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Pool Water Loss: Is it Simply Evaporation or is there a Leak?


One constant chore that pool owners need to stay vigilant on is keeping the water level consistent. Doing so ensures the pool chemicals remain balanced and that everything in the pool operates as it is supposed to, such as the pump and skimmer. But if a pool owner is noticing lower water levels, is there cause for concern? Aquaman Pools breaks down the important topic of the pool’s water level, and how to tell if water loss is a result of natural evaporation or use, or if a leak may be to blame.

Pool water levels should consistently be kept right at or just slightly below the middle of the pool’s skimmer. If the water dips too low, the pump could overheat and breakdown because not enough water could cause it to run dry. Too-low water levels also can’t reach into the skimmer, so any debris on the surface of the water could cause hoses to clog. On the flip side, if the water level is too high, the skimmer and pump can be impacted as well. So that all-important level is key to a healthy pool (and its equipment).

As the weather heats up, homeowners may notice more water loss, but this doesn’t necessarily mean the water is evaporating under the hot sun. It could be simply from use — spring swim time doesn’t come without some splashing, after all. But there could also be something more sinister at work… a dreaded leak!

When manually filling the pool on a regular basis, homeowners should keep an estimate of how much water they are using each time and verify if this amount is consistent after each filling session. For example, if the pool owner fills the pool for 20 minutes every week, the water should remain fairly consistent. If they start needing to double that time and amount, then there could be a problem.

If there is a suspected leak, pool owners can do a simple “bucket test” to verify this. Place an empty bucket on the top or second step of the pool so that it’s not completely submerged. Fill the bucket so that the water in the bucket is level with the pool water. Then mark the water level with a marker or piece of duct tape. Do not fill the pool manually and turn off any autofill options during this test. Check the bucket two or three days later.

If the water level is about the same, then there is no reason to think there is a leak. On the other hand, if the pool water level is significantly lower than that of the bucket, the pool could have a leak. If the latter is the case, give Aquaman Pools a call! The professional pool technicians at Aquaman are highly skilled at detecting leaks and assessing the best course of action for repair.