Documentation & Reporting  |  Q128

What Should a Pool Leak Detection Report Include?

The report tells three people what happened: the homeowner who paid for it, the repair crew who needs to find the problem, and the technician who may need to defend the scope months later.

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Direct Answer

A pool leak detection report should include who performed the inspection, where and when, why the inspection was requested, the water loss history the customer reported, what was tested, what was found by area, pressure test results when applicable, photos and videos, confirmed findings, suspected findings, areas with no leak observed, areas that were inaccessible or not tested, recommendations tied to the evidence, and limitations. The report must be completed on-site with the homeowner present before the technician leaves.

The 12 Required Sections

Section 1

Job and Property Information

Customer name, property address, inspection date, technician name, company information, and license number where applicable.

Section 2

Reason for Inspection

Why the customer called. Examples: pool losing water, water level drops below skimmer, suspected underground plumbing leak, wet area in yard, previous repair not holding, pool loses more water with pump running.

Section 3

Water Loss History

What the customer reported: approximate daily loss, how long it has been happening, whether the pool has an autofill, whether the autofill was disabled for testing, bucket test results if done, whether the pool loses more water with pump on or off.

This information is what shaped the inspection -- document it to show your reasoning.

Section 4

Pool and Equipment Overview

Pool type, spa, water features, skimmers, returns, lights, equipment condition, visible leaks at equipment, prior repairs, unusual plumbing layout.

Section 5

Scope of Inspection

What was included and what was not -- this is the most legally protective section of the report. State specifically what was inspected and what was excluded or inaccessible.

Section 6

Test Methods Used

Only list methods actually performed. Do not imply testing that was not done.

Section 7 -- Critical

Pressure Test Log

When pressure testing was performed, record every test.

Pressure Test Log -- Required Fields
Line TestedStart PSIEnd PSIDurationResultLimitations
Skimmer line_________ minHeld / DroppedNone / Note
Return line_________ minHeld / DroppedNone / Note
Main drain_________ minHeld / DroppedNone / Note
Section 8

Findings by Area

Shell, skimmer, returns, lights, main drain, tile line, equipment, suction plumbing, return plumbing, spa, water features, deck. Each area gets one of four labels: Confirmed / Suspected / No Leak Observed / Inaccessible.

Section 9

Photos and Videos

Referenced within findings. Wide shot (location context), medium shot (component), close-up (evidence). Video for dye movement and gauge readings. Document areas that passed as well as areas that failed.

Section 10

Inaccessible or Not Tested Areas

Every area that could not be safely accessed or tested, with the reason. Examples: main drain cover could not be safely removed, light fixture could not be removed, water feature not operational, blocked by landscaping or structure.

Section 11

Recommendations

Specific, tied to confirmed evidence. "Repair confirmed skimmer seam leak." "Perform further pipe locating before deck removal." "Monitor water level after repair." Do not recommend demolition without confirmed evidence supporting it.

Section 12

Limitations and Disclaimer

The inspection was limited to conditions observed and tests performed on this date. Hidden, buried, blocked, or inaccessible areas were not evaluated. No guarantee exists about conditions not observable during a non-invasive inspection.

Free Report Tool From LBA

The LBA report app at full-leak-report.netlify.app builds all 12 sections on-site. Complete the report before leaving the property -- homeowner present.

Common Mistakes

The H.U.N.T.E.R. Method -- Reflected in the Report Structure

H
Hear

Water loss history section -- what the customer told you. This is the starting point for the entire report and inspection logic.

U
Understand

Pool and equipment overview -- what the system looks like, prior repairs, unusual plumbing. Shows the technician understood what they were working with.

N
Narrow

Scope of inspection -- how the technician narrowed the likely sources based on the water loss pattern and visual findings.

T
Test

Test methods and pressure test log -- the factual record of what was performed. The most important section for legal protection.

E
Expose

Findings by area with photos and evidence-based wording -- what was found, by what test, at what location.

R
Recommend

Recommendations tied to confirmed findings, limitations clearly stated, completed on-site before the technician leaves the property.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does every pool leak report need pressure test results?

Only if pressure testing was performed. If plumbing was suspected but not tested, the report should state that and explain why -- not leave a gap that implies no plumbing concern existed.

Should a report include areas where no leak was observed?

Yes. Documenting important areas that tested normal shows the inspection was systematic and protects against later claims that an area was overlooked.

Should repair prices be included in the diagnostic report?

Repair pricing can be attached separately. The diagnostic report itself should stay focused on factual findings and recommendations. Blurring the two creates confusion about what was confirmed vs. what is being sold.

Should the homeowner receive a copy?

Yes. The homeowner should walk away with a clear written record of the inspection and findings before the technician leaves the property.

About Jeff David

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.

The 12-section report structure on this page reflects the actual field documentation standard at Leak and Subsurface Locators. Use the free LBA report app at full-leak-report.netlify.app to build it on-site, every job.

Build Every Report On-Site -- Free LBA Report App

The free LBA pool leak detection report app covers all 12 sections. No account required. Complete it before leaving the property.

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