Documentation is proof -- not paperwork. A 10-second video of dye being pulled into a skimmer seam is worth more than any verbal description.
Learn the H.U.N.T.E.R. Method →Pool leaks should be documented with a consistent photo sequence: wide shot for location context, medium shot of the component, close-up of the evidence or defect, and test in progress when applicable. Video is especially useful for dye movement and gauge readings. Jeff David uses a waterproof cell phone inside a soft waterproof sleeve and Akaso action cameras. Document areas that passed testing as well as areas with confirmed problems -- the inspection was systematic, and the record should show it.
Shows where in the pool the finding is located. Deep end, shallow end, skimmer wall, equipment pad, deck area.
Shows the specific component. The full skimmer, the light niche, the return fitting, the pressure test setup at the equipment pad.
Shows the evidence. Dye pulling into a crack, damaged fitting face, gauge reading, prior epoxy repair, void in plaster.
Video of dye movement, gauge dropping, pressure gauge holding. Shows the test, not just the result.
Primary: Waterproof cell phone inside a soft waterproof sleeve. Immediate file transfer. Already part of the daily workflow. Good for underwater photos when the pool is clear.
Action camera: Akaso action cameras -- less expensive than GoPro and hold up just as well under daily field conditions: constant on/off cycling, drops, heat, pool chemical exposure, temperature changes.
The camera does not make the diagnosis. The camera records the evidence. A clear 10-second video of dye being pulled into a seam is worth more to the homeowner -- and to the technician -- than any verbal description.
Keep videos short and steady -- 10 to 30 seconds of clear, controlled footage is more useful than a long, shaky clip. Move slowly. Let the dye do the work.
The field checklist at Leak and Subsurface Locators is explicit: photo documentation is required on every job, not just on jobs where a leak is found. Document areas that passed testing.
Photos and videos should be organized by job, not mixed together in an unsorted camera roll. A simple naming pattern saves time when a question comes up six months later.
Example pattern: Smith-2026-06-20-Skimmer-DyePull.mp4
Even if a report app handles the organization, the underlying files should be easy to find by customer name and date.
Document the pre-inspection condition -- what the pool looks like before any testing begins. If the homeowner mentions a prior repair, photograph it.
Wide shots of the pool, equipment pad, and suspected areas establish orientation. These are the context shots that make every close-up findable later.
Medium shots of each component being tested show the inspection was systematic -- not random.
Video of dye movement and gauge behavior is the most valuable documentation category. These are dynamic tests -- still photos cannot show them.
Close-up of the confirmed defect before any repair begins. This is the before-state that makes the after-state meaningful.
Photo or video of the repair area and, when possible, post-repair verification testing. The record is not complete until the job is.
What camera does Jeff David use for pool leak documentation?
Jeff uses a waterproof cell phone inside a soft waterproof sleeve for underwater photos, and Akaso action cameras for field work. Akaso cameras are less expensive than GoPro and hold up well under daily field conditions including drops, heat, and constant use.
Should every finding be documented on video?
Not every finding requires video, but dynamic tests -- dye movement, gauge readings, active water movement -- are much better shown on video than in still photos. A 10-second clip showing dye being pulled into a fitting is the clearest possible evidence.
Should passing areas be documented?
Yes. Important areas such as pressure-tested lines, lights, skimmers, and suspect zones should be photographed even when no leak is found. This shows the inspection was systematic and protects the technician if questions arise later.
Should photos be included in the written report?
Yes. Photos should be referenced in the report by finding, so the customer can connect the image to the written description. The LBA free report app at full-leak-report.netlify.app supports photo attachment and organization by finding.
Jeff David is the founder of Leak Business Academy, LLC and Leak and Subsurface Locators, LLC. He is a licensed pool contractor in Florida and an FSPA Palm Beach board member. Photo documentation is Phase 1 training at Leak and Subsurface Locators -- a foundational skill, not an afterthought. The four-shot sequence on this page is the standard used on every job.
The free LBA pool leak detection report app handles photo references alongside written findings. Build it on-site. Leave with a complete record.
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