WET SPOT IN YARD NEAR YOUR POOL? POSSIBLE UNDERGROUND LEAK
If you notice a wet or soggy area in your yard near your pool, especially when it hasn’t rained, it could be a sign of an underground pool plumbing leak.
This is one of the most common signs of a pressure-side or return line leak beneath the deck or yard.
WHY A WET SPOT CAN MEAN AN UNDERGROUND POOL LEAK
Pool plumbing runs underground from your equipment pad to the pool. When a return line or pressure-side pipe cracks, water escapes into the surrounding soil.
Because the system runs daily, even a small break can saturate the ground over time.
Common causes include:
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Cracked underground return line
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Pressure-side plumbing failure
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Broken fitting under deck or concrete
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Equipment pad plumbing leak running into soil
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Irrigation confusion (sometimes mistaken for sprinkler issues)
SIGNS THE WET AREA IS FROM A POOL LEAK
Look for these signs:
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Wet or soggy soil near the pool or deck
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Grass growing faster or greener in one area
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Soil sinking or soft spots forming
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Pool losing more than normal evaporation
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Wet area that persists even without rain
If the area gets wetter when the pump runs, that’s a strong clue.
QUICK CHECKS YOU CAN DO (BEFORE CALLING A PRO)
1) Pump ON vs Pump OFF test
Turn the pump off for 24 hours.
Then run it normally for 24 hours.
If the wet area worsens when the pump runs, the leak is likely plumbing-related.
2) Rule out irrigation
Make sure sprinklers are not hitting that area or creating runoff.
3) Check your water level
If the pool is also losing water daily, the wet soil and water loss are often connected.
👉 Related: Bucket Test Guide
WHY UNDERGROUND LEAKS SHOULDN’T BE IGNORED
Ignoring underground leaks can lead to:
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Soil erosion under deck or pavers
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Structural shifting
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Increased water bills
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Sinkhole risk in Florida soil conditions
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Larger, more expensive repairs later
The sooner it’s identified, the smaller the repair usually is.
HOW PROS CONFIRM AN UNDERGROUND POOL LEAK
To pinpoint the source, professionals may use:
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Pressure testing to isolate plumbing lines
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Listening equipment to detect underground water movement
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System isolation to determine return vs suction side
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Targeted inspection of deck/fitting areas
This prevents unnecessary deck demolition or guesswork.
WHEN TO SCHEDULE LEAK DETECTION
Schedule professional pool leak detection in Tampa if:
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You have a wet or soggy area near the pool
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The wet spot worsens when the pump runs
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Your pool is losing water daily
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You want to prevent structural damage
If you’re in Tampa and notice a wet spot near your pool, we can pinpoint the exact source quickly.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
CAN A WET SPOT IN MY YARD BE FROM A POOL LEAK?
Yes. Underground plumbing leaks often show up as soggy soil near the pool or deck.
DO I HAVE TO BREAK UP MY DECK TO FIND IT?
Not immediately. Testing can isolate the line first to avoid unnecessary demolition.
CAN SPRINKLERS CAUSE THIS?
Sometimes, yes. It’s important to rule out irrigation before assuming a plumbing leak.
IS THIS DANGEROUS FOR MY POOL STRUCTURE?
If ignored, yes. Long-term underground leaks can cause soil erosion and structural shifting.
CAN YOU CONFIRM THE EXACT LOCATION?
Yes. Proper testing can identify which line is leaking and narrow down the repair area.