A pool leak detection report is a written record of the inspection, testing, findings, limitations, photos, and recommendations from a pool leak investigation. It explains what was inspected, what tests were performed, what was found, what could not be verified, and what should happen next.
A professional report protects the customer, the technician, and the business -- and helps repair contractors understand exactly what was confirmed before any repair begins.
A Report Is Different From an Invoice
Many pool service companies confuse billing records with documentation. They are not the same thing.
"Leak detection service performed. $250.00."
Inspection areas, tests performed, pressure test readings, dye test results, photos, confirmed findings, limitations, and repair recommendations -- clearly explained so the customer and repair contractor can act on it.
If there is a disagreement later about what was inspected, what was found, or what the technician recommended -- the report is the only record that exists. Without a detailed report, the technician has no protection and the customer has no clarity.
Standard Sections of a Professional Pool Leak Detection Report
What Each Section Should Include
The report should document the reason the customer called. Examples: pool losing water, autofill running constantly, water level dropping below skimmer, air in pump basket, wet area near pool, failed previous repair, real estate inspection concern.
Customer history matters because it explains why certain areas were inspected and why certain tests were performed. It also helps repair contractors understand the full context of the job.
Document every area inspected -- not just the areas where leaks were found. This includes areas that were inspected and cleared.
- Pool shell and structural surfaces
- Skimmers -- number, location, findings
- Return fittings
- Main drains
- Lights and niches
- Tile line
- Spa, water features
- Equipment pad
- Plumbing lines tested
- Deck and surrounding areas
If an area was not accessible, the report must say so -- and why.
Document every test performed with specific results -- not vague summaries.
For dye testing: document each location tested, whether dye movement was observed, and how the result was interpreted. For acoustic or trace gas testing: document locations scanned, readings noted, and how results informed the findings.
Photos are one of the most valuable parts of any leak detection report. They remove ambiguity and help repair contractors understand exactly what was found and where.
- Confirmed leak locations
- Pressure gauge readings
- Dye testing areas and results
- Equipment leaks or deficiencies
- Cracks, separations, or visible damage
- Skimmer, light, or fitting defects
- Repair areas from previous work
- Areas not accessible during inspection
A single clear photo can prevent an expensive misunderstanding later.
The findings section must be direct and specific. It should answer clearly:
- Was a leak confirmed?
- Where exactly was it found?
- What evidence supports the finding?
- Were multiple leaks found?
- Were any areas tested and ruled out?
- Is additional testing needed?
A report should never say "pool may have a leak somewhere." It should say what the evidence supports -- specifically. Vague findings create confusion, erode trust, and fail to help the customer or repair contractor take the correct next step.
Every professional leak detection report should include honest limitations. This is not about avoiding responsibility -- it is about being accurate about what the inspection covered and what it could not cover.
- Inspection was visual and non-invasive unless stated
- Underground conditions may not be fully visible
- Some areas were inaccessible -- state which ones and why
- Water clarity may have limited inspection
- Additional leaks may exist beyond those identified
- Pressure testing was limited to specific lines tested
Recommendations must be based on confirmed findings -- not guesswork. They give the customer and repair contractor a clear next step.
- Repair confirmed skimmer leak
- Seal light conduit at niche
- Repair return fitting at shell interface
- Excavate at confirmed pipe leak location
- Replace hydrostatic valve
- Perform additional pressure testing on remaining circuits
- Monitor water loss after repair
- Refer electrical work to a qualified professional
Recommendations should be specific enough that a repair contractor who was not present can understand exactly what was found and what needs to be done.
Common Reporting Mistakes
How the Report Reflects the H.U.N.T.E.R. Method™
A professional leak detection report should document every stage of the H.U.N.T.E.R. Method -- showing the customer that the technician followed a systematic process, not a gut feeling.
LBA Resources for Professional Reporting
Jeff David's Perspective
The report is the last step in every job -- and one of the most neglected. I have seen technicians do excellent diagnostic work and then hand the customer a vague invoice that says nothing. The customer has no idea what was tested, what was found, or what to tell the repair contractor.
A professional report does two things. It communicates clearly to the customer. And it protects the technician if something comes up later. "We tested the main drain line at X PSI for 15 minutes -- it held pressure" is documentation. "We checked the drain" is not.
Professional leak detection does not end when the leak is found. It ends when the customer understands what was found and knows exactly what to do next.
-- Jeff David, Founder | Leak Business Academy, LLC | Leak and Subsurface Locators, LLC
A Report Is the Last Step -- and One of the Most Important
A pool leak detection report is the written record of the leak investigation. It should include the customer complaint, inspection scope, areas inspected, tests performed with specific readings, photos, findings, limitations, and repair recommendations.
A professional report does more than confirm a leak was found. It explains how the conclusion was reached, what evidence supports it, and what the correct next step is -- for the customer, for the repair contractor, and for the record.
Get the Professional Report Template
Leak Business Academy, LLC provides a professional pool leak detection report template used in the field by Leak and Subsurface Locators, LLC -- covering every section outlined on this page.