It’s a terrifying thought: the ground suddenly sinking below your feet. Sinkholes can vary from a few feet to a hundred acres across and less than 1 to more than 100 feet deep. While they can happen suddenly on the surface, it often occurs because water that has been steadily flowing dissolves the rock underneath the soil. This begs the question, can a pool leak cause a sinkhole? Yes, a pool leak can absolutely cause a sinkhole.

How Do Sinkholes Form?

The development of sinkholes can occur for a variety of reasons. The most frequent reason for instability in the ground above it is when a layer of soil becomes saturated with water, evaporates, and leaves behind an empty void. When this occurs on land, there may first appear to be nothing wrong, but if you're adjacent to one, all of a sudden, everything begins shaking! That's because, as long as the circumstances below are favorable—for example, recent rainwater erosion—they may expand swiftly, often within only 24 hours or less from becoming tiny cracks near the surface on their own without any warning indications.
 

What Harm Could a Water Leak Inflict?

A water leak may wreak havoc in various ways in addition to the serious damage caused by a sinkhole. As moisture accumulates in a confined area like your basement, there is an increased danger of mold or fungus. These fungi will eventually lead to structural issues that may require expensive further repairs. Your home's structural integrity may be harmed by water leaks. This results in damage to the wood frame of your home's walls, wooden decks, all of the joints in the ceiling, the rafters, the roofing, and much more. It's crucial to respond swiftly if you feel there may be water leaks nearby since failing to do so might result in more severe damage than just flooring being harmed.
 

How can a pool leak cause a sinkhole?

A sinkhole can occur whether you have an inground pool or an above-ground pool. A pool that is allowed to leak into the foundation underneath can lead to a very large, very dangerous sinkhole. In fact, leaking water is the main cause of a sinkhole. Sinkholes start developing a long time before they actually appear. That is why it’s so important to detect a water leak early on! Early detection of a water leak in your pool will save you loads of money, time, and most of all, headaches.

Related Topic: How To Find A Leak In A Pool

Both naturally-caused and man-made sinkholes are most common in areas with underground rock containing limestone, salt, or gypsum, which covers 40% of the United State’s bedrock. However, those many areas are buried at great depth. States that are most prone to sinkholes are Florida, Texas, Alabama, Missouri, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee.
 

What causes a pool to leak?

There are many reasons for leaks in swimming pools.
 

• Shifting ground
   
• Broken plumbing
   
• General wear & tear
   
• Loose fittings
   
• Pumps and motor problems

There are different risk factors for the different types of in-ground pools.
 

Vinyl Pools

Vinyl pools are pretty much a 100% guarantee to leak. Tears in the vinyl’s lining are the most common cause of a pool leak with this type of surface. Simply sharp objects hitting the side of the pool can cause a tear. Vinyl is easy to patch but must be treated immediately. Penetrations and seams (drains, lights, skimmers) in the linear are entirely underwater, causing more potential for leaks.
 

Fiberglass Pools

While fiberglass pools rarely leak, it can happen. This would be a result of a crack in the laminate. A fiberglass pool is a one-piece structure entirely made out of fiberglass materials. It’s structurally flexible, so it’s able to move and shift with the environment. It’s very thick and durable. Additionally, fiberglass pools have no seams. Holes are cut through the shell at the exact right size and are sealed with 100% silicone. This warrants a very low failure rate as well.
 

Concrete Pools

Concrete is not airtight, and leaks can happen when there is a structural crack. Cavities are created in the structure and sealed with plaster. Therefore, skimmers, lights, and drains are prone to leak.
 

What to do if you have a sinkhole

If you’ve found a sinkhole, follow these steps to resolve the issue safely.
 

• Keep away from the sinkhole! The structural integrity of the ground beneath your feet has given way. It’s especially important to keep children and pets away from the area.
   
• Fence off the area. Make sure everyone in the area is aware of the hole and the fence is visible in both daytime and nighttime.
   
• If you suspect the sinkhole is resulting from a leak in your pool, call a leak detection company. It’s vital to stop the leak as soon as possible to prevent further damage.
   
• Contact your insurance company. You may find that your insurance company covers both the inspection of the sinkhole as well as repair. However, you may find out they cover neither. This will help you budget for the right course of action.

After your professional leak detection company fixes the leak, the sinkhole should cease to grow. Simply fill the hole with dirt or sand, depending on the landscaping of your home. If your sinkhole is more serious and you’re experiencing damage to concrete, stone, or pavers, contact your insurance company.
 

Can A Pool Leak Cause A Sinkhole?

Yes, a pool leak can cause a sinkhole. However, this issue takes a long time to actually come to fruition and isn’t very likely. There are various ways you can detect a pool leak, including; a spike in your water bill, having to add more than 2 inches of water to your pool per week, and fluctuating chemical levels. If you suspect you have a leak, contact the Leak Science experts today! We are proud to service fast and efficiently.
 

Can a pool damage a foundation? 

The pool itself or maybe troubled subsurface plumbing could be the source of the leak. Depending on the amount of moisture in the soil, it will either expand or contract, which can cause the foundation of a house or pool to move, crack, or otherwise be harmed.
 

Can you fix a pool leak?

By patching up a pool leak yourself, you may save money on the repair. In a smaller pool or water feature, this works on vinyl or plaster. A professional service will generally be needed for larger pools. The costs to repair a leak range from $100 and higher.
 

When a pool leaks, where does the water go?

After the water has been through the filter, it is pumped back into the pool by a pressured piping system. Through the jet (or return) inlets, the filtered water enters the pool again. Return plumbing refers to the pipes that transport water from the filter back to the pool.
 

How much does it cost to repair a water leak underground?

Repairing an underground water leak: cost The price range for fixing subterranean water lists is $150 to $3,000. Simple, accessible repairs range from $150 to $700. Anything that involves replacing huge pipe sections or is difficult to access might cost up to $3,000.
 

Can water leaks occur underground?

Water leaks can sometimes go undetected until you receive your water bill in the mail since they are not always simple to find. One such form of leak that might go undetected and inflict serious harm on a house if ignored is an underground water leak.
 

How frequently should you fill your pool with water?

This will vary based on a number of variables, such as the weather, whether the pool is covered or not, the number of swimmers using it, and whether it is heated or not. A decent rule of thumb for covered pools is that they shouldn't need to be filled more frequently than once a year. If you have a pool leak, don't wait to contact Leak Science today!