How To Pressure Test Inground Pool Plumbing? (5 Easy Steps)


Are you looking for a way to pressure test your inground pool plumbing? Pressure testing is an important step in keeping your pool in top condition and making sure it is safe for use.

In this article, well walk you through the steps of how to pressure test your inground pool plumbing in just five easy steps.

Well explain how to shut off pool equipment, attach the pool pressure test gauge, fill the test gauge with water, slowly fill the pool with water, reach the manufacturers recommended pressure, disconnect the pressure test gauge, and identify and repair leaks.

With these simple steps, youll learn how to pressure test your pool plumbing like a pro!

Short Answer

Pressure testing inground pool plumbing is a necessary step when installing a new pool or making repairs.

To pressure test, you will need a pressure gauge, a pump, and a hose.

Start by connecting the pump to the hose and then to the pressure gauge.

Turn on the pump and adjust the pressure to the desired level.

Allow the pump to run until stable pressure is reached, then turn off the pump and check the pressure gauge.

If the pressure has held, then your inground pool plumbing is good.

Shutting Off Pool Equipment

Shutting off the pool pump and any other equipment attached to the pool is an important first step when pressure testing inground pool plumbing.

This will ensure that any pressure being applied to the pool plumbing is coming from the pressure test gauge, and not from the pump.

To do this, first turn off the breaker or switch powering the pump.

Then, turn off any valves or switches controlling additional equipment such as pool lights, waterfalls, and other features.

Once all of the equipment is shut off, you can move on to the next step.

Attaching Pool Pressure Test Gauge

Attaching a pool pressure test gauge is one of the most important steps in pressure testing inground pool plumbing.

Before proceeding, make sure to turn off the pool pump and any other equipment attached to the pool.

Shut off the valves to the pools main drain, skimmer, and other suction lines.

The next step is to attach the pool pressure test gauge to the pools return line.

The pressure test gauge should be securely fastened to the line, as any loose connections can lead to inaccurate readings.

Make sure there are no air bubbles in the connection between the gauge and the line, which can also lead to inaccurate readings.

Once the connection is secure, fill the test gauge with water.

Now, open the main drain valve and skimmer valve to allow water to slowly fill the pool.

As the water enters the pool, the pressure on the gauge will slowly increase.

Once the pressure on the gauge reaches the manufacturers recommended pressure, shut off the valves and disconnect the pressure test gauge.

If the pressure does not increase, it means there is a leak in the plumbing.

Identifying and repairing the leak is the next step.

Make sure to follow the manufacturers instructions when pressure testing inground pool plumbing and always use the correct tools and safety equipment.

Filling the Test Gauge with Water

When it comes to pressure testing inground pool plumbing, the third step is to fill the test gauge with water.

This is an important step to ensure the accuracy of the test results.

To do this, you will need to fill the test gauge with either a garden hose or a bucket filled with pool water.

If using a garden hose, make sure to attach the hose to the test gauge and turn the water on slowly.

This will help to avoid any sudden pressure changes and will ensure a more accurate reading.

Once the test gauge is full, you will then be ready to move on to the next step.

Slowly Filling the Pool with Water

When pressure testing inground pool plumbing, it is important to ensure the pool is filled with water slowly.

This is because the pressure of the pool water may cause any existing leaks in the plumbing to become more apparent.

To do this, start by turning off the pool pump and any other equipment attached to the pool, such as filters and heaters.

Then, shut off the valves to the pools main drain, skimmer, and other suction lines.

This will prevent water from being forced into the pipes at a high pressure.

Next, attach a pool pressure test gauge to the pools return line.

The gauge should be filled with water to a level that is about two inches below the gauge’s maximum reading.

Be sure to securely attach the gauge and ensure it is airtight.

Once the gauge is connected, open the main drain valve and skimmer valve to allow water to slowly fill the pool.

Monitor the pressure on the gauge and make sure it is increasing steadily.

The manufacturer’s instructions will usually specify the recommended pressure for the pool.

Once the pressure on the gauge reaches the suggested pressure, shut off the valves and disconnect the pressure test gauge.

If the pressure on the gauge does not increase, it means there is a leak in the plumbing.

