David Watson

Pool and Spa Leak Investigation is a practical field guide for trained pool and spa professionals who want a safer, clearer, and more reliable method for diagnosing water loss. Instead of relying on risky compressed-air pressure tests, guesswork, or outdated techniques that create false positives, this book provides a complete, evidence-based approach using water-only pressure testing, evaporation tests, dye checks, and structured observation.
Drawing on four decades of hands-on experience across seven countries, David Watson presents straightforward procedures that technicians can use on site without specialised equipment. Each method is designed for accuracy, repeatability, and safety - helping technicians avoid misdiagnosis, wasted labour, unnecessary excavation, and dangerous testing practices. Inside, you'll learn: How to distinguish true leaks from evaporation, bather load, wind, autofill faults, and backwash bypass How to perform accurate, stabilised water-only pressure tests - including step-by-step setup, safe bleeding, interpretation, and temperature correction How to identify common failure points across standard pools, spas, infinity edges, commercial systems, and balance tanks How to use low-risk tests first, escalating only when needed How to avoid false fails caused by trapped air, shared hydraulics, poor isolation, or site conditions How to document results clearly using included test sheets and pressure-test certificate frameworks How to communicate findings confidently to clients This guide is not theory or classroom material - it is a compact professional reference built for technicians, supervisors, inspectors, and aquatic operators who value accuracy, safety, and defensible results.
Whether you diagnose leaks weekly or occasionally, this book gives you methods you can use immediately in the field. If you want a practical, safe, and industry-aligned leak-investigation process that cuts through noise and delivers real answers, this is the handbook to keep in your work vehicle, plant room, or toolbox.