How to Tell the Difference and When to Call a Pool Leak Detection Specialist
It’s one of the most common questions pool owners ask during the summer:
“Is it normal for my pool to lose water?”
The short answer is yes—every pool loses some water through evaporation. However, if you’re constantly adding water or notice the water level dropping faster than expected, there may be a hidden leak that needs professional attention.
Knowing the difference between normal evaporation and a leak can help you avoid costly water loss, equipment damage, and unnecessary repairs.
How Much Water Loss Is Normal?
During the warmer months, it’s perfectly normal for a swimming pool to lose water through evaporation. Factors that affect evaporation include:
- High temperatures
- Direct sunlight
- Low humidity
- Windy conditions
- Warm pool water
- Frequent swimming and splashing
On average, a pool may lose 3 to 6 mm (1/8 to 1/4 inch) of water per day during the summer. After a particularly hot or windy week, water loss may be slightly higher.
If you’re only topping up your pool occasionally, evaporation is likely the cause.
When Water Loss May Indicate a Leak
If your pool is losing significantly more water than expected, or you’re adding water every few days, it’s time to investigate further.
Some common signs of a pool leak include:
- Water level drops more than 6 mm (1/4 inch) per day
- Constantly needing to refill the pool
- Wet or soggy areas around the pool or equipment
- Water behind the liner
- Air bubbles coming from the return jets
- Difficulty maintaining proper water chemistry
- Unexpectedly high water bills
Even a small leak can waste thousands of litres of water over the course of a season.
Try the Bucket Test
One of the easiest ways to determine whether you’re dealing with evaporation or a leak is the bucket test.
Here’s how it works:
- Fill a bucket with pool water.
- Place the bucket on a pool step so the water inside the bucket matches the water level outside.
- Mark both water levels.
- Leave the pool unused for 24 hours with the pump operating as normal.
- Compare the water levels.
If the pool water drops noticeably more than the water inside the bucket, you may have a leak.
While this test won’t identify where the leak is located, it can help determine whether further investigation is needed.
Where Do Pool Leaks Usually Occur?
Leaks can develop in several areas of your pool system, including:
- Underground plumbing lines
- Pool pump and filtration equipment
- Skimmers and returns
- Main drain fittings
- Vinyl liners
- Pool lights and fittings
- Cracks in concrete or fiberglass pools
- Steps
Because many leaks are hidden underground or behind pool walls, they often can’t be found through a simple visual inspection.
Why You Shouldn’t Ignore a Pool Leak
A small leak may not seem urgent, but over time it can lead to much larger problems, including:
- Increased water bills
- Higher chemical costs
- Damage to pool equipment
- Soil erosion beneath the pool
- Deck settlement or cracking
- Structural damage if left untreated
Finding and repairing a leak early is almost always less expensive than waiting until the damage becomes more severe.
Professional Pool Leak Detection
If you suspect your pool has a leak, professional leak detection can accurately locate the problem without unnecessary digging or guesswork.
At Bremner Pool & Spa, our experienced technicians use specialized leak detection equipment to identify leaks in pool plumbing, liners, fittings, and other components, allowing repairs to be completed quickly and efficiently.
Whether the issue is a small plumbing leak or something more complex, we’ll help determine the cause and recommend the best solution.
Need Help Finding a Pool Leak?
If you’re topping up your pool more often than usual or suspect something isn’t right, don’t wait until the problem gets worse.
Contact Bremner Pool & Spa to schedule a professional pool leak detection service and enjoy peace of mind knowing your pool is operating as it should.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most pools lose approximately 3 to 6 mm (1/8 to 1/4 inch) of water per day during the summer due to evaporation. Factors such as temperature, wind, humidity, and pool usage can increase water loss.
If your pool loses more than about 6 mm (1/4 inch) of water daily, requires frequent refilling, or you notice wet areas around the pool or equipment, you may have a leak.
No. Pool leaks typically worsen over time and can lead to higher water bills, equipment damage, and structural issues if not repaired.
The bucket test compares evaporation inside a bucket with water loss from the pool. If the pool loses more water than the bucket, a leak may be present.
If the bucket test suggests a leak or you can’t determine why your pool is losing water, it’s best to have a professional leak detection inspection performed.
Guide To Achieving Perfectly Clean And Clear Pool Water
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