Documentation is proof -- not paperwork. A camera that captures clear dye movement, fitting conditions, and inspection findings protects the technician and supports the repair recommendation.
Learn the H.U.N.T.E.R. Method →The best underwater camera for pool leak detection is the one that reliably captures clear evidence under real field conditions. Jeff David uses his 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 just as well under the harsh daily conditions of pool leak detection -- constant on/off cycling, drops, heat, and temperature changes. A GoPro or other expensive camera is not required.
Primary: Waterproof cell phone inside a soft waterproof sleeve. The sleeve adds a second layer of protection for underwater photos. The phone handles most documentation needs and transfers files immediately.
Action camera: Akaso action cameras. Less expensive than GoPro, last just as long under the punishing daily conditions of pool leak detection work -- turning on and off all day, being dropped, heat, temperature swings, pool chemicals. A durable workhorse that does not require replacing every season.
The camera needs to capture clear evidence, not win awards. If the documentation shows what was inspected and why a recommendation was made, it is doing its job.
A camera in pool leak detection exists to create proof. Photos and video of an active dye pull at a return fitting, a crack in the shell at the suspected water-level elevation, or a deteriorated skimmer seam are the difference between a professional report and a verbal claim.
Documentation protects the technician. It shows the customer exactly what was found and why a repair was recommended. If a repair recommendation is ever questioned, the photos and video are the record. If the same defect reappears, the before-and-after documentation shows the condition at the time of the original inspection.
Jeff's primary setup. A waterproof phone rated for underwater use, inside a soft waterproof sleeve for added protection. Most current-generation smartphones photograph well in shallow pool depths. File transfer is immediate.
Jeff's field camera recommendation. Affordable, durable, handles the real-world abuse of daily pool leak detection work. No need to baby it. Performs comparably to more expensive options for inspection documentation.
Works well and produces excellent image quality. More expensive than Akaso and not required. If you already own one, it works for this application. It is not a required upgrade over an Akaso for documentation purposes.
DJI, Insta360, and similar options can work. Price does not automatically equal better documentation for pool leak detection. Reliability, ease of use, and file organization matter more than advanced features.
Document the pre-inspection condition -- what the customer reported and what the pool looks like before any testing begins.
Wide shots of the pool, equipment pad, and suspected areas establish orientation. Document what you are working with before any test begins.
Close-up photos of suspected defects -- cracks, fitting faces, conduit openings, seam separations -- document why each area was selected for testing.
Video of dye movement is the most valuable documentation in pool leak detection. A 10-second clip of active dye pull is proof that no verbal description can match.
The confirmed source is documented with close-up photos or video before any repair begins. This is the before state in the before-and-after record.
Final documentation after the job shows the repair area, the condition, and the before-and-after comparison. This goes into the customer report.
Why does Jeff David use Akaso cameras?
Akaso action cameras are less expensive than GoPro and hold up just as well under the harsh daily conditions of pool leak detection -- constant on/off cycling, drops, heat, pool chemical exposure, and temperature changes. They are a practical field tool that does the job without the premium price.
Can I use my cell phone underwater?
A waterproof cell phone can be used with a soft waterproof sleeve for added protection. Jeff uses this setup as his primary documentation tool. No underwater setup is completely risk-free -- always check your phone's rated waterproof depth and add sleeve protection.
Is a GoPro required for pool leak detection?
No. A GoPro works well but is not required. An Akaso action camera or a protected waterproof cell phone can capture the documentation needed for professional pool leak detection reports.
What matters most in a pool leak detection camera?
Clear close-up image quality, durability under field conditions, ease of file transfer and organization, and the ability to capture slow steady video of dye movement. Expensive features matter less than a reliable, simple workflow.
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. Jeff uses a waterproof cell phone in a soft sleeve and Akaso action cameras in the field daily -- because documentation is proof, and the tool that holds up under real field conditions is the right tool for the job.
LBA training covers what to document, when to document it, and how documentation protects the technician and supports every repair recommendation.
View Training Resources Download Free Equipment Guide