Inground Pool Light Leak Repair

In the pursuit of a pristine and well-maintained inground pool, the issue of leaking lights can pose a significant challenge. Inground pool lights tend to leak from the conduit, which is the pipe that carries the light cord from the lamp to the junction box. A pool light conduit is a ¾” or 1″ gray PVC pipe that runs beneath the deck. The pipe can allow water to enter because it is not sealed at the fittings. In some cases, water can freeze inside the conduit, causing it to crack and leak into the pool. In other instances, the conduit may be cracked during the deck installation or due to ground shifting or settling plates.

Is Your Pool Light Leaking?

To determine if your pool light is leaking, continue to operate the pool only on the main drain (close the skimmers or plug them) and let the water level drop. If the water level appears to stabilize at the level of the light, or more precisely, just a few inches below the top of the light, you may have a leaking conduit. To be sure, you can add a few inches of water and shut off the pump, close the skimmers, return lines, main drain pipes, and any other pool light conduits with expansion plugs.

If an inground gunite pool still leaks with all the pipes tightly closed and the pump turned off, it means there is a leak in the pool shell or the pool light. For vinyl-lined pools, leaks in the liner should be ruled out, or any spot where the liner has intentionally been cut, such as the steps, skimmers, returns, drains, and pool lights.

For more advanced leak detection, Anderson Manufacturing offers a Pool Light Tester that allows you to shut off at the pool wall and add leak testing dye to see if it is being sucked out of the conduit.

How Low Can You Go?

If the water level continues to drop below the midpoint of the light, you may have a conduit leak. However, there may also be a few other leaks somewhere else. A conduit leak will only leak to the port on the upper back of the conduit, where the conduit connects.

Is the Pool Light Conduit Leaking?

Pool light conduits rarely leak. It is extremely rare for a pool light to leak through the top of the conduit or around the conduit. 99% of the time, if a pool light leaks, water will flow out through the light conduit. However, vinyl-lined pools have the light sealing rubber gasket adhered to the pool wall, which has more leak potential around the niche.

Is There Water Inside?

If there is water inside the lens of the pool light, which is usually visible from the deck, it does not necessarily mean that the light is leaking. It means that the lamp seal has failed, allowing water to enter and surround the bulb. Address this potentially hazardous situation, but be aware that it is not the source of the pool leak.

Repairing a Conduit Leak in a Pool Light

Rest assured, we will not dig up the broken light conduit. There are a few ways to seal the conduit from inside the pool, where it connects to the back of the pool light.

  • Silicone: With the water level at mid-light or lower, spray silicone rubber into the conduit and around where the light cord enters the port. Clean the areas beforehand to improve bonding and sealing.
  • Pool putty: Mix half of the epoxy/resin Pool Putty and pack it around the (cleaned) light cord and junction port. Create a cone of putty that seals against the niche, cord, and port. Fill the pool back up and leave the light on the deck for 24 hours to let the putty dry. Install the light carefully to avoid disturbing the putty.
  • Light cord stopper: For the most permanent solution for a conduit leak in a pool light, seal the opening in the niche with a Light Cord Stopper. It comes in two sizes to fit a 3/4″ or 1″ opening, with a passage for the light cord to go through. Press it firmly in place to prevent water from entering the conduit.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  1. How can I determine if my pool light is leaking?
    To determine if your pool light is leaking, you can operate your pool only on the main drain and observe if the water level drops to the light. If it does, you may have a conduit leak.

  2. Is a leaking pool light a common problem?
    No, leaking pool lights are rare. It is usually the conduit that leaks, not the niche itself.

  3. How can I fix a leak in the light conduit?
    There are several ways to fix a conduit leak in a pool light, such as using silicone, pool putty, or a light cord stopper to seal the leak.

  4. Is it dangerous if there is water inside the pool light lens?
    Yes, if there is water inside the pool light lens, it can be a potentially hazardous situation. The lamp seal may have failed, and water can surround the bulb. It should be fixed.

With this information, you can effectively repair your leaking inground pool light and enjoy a clean and well-maintained pool again!

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