Identifying and repairing the leak is the next step.

In some cases, the leak may be too small to be detected by the pressure test gauge.

In this case, you may need to use a dye test or other methods to detect the leak.

Reaching the Manufacturer’s Recommended Pressure

Once the valves to the pool’s main drain, skimmer, and other suction lines have been shut off and the pool pressure test gauge has been attached to the pool’s return line, it is time to fill the test gauge with water and open the main drain valve and skimmer valve to allow water to slowly fill the pool.

This will slowly increase the pressure on the test gauge until it reaches the manufacturer’s recommended pressure.

It is important to monitor the pressure on the gauge to ensure it does not get too high.

If the pressure exceeds the manufacturer’s recommended pressure, it is important to shut off the valves and disconnect the pressure test gauge to prevent any damage to the pool’s plumbing.

Once the pressure has reached the manufacturer’s recommended pressure, it is important to shut off the valves and disconnect the pressure test gauge to prevent any further pressure from building up.

If the pressure does not increase, it means there is a leak in the plumbing and the next step is to identify and repair the leak.

In order to pressure test inground pool plumbing effectively, it is important to make sure that the pressure test gauge is filled with water and the valves are opened to the recommended pressure.

Once the pressure has reached the manufacturer’s recommended pressure, it is important to shut off the valves and disconnect the pressure test gauge in order to prevent any further damage to the plumbing.

If the pressure does not increase, it means there is a leak in the plumbing and the next step is to identify and repair the leak.

Disconnecting the Pressure Test Gauge

Once the pressure on the gauge reaches the manufacturer’s recommended pressure, it is time to disconnect the pressure test gauge.

First, it is important to take note of the pressure reading before disconnecting the gauge.

This is to ensure that the pressure remains the same or slightly higher when the gauge is removed.

This will allow you to identify any potential leaks in the plumbing.

To disconnect the pressure test gauge, first shut off the valves to the pools main drain, skimmer, and other suction lines.

Then, loosen the nut on the gauge so that it can be removed from the return line.

Once the gauge is removed, replace the nut to ensure the connection remains secure.

Finally, turn off the pool pump and any other equipment attached to the pool.

It is important to note that the pressure test gauge should be checked regularly to ensure it is in good working condition.

If the gauge is not working properly, it could give inaccurate readings and lead to incorrect conclusions about the pool’s plumbing.

Additionally, if the pool pressure is too high, it can cause damage to the pool’s pipes and other components.

Therefore, it is a good idea to keep an eye on the pressure reading to ensure it does not exceed the manufacturer’s recommended pressure.

Identifying and Repairing Leaks

It is important to locate and repair any leaks present in the plumbing system of an inground pool.

If the pressure in the test gauge does not increase, this indicates that a leak is present in the pool’s plumbing.

To identify and repair the leak, it is first important to check the return line, skimmer line, and main drain line for any cracks or other damage.

If any damage is present, it is best to contact a professional to repair the line.

If the lines look undamaged, it is then necessary to check the pipes and connections for any leaks.

This can be done by filling the system with a pool-safe dye and then checking the entire piping system for any dye leaks.

If the dye shows a leak, the pipe or connection should be replaced or re-sealed.

Finally, if the pool has a separate backwash line, it is important to check this for leaks as well.

To do this, fill the backwash line with water and turn on the backwash valve.

If the line is leaking, the water will appear at the connection.

The connection should then be tightened or replaced to prevent further leakages.

Once the leaks have been identified and repaired, it is important to re-test the pool’s plumbing system using the pressure test gauge.

This ensures that all repairs have been successful and the pool is ready to be used.

Final Thoughts

Pressure testing inground pool plumbing is an important step when it comes to pool maintenance.

By following the steps outlined above, you can help identify and repair any leaks in your pool’s plumbing.

With the knowledge you’ve gained from this article, you can now confidently pressure test your pool’s plumbing and keep it in good working condition.

So start pressure testing now and keep your pool running smoothly!

James Lopez

James Lopez is a lifestyle journalist. In addition to working as a journalist, he also takes courses in landscape design. He is pretty focused on the outdoor space, especially the backyard.

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