Not sure if you have a leak?

Make this simple but accurate test to determine and measure the rate your pool water evaporates and to measure any water leaks.

  1. Make sure water is at the normal operating temperature by setting your water heater or solar heater. ( Higher water temperatures cause greater evaporation losses )
  2. Fill a 5 gallon bucket with pool water.
  3. Place the bucket on the first or second step of the pool or on a swimout. The deeper the bucket sits in the water without trying to float, the better.
  4. You now need to mark the water level on both the inside and the outside ( pool level) of the bucket.
  5. After 24 hours compare the 2 water levels. The loss inside the bucket is your pools daily evaporation rate. If the water level on the outside ( pool water ) of the bucket dropped more than the inside level that's a very good indication you have a leak.

Water leaks under your pool deck and shell can cause soil to compact and shrink away leaving the pool shell unsupported. This may cause decks to settle or shift resulting in a cracked pool shell. Settling and shifting decks are also the leading cause of cracked or separated underground pipes.

All pools, old or new, may develop leaks due to ground movement or settling, improper installation, faulty seals, or a host of other factors. The most common leaks we find are pool light conduits, main drain joints, skimmer and pool return piping joints.

Most people are surprised that a small 1/8 inch diameter hole can cause so much water loss. In a typical 20 foot wide by 30 foot long pool a one inch per day water loss is equal to approx. 370 gallons of water. Losing even small amounts of water per day results in diluted water chemistry which, over time, may result in degradation of the pool finish. The longer water is allowed to leak, the greater the chance of major damage.

 

Here's how to calculate your water loss in gallons:

  1. Determine your pool surface area by multiplying the length times the width. (length X width)
  2. Multiply the inches of water loss times .62
  3. Multiply the results of (2) times surface area (1)

The result is your water loss in gallons of water per day.

Example: A pool 20 ft long by 30 ft. wide is loosing 1 inch of water per day.

20 Ft. x 30 Ft. = 600 sq. ft.
1 inch water loss x .62 = .62
.62 x 600 sq. ft. = 372 gallons.