You can take many actions to fix your underground pool line breakage if you believe you have a leak. It isn’t particularly straightforward to replace a damaged subterranean water pipe, but it is achievable. For starters, you must comprehend the components that will turn those guesses into facts.

How can you determine if you have a line break in your underground pool?
There are a few warning indicators to look for around your pool that might suggest a pool line break. They include:
- If there are cracks in your concrete floor
- If your floor becomes warm and moist all of a sudden, you may have a hot water leak.
- If there is a reduction in water pressure when you turn your taps on.
- A wet place in the yard that doesn’t seem to dry, usually surrounding your pool
- If there is mold, mildew or green algae development along your floorboards and lower parts of the pool walls
ABS pool pipe repair pros
All of these indicators can point to the possibility of a leak. ABS pipes are commonly used in swimming pools because they are excellent, flexible, and resistant to high heat and pressure. When the ABS pipe leaks, it’s generally due to a poorly bonded junction or the pipe being subjected to an external force.
ABS pipe leaks generally require immediate attention owing to the inlets and outputs they handle. So, what steps can you take to fix an underground ABS pool that has broken?
- Before you carry out an ABS pool pipe repair, identify which plumbing fixtures are served by the ABS pipe you’ll be replacing, and ensure no one is using them while you’re working.
- Determine the source of the leak and devise a strategy. If the leak is coming from a fitting, the fitting may need to be reinstalled or replaced. If it’s coming from a section of an ABS pipe, you’ll have to cut it out and replace it.
- Re-glue a loose joint that has been pulled apart. Plumbers frequently dry-fit ABS pipes and then neglect to glue them since waste lines aren’t pressured. Clean each side of the connection with a cloth, then use a paintbrush that comes along with the bottle to distribute an even coating of ABS glue on both sides and slot together the joints. It takes around 20 seconds for the adhesive to dry.
- If a fitting has a crack or is leaking water, it should be replaced. You’ll have to cut the fitting out of the line to replace it.
- With a hacksaw, cut through the pipes on each side of the fitting approximately 1 or 2 feet away. With a tape measure, measure the distance between each of the cut-off pipes and the position of the fitting, then cut fresh lengths of ABS pipe to those specifications.
- Using 120-grit sandpaper, deburr the pipe’s end. Apply ABS cement inside the coupling and the tip of the pipe, then force the coupling onto the pipe, ensuring that at least 1/2 inch of pipe is within the fitting. Swirl it to properly distribute the glue. Glue the replacement pipes to the couplings, then link them at the damaged fitting’s position by attaching them to an identical pipe.
- Repair the pipe that is leaking by cutting the hacksaw part that is damaged. Glue couplings to each end of the remaining pipes, then measure the distance between them and cut a length of new pipe to that length. Use ABS cement to adhere it to the connections.



ABS pipe leak detection
The early detection of a leak helps to avoid future damage as well as additional costs. If you are unsure about completing the repair by yourself, always seek expert assistance with your underground pool line break.

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Michael Stone
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Kyle Porterfield
Great pool and spa leak detection company in San Diego. We’ve worked with them multiple times on different jobs. Very thorough , locates the leak every time and then willing to come back if needed to make sure it’s gone or their isn’t another leak.
Mike O'Neal
Jeremey came by today as promised and in a very professional manner not only assessed our solar heating issue but fixed it quickly. Extremely knowledgeable and responsive to questions providing an explanation that was easily understood. Highly recommended.
Joe Ney
We just had a new pool heater and filter installed by swim care, and I'm pleased to say we are more than satisfied with the equipment and the installation provided by this company. In addition, their customer service is second to none I would highly recommend this company to... Read more
Charles Yang
We had an underground leak in the pool return line for about 2 years. If left running, water leaked at about 4 inches a day. We had to use only the spa return when running the pump. It is impossible to get anyone in the San Diego area to want to fix this. Everyone else seems... Read more
A Google User
Jeremy was very confident that he could find my leak. I had my doubts. It took him several hours but he found it! I was very impressed. Leak repair is scheduled for a week later. Reasonably priced.
Bernadette Wu
Great company. Called Jeremy 8 am on a Friday needing a new pool heater for a party in two days. By 1 pm a crew came and installed a brand new heater for me. Ended up getting a new pool company to service my pool weekly. Thank you, Jeremy, for pulling through for me!
Sandi Rouse
The employees were prompt and friendly. The leak was fixed and there were no surprises (the price they quoted was the price they charged). :)
Wayne Porter
We're are a general contractor in the San Diego area and have used Swim Care Pool Services on a couple of our downtown projects. We plan to use them for all of our work going forward. They are extremely professional and are very thorough. Their staff is very very knowledgeable... Read more
Barbara Whitman
Swim Care Pool Services were fantastic with detecting the leak in our pool--not an easy feat! The tech was marvelous and explained each step in the process. Had I not experienced this leak, I probably would never had known how difficult it is to find a leak in a pool/pool... Read more
Jimmy B.
Great company to work with on my pool leak in the structural shell. They came out and located the leak and rechecked the work on pool construction repair when finished to make sure it was not leaking. Thanks guys.
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Great knowledgable service. They were on time and they came out in the rain to fix the problem with my pool. They had it up and running in less than an hour. Very professional and friendly! I highly recommend them!
Encinitas, CA
Great knowledgable service. They were ontime and they came out in the rain to fix the problem with my pool. They had it up and running in less than an hour. Very professionl and friendly! I highly recommend them! Read more
Jim G
Jeremy Mondell and the Swim Care Pool Services Team were recommended to me as the best team to use for pool maintenance and service. The advice I received was excellent. After purchasing a new home with a pool that somehow passed all the inspections but shortly after moving in...
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Great monthly pool service, have been using them for years. When it came time to put a fence up around my Dad's pool (he has dementia) they took great care in making sure not to hurt his feelings, while also providing several tech options for additional safety. Thank you! Read more
Dave Collado
Jeremy is easy to work with and is a real pool leak detection expert that can answer your questions.
Joey Stutson
I called Swim Care Pool Services thinking I had a leaking Swimming Pool Solar panel. As soon as I spoke with one of the customer service leaders I realized I was talking to a professional who could communicate in a way I understood. I told Jeremy I was on a budget and he... Read more
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I wish i had called Swim Care to search for my pool leak before I spent $ 399.00 with the first Co. Swim Care was a few dollars more but I would have saved money if I had called them first! From what I already knew and what I saw and learned they have up to date technology to... Read more
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