Waterfalls, sheer descents, spillover spas, grottos, and scuppers add visual appeal — but they also add complexity. When water features leak, they can drain your pool faster than any other source. We locate and repair leaks in pool water features, including the plumbing, mortar, and structure behind them.
Rock waterfalls, sheer descents, spillover spas, grottos, and scuppers all add beauty and ambiance to a pool — but they also add plumbing complexity and multiple potential leak points. Water features are one of the most common sources of pool water loss we see in DFW.
The challenge with water feature leaks is that water is already flowing over surfaces, making it hard to tell where the leak actually is. Is it in the plumbing feeding the feature? In the mortar between the rocks? In a crack in the concrete structure behind it? Or is the water simply splashing out of the intended path?
We isolate and test water feature plumbing separately from the main pool system to pinpoint exactly where water is being lost. Once we identify the source, we repair it properly — whether that's a plumbing leak, deteriorated grout, structural crack, or failed seal.
With over 20,000 repairs completed across DFW, we've seen how often homeowners chase water loss for months before realizing the waterfall — not the pool — is the source.
Schedule a Service CallDifferent water features fail in different ways. Rock waterfalls leak through deteriorated mortar. Sheer descents develop plumbing issues or housing cracks. Spillover spas can leak at the spillway edge or in the plumbing connecting spa to pool. We diagnose each type accordingly.
Rock waterfalls are built with mortar between stones — and that mortar shrinks and cracks over time. Water finds its way through these gaps and behind the structure instead of flowing into the pool. We identify where the mortar has failed, re-grout the affected areas, and seal the structure to stop the leak.
Sheer descents and scuppers create a smooth sheet of water from a raised wall. Leaks can occur in the plumbing feeding the unit, at the connection point, or within the sheer descent housing itself if the plastic has cracked under weight or stress. We pressure test the supply line and inspect the housing to locate the failure.
Spillover spas sit higher than the pool, with water cascading over an edge into the pool below. Leaks can occur at the spillway edge, in the plumbing connecting the spa to the pool, or within the spa shell itself. We test the spa system separately to isolate where the water loss is occurring.
Water feature leak detection requires isolating the feature from the main pool system to determine where the water loss is actually occurring.
We run the pool with the water feature on and off separately, comparing water loss in each scenario. This tells us whether the leak is in the water feature system, the main pool, or both. Many homeowners don't realize the waterfall is the source until this test is performed.
We pressure test the plumbing lines feeding the water feature to check for underground leaks. If the line loses pressure, we know the leak is in the plumbing — not the feature structure itself.
For rock waterfalls and grottos, we visually inspect for failed mortar joints, cracks in the concrete structure, and areas where water is escaping the intended flow path. We run the feature and watch where water goes — and where it shouldn't.
Once we've identified the source, we repair it — whether that's a pipe repair, re-grouting rock joints with pool-rated mortar, sealing cracks in the structure, or replacing a damaged sheer descent housing. The repair addresses the root cause, not just the symptom.
Every water feature repair is backed in writing. 3-year warranty on pipe repairs and seal repairs. Transferable to new homeowners at no additional cost.
If something isn't right, we come back. That's not a policy — it's how we operate.
Every repair is backed in writing, with clear coverage and real accountability. Warranties are transferable to new homeowners at no additional cost — a documented asset at closing.
The simplest test is to run the pool with the waterfall off for several days, then run it with the waterfall on. If you lose significantly more water when the waterfall is running, the leak is likely in the water feature — either in the plumbing feeding it or in the structure itself. We perform this isolation test as a standard part of our leak detection process.
Almost all rock waterfalls leak eventually because the mortar between the stones shrinks and cracks over time. Water finds its way through these gaps and escapes behind the waterfall structure instead of flowing into the pool. Temperature changes, settling, and normal wear accelerate the process. Re-grouting and sealing the affected joints is usually the fix — not replacing the entire waterfall.
For minor mortar cracks where you can clearly see water escaping between rocks, a pool-rated epoxy sealant can sometimes work as a temporary fix. But most waterfall leaks we see involve failed mortar in multiple areas or water escaping behind the structure where you can't see it. If you've already tried sealing visible cracks and the leak persists, the source is likely somewhere else — and further DIY sealing can make it harder to find.
Two common causes: debris clogging part of the narrow exit slot, or compression damage to the sheer descent housing from weight above it. The first is an easy fix — cleaning the slot. The second may require removing the stone above the unit to replumb the connection or replace the housing entirely. If cleaning doesn't solve it, the housing or mounting is likely the issue.
Spillover spas can leak at multiple points: the spa shell itself, the plumbing connecting spa to pool, or the spillway edge where water flows over. We test the spa system separately — filling the spa and monitoring water loss with the spillover running and not running — to isolate where the leak is occurring. The answer determines whether the repair is a spa issue, a plumbing issue, or a spillway sealing issue.
Most water features — especially waterfalls, sheer descents, and deck jets — require a dedicated pump separate from the main pool circulation pump. This allows the feature to operate independently and at the right flow rate. If the water feature pump is failing — making noise, running intermittently, or producing weak flow — that's a separate repair from the plumbing or structure.
The white crusty deposits are calcium scale — mineral buildup from DFW's hard water combined with constant evaporation at the waterfall surface. It's cosmetic, not structural, and can be removed with light acid washing or scraping. Persistent buildup may indicate water chemistry issues that should be addressed to prevent damage to the mortar and pool surfaces.
Yes — sheer descents, scuppers, and even rock waterfalls can be added to existing pools. It requires running new plumbing, installing a dedicated pump and valve, and building the feature structure. The scope depends on where you want the feature and how elaborate the design is. We can assess what's feasible for your pool and provide an estimate for the full scope.
It depends on the source of the problem. A simple pipe repair or mortar re-grouting can often be completed in one day. If the sheer descent housing is cracked and needs replacement — which requires removing stone above it — that's a more involved job taking several days. We'll give you a clear timeline in the written estimate after we've identified the source.
A leaking waterfall can drain significant amounts of water — we've seen pools losing 2 or more inches per day from waterfall leaks alone. Beyond water loss, you're paying to refill and re-treat the water constantly. The water escaping behind the structure can also erode soil, undermine the waterfall foundation, and cause structural damage over time. The longer it's ignored, the more extensive the repair becomes.
Usually not. Most water feature repairs can be done without draining the pool — we just need access to the feature itself. If the repair involves the plumbing underground or beneath the waterfall structure, some excavation may be required, but the pool water typically stays in place. For spillover spa repairs, we may need to lower the spa water level but not necessarily the pool.
Grinding, screeching, or rattling sounds from a water feature pump typically indicate a worn-out motor, a loose impeller, or debris trapped in the pump housing. Low or intermittent water flow often accompanies pump problems. We can assess the pump and determine whether it needs repair or replacement — water feature pumps generally last 8 to 12 years with proper maintenance.
Tell us what you're seeing, and we'll determine whether the leak is in the water feature, the plumbing, or the pool itself — then fix it properly.
Last reviewed: April 2026
