Leak Detection vs Equipment Repair vs Pool Service: Who to Call for What

Quick Takeaways

• Pool service: cleaning, chemistry, filters, and basic eyes-on-the-pool.
• Leak detection: finding and confirming where water is escaping from the system.
• Equipment repair: fixing or replumbing pumps, filters, heaters, and valves at the pad.
• Many “pool guys” do one of those things really well — not all three.
• The smart move is matching your symptoms to the right pro so you’re not paying someone just to say “that’s not my part.”

What Each Type of Pro Actually Does

Pool Service / Cleaner

• Vacuuming, brushing, skimming leaves.
• Testing and balancing chemistry.
• Basic filter cleans (cartridges, backwash, etc.).
• Keeping an eye on obvious issues and giving you heads-ups.

They are the “weekly caretaker,” not a full-time leak or equipment specialist.

Leak Detection Specialist

• Pressure-testing lines, listening for leaks, and using specialized tools.
• Dye tests around fittings, skimmers, lights, and cracks.
• Finding where water is escaping from the pool system.
• Some will also perform the repair; some only find and mark it.

Equipment Repair Tech

• Diagnosing pump, filter, heater, and valve issues at the pad.
• Replumbing cooked unions and lines in and out of the pump.
• Swapping out bad pumps, motors, heaters, and filters.
• Optimizing how the equipment pad is laid out and plumbed.

Some companies combine leak detection and equipment repair under one roof. Many do not. That’s why it helps to know which hat someone is actually wearing when they show up.

Common Scenarios and Who to Call First

Scenario 1: Water Always Low, Skimmer Gurgling, Pump Sucking Air

• Likely issue: Real leak in the pool system that’s also starting to cook the equipment plumbing.
• Who to call first: Leak detection specialist.
• Then: Equipment repair tech to clean up any damage at the pad.

For a deep dive on this pattern, see:
Pump Sucking Air? Why That Little Leak at the Pump Points to a Bigger Problem

Scenario 2: Big Drip at the Pump Union, Motor Sounds Fine

• Likely issue: Cooked or warped fittings at the pump from running with air.
• Who to call first: Leak detection if you suspect ongoing water loss, otherwise an equipment repair tech.
• DIY option: If the leak is simple and air issues are solved, consider a DIY union repair.

DIY guide:
DIY: How to Fix Leaks at Your Pump Unions (Step-by-Step)

Scenario 3: No Obvious Water Loss, Pump Dead or Screaming

• Likely issue: Failed pump motor, bearings, or housing.
• Who to call first: Equipment repair tech or pool equipment company.
• Then: Your pool service company to dial in runtime and operation of the new pump.

For help deciding between a new pump vs simple replumb, see:
Do You Really Need a New Pump or Just a Replumb?

Scenario 4: Green Pool, Cloudy Water, No Obvious Leaks

• Likely issue: Chemistry, filtration, or run-time problems.
• Who to call first: Pool service / cleaner.
• Then: Leak detection only if water loss turns out to be abnormal.

Common Mistakes That Waste Money

• Calling a leak company when it’s clearly a dead pump.
  You’ll pay a leak specialist just to tell you it’s an equipment issue.
• Paying to replumb the pump before dealing with a leak.
  If the pool is still leaking and running low, you can cook the new plumbing.
  Why You Shouldn’t Replumb the Pump Until the Leak Is Fixed
• Expecting a pool cleaner to be a full leak and equipment specialist.
  They can spot clues and guide you, but that’s not always their lane.
• Assuming every wet spot near the pad is “a leak in the equipment.”
  Sometimes the equipment leak is a symptom of a deeper leak story.

How PoolLeakFix Fits In

PoolLeakFix is designed to be the “smart directory” for leak-related problems:

• We help you diagnose the situation in plain English.
• We explain when equipment symptoms are actually leak clues.
• We then help you connect with the right type of pro for your specific case.

Our goal is to keep you from bouncing between company types and paying multiple “trip fees” just to land on the right person.