Home >> Toys >> Backyard Toys

How to Find a Leak in an Inflatable Pool

During the hot summer months, kids love to splash. One inexpensive way to give them that opportunity is with an inflatable pool. You can store the pools in your attic or cellar when summer's over, and bring them out for another round the following year. The biggest drawback to an inflatable pool, though, is that it is full of air. It takes a lot of effort to fill it up if you don't have an electric pump, and it is susceptible to leaks. Minor leaks are often easy to repair but very difficult to find.

Things You'll Need

Dish soap
Water
Small bucket
Rag or sponge

Instructions

- 1
  Add dish detergent to the bucket--a mop bucket will do--and fill the bucket with water. The water should become sudsy and remain sudsy when squeezed out of the rag or sponge. Dish soap is available in varying degrees of concentration, so the amount you need depends on the brand you buy. You can always add more if the water isn't soapy enough.
- 2
  Inflate the pool completely. Run your hands gently over the sides to see if you feel any air coming out. If you think you do, then use that place as your starting spot.
- 3
  Dip the rag or sponge into the bucket, and pull it out without wringing. Place it over the side of the pool you want to inspect and squeeze out the soapy water Let it run down, and completely cover the area you are inspecting.
- 4
  Look for bubbles forming and popping in the water you squeezed. When the soapy water passes over the leak, the air will form bubbles that grow, then pop, and then grow again. If you don't see bubbles, move to the next spot and repeat. Wherever you find the bubbles will be where the leak is.

Backyard Toys