Remember: it is not uncommon to lose 2″ per week or more of water due to evaporation. You can figure out how much water loss is due to evaporation by performing a bucket test. Keep in mind, the bucket and pool are similar but different environments and you may see some difference in evaporation. The closer you can mimic the pool environment (e.g. submerging the bucket), the more accurate your bucket test will be.
Bucket test (if you have a walk-in step)
You will need a large bucket (such as a 5-gallon pail). If the walk-in step is shaded (but your pool is at least partly in the sun), you will need to use one of the below bucket tests.
- Choose a step, that when submerged, the water line will come 3/4 of the way up the outside of the bucket.
- Fill the bucket so that the water inside the bucket is level with the water in the pool (you can place a brick or stone to help the bucket from floating).
- Using a pencil, mark the pool water level on the outside of the bucket.
- Mark the water level inside the bucket on the inside of the bucket.
After 24-48 hours, if the water inside of the bucket drops at approximately the same rate as outside the bucket, the water you have lost is due to evaporation.
Bucket test (if you have a ladder)
You will need a large bucket (such as a 5-gallon pail). If the ladder is shaded (but your pool is at least partly in the sun), you will need to use one of the below bucket tests.
- Fill the bucket so that it is partially submerged and the water inside the bucket is at approximately the same height as the water outside the bucket.
- Tie the bucket to the ladder (if you can, secure it so that it does not move).
- Using a pencil, mark the pool water level on the outside of the bucket.
- Mark the water level inside the bucket on the inside of the bucket.
After 24-48 hours, if the water inside of the bucket drops at approximately the same rate as outside the bucket, the water you have lost is due to evaporation. If water is splashed into the bucket, or the bucket tips, it is necessary to restart the test.
Bucket test (without a step or ladder)
You will need a large bucket (such as a 5-gallon pail).
- Fill the bucket to within approximately 2″ of the rim.
- Place the bucket on the pool deck in the sun (unless nearly your whole pool is in the shade).
- Using a pencil, mark the water level inside the bucket on the inside of the bucket.
- Mark the water level of the pool on your skimmer.
After 24-48 hours, measure the water level drop on the inside of the bucket and compare it to the water drop on the skimmer. If the drop is approximately the same, your water loss is due to evaporation.
I have a leak!
If there is more than a 1/2″ of water loss (per day) between the bucket and the pool, you likely have a leak.
Save money by finding the leak yourself
Visually inspect your pool equipment when it is running. Look for wetness around the base of equipment like your pump, filter, heater, and plumbing. Also look for drips, especially if your equipment is near grass or in the sun. The most common leaks on equipment are:
- drain plugs and caps
- the pump seal (look under the pump for water)
- inside heaters and heat pumps (look around the base or shine a flashlight inside)
- from the backwash line of your filter
Save more money by generally locating the leak
If there is no indication of a leak around the equipment or backwash line then the next step would be to determine if the leak is in the liner or the underground plumbing. By isolating the leak you can avoid an entire service call and lower the cost of leak detection.
- Turn off the pumps (make sure they will not come back on with a timer)
- Prepare your winterizing plugs (for your jets and skimmer) by wrapping them a few turns with teflon tape
- Remove jets and insert winterizing plugs
- Using a pencil, mark the water level on your step or skimmer (make sure to record the date and time)
After 24-48 hours, check how far the water level in your pool has dropped. If the water loss has remained constant then your leak is in the liner or main drain and will likely require a dive. If no water loss is detectable (except that of evaporation) your leak is in the underground plumbing and will likely require a pressure test.
Of course, we are able to perform all these steps for you — but following the above process prior to calling for service will significantly reduce the cost of the leak detection and repair.
We serve Peterborough, Lakefield, Selwyn, Ennismore, Bridgenorth, Young’s Point, Curve Lake, Omemee, Millbrook and more. Contact us for more information.