PoolLeakFix.com
Is Your Pool Leaking or Just Evaporating?
Learn what normal water loss looks like, how to run a simple bucket test,
and when it’s time to call a leak detection specialist.
Quick Answer
- Most pools lose about ⅛–¼ inch per day to normal evaporation.
- If you’re losing ½ inch or more per day, you likely have a real leak.
- Fastest way to know: run a bucket test and compare water loss.
Normal Evaporation vs. Real Pool Leak
A little water loss is completely normal. Heat, wind, sun, splash-out, and backwashing
all take small amounts of water out of your pool every day. The key is knowing when the
amount you’re losing is too much.
Typical “Normal” Loss
- ⅛–¼ inch per day in warm, sunny weather.
- A little more on windy days or if the pool is used heavily.
- Some extra loss when you backwash or clean the filter.
Warning Signs of a Leak
- Water dropping ½–1 inch per day or more.
- Air bubbles returning to the pool or the pump losing prime.
- Soft or constantly wet areas around the pool or deck.
- Water line dropping below the skimmer on its own.
Step-by-Step: Bucket Test for Pool Leaks
The bucket test compares how fast your pool water drops against how fast water in a
small bucket drops. If the pool is losing water faster than the bucket, you almost
certainly have a leak.
- Fill a plastic bucket with pool water and place it on a step so the top is above the pool surface.
- Mark the water level inside the bucket and on the pool tile with tape or a pencil.
- Run the pump on its normal schedule for 24 hours.
- Measure how far the pool water dropped vs. the water in the bucket.
- If the pool dropped more than the bucket, you likely have a leak.
Want an interactive version? Use our guided bucket test tool to track and compare your
readings step by step.
When to Call a Leak Specialist
- Your bucket test shows the pool dropping noticeably faster than the bucket.
- You’re topping off the pool more than once a week just to keep up.
- The pump is sucking air, losing prime, or you see new wet spots around the pool.
Leak specialists do this every day. They have tools and testing methods that can pin
down leaks you’ll never see with a quick glance at the waterline.
Think You Have a Real Leak?
If your pool is dropping faster than it should, don’t ignore it. We can connect you
with a dedicated leak detection specialist in your area who does this every day.