Signs Your Pool Is Leaking Due to Concrete Settlement

Pool leaks are frustrating, but the cause isn’t always in the water itself. For many York-area homeowners, sinking concrete, shifting soil, and settling pool decks are the hidden reasons behind unexpected water loss. This blog explains the warning signs of pool leaks, how concrete settlement affects your pool structure and plumbing, how to tell the difference between evaporation and a real leak, and when it’s time to call a professional.

Why Concrete Settlement Causes Pool Leaks

Concrete settlement puts stress on the areas surrounding your pool, including the deck, skimmers, plumbing lines, and the pool shell. As soil shifts or compresses, the concrete around your pool begins to tilt, sink, or separate from the pool’s edges. These movements create gaps and cracks where water can escape.

Many homeowners first notice potential signs of pool leak after heavy rain or drought periods — times when soil expands or shrinks more than usual, causing the concrete to move.

The Most Common Signs Your Pool Is Leaking

Before looking specifically at structural issues, it helps to recognize the general symptoms of a pool losing water. Visible water loss, wet patches in the yard, algae growth, or rising water bills may all point to a problem. Homeowners often begin searching for pool leak signs when routine maintenance no longer explains why the water level keeps dropping.

Signs Your Pool Leak Is Caused by Concrete Settlement

When concrete settlement is the source, the symptoms look a little different. Look for gaps between the pool deck and coping, cracks radiating outward from the pool edge, or uneven deck slabs. These issues are red flags for a concrete pool leak because they indicate shifting pressure around the pool structure itself.

If you notice standing water near or beneath one section of your pool deck, that area may be settling faster, causing water to escape from the shell or plumbing.

How to Tell the Difference Between Evaporation and a Leak

Summer heat and wind naturally lower water levels. But true leaks cause faster and more noticeable drops. Many homeowners look up pool leak detection signs to learn how to distinguish normal evaporation from actual loss. One simple method is the “bucket test,” where you measure water drop inside a bucket placed on a pool step versus the pool itself.

If the pool’s water level decreases more than the bucket, that’s one way to evaluate how to tell if your pool is leaking beyond normal evaporation.

How Concrete Settlement Damages Pool Plumbing

The biggest problem with settlement is how it strains underground plumbing lines. When the soil sinks under one section of your deck or pool wall, the pipes can bend, crack, or disconnect. Many homeowners search for help with swimming pool leaks when they notice air bubbles returning through the jets, cloudy water, or unexplained pressure loss — all of which can indicate plumbing damage caused by shifting soil.

This type of leak often starts small but tends to get worse as the soil continues to move.

What a Leaking Concrete Pool Looks Like

A leaking concrete pool may show symptoms such as cracks in the shell, spalling, uneven surfaces, or moisture seeping through the walls. Settlement around the pool can create stress points, causing the shell to crack or separate at the skimmers. If the cracks run beneath the coping or follow the pool’s corners, settlement is usually the root cause.

Concrete Settlement Around the Pool: Early Warning Signs

Soil erosion, tree roots, poor drainage, and freeze–thaw cycles all contribute to concrete settlement around pool areas. One of the earliest warnings is tiny separation lines where the deck meets the pool wall. Over time, these become wider gaps that collect water or debris. If your deck feels uneven underfoot, or you hear hollow sounds when tapping certain areas, settlement has already begun affecting the structure.

Sinking Concrete Deck and Its Impact on the Pool

A sinking concrete pool deck does more than look uneven — it shifts weight and pressure toward parts of the pool not built to support it. This creates stress fractures and plumbing misalignment, leading to slow and sometimes hidden leaks. Homeowners who ignore deck sinking often face larger structural repairs later because the movement becomes more severe with each season.

How Professionals Diagnose Pool Leaks Caused by Settlement

Professional inspectors use a combination of pressure testing, dye tests, underground listening equipment, and leveling assessments to pinpoint the source of a leak. They examine whether the water is escaping through cracks, plumbing, or the skimmer connection. Experts also study settlement patterns to determine whether soil voids, erosion, or concrete shifting are contributing to the leak.

Here’s a quick overview of the diagnostic process:

Inspection Type	What It Identifies	Why It Matters
Pressure Testing	Plumbing line leaks	Isolates underground damage
Dye Testing	Shell cracks & gaps	Shows active water flow
Deck Level Survey	Sinking or tilted slabs	Confirms soil movement
Soil Evaluation	Voids or erosion	Determines long-term stability

Combined, these methods make it easier to determine the exact cause — and best repair solution.

Repair Options for Pool Leaks Caused by Concrete Settlement

Repair methods vary depending on the source of the leak. If settlement is causing the issue, solutions often include slab lifting, soil stabilization, structural crack repair, and plumbing line replacement. Polyurethane foam lifting is one of the most common approaches because it raises the deck and fills underlying soil voids with minimal disruption.

These repairs not only stop leaks but also prevent future settlement from damaging your pool again.

When to Call a Professional for Pool Leak Evaluation

If you notice multiple signs — water loss, deck sinking, gaps, cracks, or moisture on pool walls — it’s time to bring in an expert. Homeowners often delay calling because leaks appear minor at first, but concrete settlement rarely stops on its own. Early evaluation prevents long-term structural damage and reduces repair costs.

For local help, reach out to Lift It Pro — trusted specialists in concrete lifting and pool deck stabilization.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How quickly can settlement cause a pool leak? It depends on soil movement and water conditions, but even minor settlement can create cracks within a single season.

2. Can pool leaks get worse over time? Yes. Leaks can speed up soil erosion, causing more settlement and additional cracking.

3. Is a sinking pool deck dangerous? Yes. It creates trip hazards and increases pressure on pool walls and plumbing.

4. Can I test for a pool leak myself? Some basic tests help, but professional equipment finds leaks more accurately.

5. What causes soil settlement around pools? Rain erosion, poor drainage, tree roots, and freeze–thaw cycles are common sources.