How to Tell If Your Pond Has a Leak
A sudden drop in water level. A pump that runs dry too quickly. That gut feeling that something just isn't right. If you’re a pond owner in Northern Indiana—especially around Elkhart, South Bend, or Plymouth—chances are you've asked yourself this question before:
"Do I have a leak in my pond?"
You're not alone. At Aquascapes of Michiana, we get calls like this all the time. The good news? Not every water loss issue is a true leak, and many problems are easier to solve than you’d expect.
In this guide, we’ll break down how to detect a leak, what signs to look for, and what to do about it if you confirm your pond is losing water.
Table of Contents
Is Water Loss Always a Leak?
Signs Your Pond Might Be Leaking
Common Causes of Pond Leaks
Step-by-Step Leak Detection Process
What If It’s Not a Leak?
When to Call a Pond Professional
Preventing Future Pond Leaks
Why Aquascapes of Michiana is Your Go-To Repair Team
Is Water Loss Always a Leak?
Let’s start with the biggest myth: not all water loss is a leak.
Evaporation Is Normal
In Northern Indiana’s warm summers—especially in July and August—your pond can lose up to 1 to 2 inches of water per day due to evaporation alone. Add wind, direct sunlight, and waterfall splashing, and it’s easy to mistake normal evaporation for something more serious.
Wildlife and Plants Can Contribute
Thirsty deer, raccoons, or herons may take a sip (or bath) from your pond. Overgrown aquatic plants like water hyacinth can hold water and reduce surface flow, altering how water cycles through your pond.
So before panicking, let’s talk about what real leak signs look like.
Signs Your Pond Might Be Leaking
If you suspect a leak, ask yourself these questions:
1. Has the water level dropped more than 2 inches in 24 hours?
If yes—and there hasn't been extreme heat or wind—it’s time to start investigating.
2. Is your skimmer running dry?
When water drops below the skimmer opening, your pump could run dry. This is a critical sign that your pond is losing water faster than it should.
3. Is there standing water or soggy ground nearby?
A patch of unusually green grass, mushy soil, or pooling water around the edges of your pond or stream could point to a liner breach or plumbing issue.
4. Is your waterfall or stream flow inconsistent?
If the water feature isn’t flowing evenly or is weaker than normal, the issue might be a hidden leak in the plumbing or liner near your falls.
Common Causes of Pond Leaks
Pond leaks generally fall into a few categories:
Liner Tears or Punctures
Sometimes it's caused by shifting rocks, curious critters, or a sharp object poking through the liner.
Low Edges
Water can escape over the edge if your liner wasn’t properly raised or if soil has settled over time.
Skimmer or BioFalls Seal Failures
Skimmers and waterfalls use sealant to join liner to hard plastic. Over time, that seal can dry out and crack.
Faulty or Aged Plumbing
Flexible PVC pipe or fittings can crack or come loose. Roots and freeze-thaw cycles in Indiana soil can make things worse.
Step-by-Step Leak Detection Process
You don’t need to start digging or draining your pond. Start small, and work through this process:
Step 1: Turn Off the Pump
Let the system sit idle for 12–24 hours. If the water level stays the same, the leak is likely in your plumbing, waterfall, or skimmer. If the level drops, the leak is likely in the pond liner.
Step 2: Monitor the Drop
Mark the water line with a rock or stick. Check every 6–12 hours to see how much water is lost and where the level stabilizes.
If water stops dropping at a certain level, that’s where the leak likely is.
If it keeps dropping past the bottom, your pond liner may have a tear near the base.
Step 3: Inspect the Liner and Edges
Walk the pond perimeter and check for:
Creases in the liner where water might be escaping
Low edges where water spills out
Signs of animal digging or root intrusion
Step 4: Check the Plumbing
Inspect the pipes for:
Moisture around fittings
Cracked or broken PVC
Loose connections at the skimmer or pump vault
This is one of the most common issues we see in older pond builds.
What If It’s Not a Leak?
Let’s say your water loss is 1–2 inches per day and only happens when the pump is running. It could be:
Splash Loss from a Waterfall
If water is splashing outside the basin or onto rocks that direct it away from the liner, that’s a fixable flow issue—not a leak.
Plant Overgrowth
Floating plants like water lettuce or lily pads can block flow and redirect water into unwanted areas.
Seasonal Evaporation
During hot Indiana summers, ponds lose more water than most people expect. Compare your loss to local weather conditions before assuming a leak.
When to Call a Pond Professional
If you’ve ruled out evaporation and splash loss, and your water continues to drop—you’ll save time and money by calling a pro.
At Aquascapes of Michiana, we use:
Specialized leak detection tools
Pressure testing for plumbing lines
Non-invasive inspections (no digging unless needed)
Proven liner patching techniques
We don’t just find the leak—we fix it the right way.
Request a Pond Leak Assessment »
Preventing Future Pond Leaks
✔ Use Professional-Grade Liners & Equipment
Cheap liners or fittings often lead to long-term issues. We use only professional-grade EPDM liners and Aquascape parts.
✔ Monitor Water Levels Regularly
Add a simple pond gauge or mark your skimmer level. Catching issues early saves bigger headaches.
✔ Schedule Seasonal Maintenance
A spring or fall pond cleanout gives our team a chance to inspect everything—liner, plumbing, equipment—before issues escalate.
Explore Our Pond Repair Services »
Why Aquascapes of Michiana is Your Go-To Repair Team
When you hire us, you get more than just a patch and go. We:
Diagnose the true cause of the leak
Explain the options clearly
Offer transparent pricing
Stand behind every repair
We’ve repaired hundreds of ponds in Elkhart, South Bend, Goshen, and surrounding areas. If your pond’s leaking—or even if you’re not sure—give us a call. You’ll get honest answers and expert help.
Ready to Stop the Leak?
If you're tired of guessing and want your pond back in top shape, reach out today.
📞 (574) 361-7745
📍 Serving Northern Indiana: Elkhart, South Bend, Mishawaka, Plymouth, Fort Wayne
Schedule Your Leak Assessment »
Want more tips like this?
Check out the Monthly Ripple Blog » for guides, seasonal tips, and real project stories.
This post was written by the team at Aquascapes of Michiana, your local experts in pond repair, maintenance, and custom water features.