected lines, dye testing inside the shell, and structural inspection of skimmers, returns, lights, and main drains. Most homeowners never need to drain the pool — we isolate the leak with the water in place wherever possible.

Common signs: needing to top up more than ¼ inch per day, wet or soft ground around the pool deck, persistent algae despite proper chemistry, air bubbles returning through the jets, cracked tile or grout, or a heater that short-cycles. If you're losing more than 2 inches a week and it's not just evaporation, call us.

A standard residential detection runs 1.5 to 3 hours on site. Larger pools, vanishing edges, or pools with multiple suspected leaks can take a full day. We'll give you a realistic time window when we book.

Detection fees vary by pool size, complexity, and access. Call (236) 625-2258 for a quote — most residential leak detections in Greater Vancouver fall within a predictable range, and we quote up front so there are no surprises. The detection fee is separate from any repair work that follows.

Yes — all three. The detection methods differ slightly (vinyl liners often involve dye work along seams and fittings; concrete pools may need pressure-testing of the plumbing; fiberglass shells are scanned for hairline cracks at stress points), but the diagnostic principles are the same.

Usually no. Most plumbing-line leaks, skimmer cracks, light-niche leaks, and fitting failures can be repaired with the pool full. Draining is a last resort — typically only when major shell work is required.

Simple fittings or skimmer-throat repairs are often same-day. Plumbing-line repairs depend on access — a no-dig Pipepoxy reline can be completed in 1–2 days; traditional excavation runs 2–5 days. We give you a clear timeline before any work starts.

Pipepoxy is an epoxy lining technology that re-coats the inside of a damaged pool pipe without digging up your deck or yard. We pull a flexible epoxy sleeve through the existing pipe, cure it, and the line is good for decades. Saves the landscaping, saves you money, and dramatically shortens the repair window.

Yes. Workmanship is warranted, and many of the materials we use carry their own manufacturer warranties (Pipepoxy in particular has a long-life warranty on the cured liner). We'll walk you through what's covered before work begins.

Greater Vancouver and the Lower Mainland: Vancouver, West Vancouver, North Vancouver, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Port Moody, Port Coquitlam, Richmond, Surrey, Delta, Tsawwassen, and White Rock. If you're just outside this area, call us — we sometimes travel further for the right project.

For our core service area there's no separate travel charge — it's built into the standard service rate. For locations beyond Greater Vancouver we'll discuss any additional travel cost up front before booking.

Most leak detection calls are scheduled within 24–48 hours. Same-day service is sometimes available depending on the season and current bookings — call (236) 625-2258 to check today's availability.

The fastest way is to call (236) 625-2258. You can also email russell@blacktiepools.ca or use the contact form on this site — we typically reply within a few hours during business days.

For repairs identified during a paid detection visit, yes — the repair quote is free and you decide whether to proceed. The leak detection itself is a paid diagnostic service because it requires specialized equipment and time on site.

E-transfer, credit card, and cheque. Larger projects are typically split into a deposit and a balance on completion — we walk you through the schedule before work begins, so there's no surprise.

Yes. We work on residential and commercial pools, spas, and hot tubs across Greater Vancouver. Tell us a bit about the property and water-loss pattern when you reach out and we'll confirm fit on the call.

Three things: we specialize in leak detection and repair (it's not a side service), we use no-dig Pipepoxy where it makes sense to save your landscaping, and we communicate clearly through every step — diagnosis, options, pricing, and timeline. Family-owned, fully insured, with a decade-plus serving the Lower Mainland.

Yes — fully insured for residential and commercial pool work in British Columbia. Proof of insurance is available on request before any project starts.

We prefer repair over replacement, no-dig over excavation, and longer-lived materials over quick fixes. That's easier on your property, your budget, and the local environment — pool repair generates a surprising amount of waste when done the wrong way.