The pipes and valves that run your pool don’t get much attention until one breaks. Then you might see a wet spot by the equipment, hear the pump sucking air, or watch the water level drop. NextGen Pool Care fixes pool plumbing and pool leaks with our own repair techs. We repair cracked pipes, broken valves, leaking fittings, and underground lines across the Valley. Call (623) 526-4945 and we’ll come take a look.

If you’re not sure yet whether you have a leak, start with our pool leak detection page. It has a free bucket test you can do at home. This page is about fixing the problem once we know where it is.

What We Repair

Leaks at the equipment pad. This is where most pool plumbing leaks start. Fittings, unions, and glue joints dry out and crack in the sun. A small drip at the pad can turn into a big one fast. We cut out the bad section and put in new pipe and fittings.

Valves. Most pools have two or three valves that send water to the pool, the spa, a waterfall, or a cleaner. Valves wear out. You might see water leaking from the top, or the handle may get hard to turn or spin with no effect. We rebuild a valve with new seals when we can, and replace it when we can’t.

Underground pipes. The lines between the pool and the pad run under your deck or yard. They can crack from age, shifting soil, or tree roots. These take more work, since we have to dig to reach them. We’ll explain where the break is, how much digging it takes, and what it costs before we start.

Skimmer lines and returns. The skimmer and the jets in the wall have their own pipes and fittings. Cracks and loose fittings here are common, mostly on older pools.

Air leaks. Not every plumbing problem drips water. A crack on the suction side, between the pool and the pump, can pull air in. You’ll see bubbles in the pump basket or bubbles blowing out of the jets. The pump may also lose prime. If that sounds like your pool, our pump won’t prime checklist covers the easy things to check first.

New plumbing for new equipment. When a new pump, filter, or heater goes in, the plumbing often has to change to fit it. We handle that as part of the install.

How a Plumbing Repair Goes

1. You call and tell us what you’re seeing.
2. A repair tech checks the pad, the pipes, and the valves, and finds the problem.
3. We tell you what needs fixing and what it will cost. Nothing starts until you say yes.
4. We make the repair. Glue joints need time to cure, so the pump may stay off for a short while.
5. We turn everything back on, check for leaks, and make sure the pump primes and the water flows right.

You’ll get an emailed report when we’re done, and you can see the work in our customer portal.

Why Pool Pipes Fail Here

Arizona sun is hard on plastic. Pipe that sits above ground at the pad gets baked every day. Over the years it turns chalky and brittle and cracks. Painting exposed pipe helps protect it, and so does shade.

The ground here moves too. Clay soil swells in monsoon season and shrinks when it dries out. That pushes and pulls on pipes under the deck. Older homes in Central Phoenix and Glendale tend to have older pipes, so we see more of these breaks there.

And the pipes heat up and cool down every day. Plastic grows a little when it’s hot and shrinks when it cools. That slow back and forth works on glue joints until they let go.

Signs You Have a Plumbing Problem

• A wet spot or puddle at the equipment pad that doesn’t dry
• Bubbles in the pump basket or air blowing out of the jets
• Weak flow at the jets or at the cleaner
• A valve that leaks from the top or won’t turn
• A soft or sunken spot in the yard or deck near the pool
• The pool losing more water when the pump is running

Common Questions

Can a small leak at the pad wait?

It can wait a few days, but not long. Small leaks grow, and water at the pad can soak into the ground near the equipment and the house. A leak on the suction side can also burn up your pump if it keeps losing prime.

Do you have to break up my deck to fix a pipe?

Sometimes, but we try to keep it small. We find where the break is first, then open only what we need to reach it. We’ll tell you before we cut anything.

Will my homeowners insurance pay for it?

It depends on your policy and the cause. Call your insurance company and ask. We can give you a written report of what we found and fixed.

Why does my pump sound like it’s sucking air?

That gurgle almost always means air is getting in on the suction side. The pump lid O-ring, a loose drain plug, a cracked fitting before the pump, or a low water level can all cause it. Check the water level and the lid first. If the sound stays, call us before the pump runs dry and burns up the seal.

Do you fix spa plumbing too?

Yes. Spa lines, spa valves, and the spillover all use the same kind of plumbing as the pool.

Call About a Plumbing Repair

Call (623) 526-4945 or send a repair request. Our hourly repair rate is on the pricing page. For pumps, filters, heaters, and everything else, see our full list of pool repair services in Phoenix.

NextGen Pool Care, ROC #356379. Licensed, bonded, and fully insured in Arizona.