Often, a leak in a pool or spa can go undetected for weeks or months. At times it’s difficult to determine if the loss of water in your pool is due to a leak in the pool surface or system or just evaporation. If you find that your pool or spa has some of the signs listed below and have conducted a bucket test and still suspect that you may have a leak, call us today at (916) 530-2096, (925) 849-6545 or (888) 994-7665 to schedule a consultation.
We specialize in advanced pool and spa leak detection, diagnostics, and underground swimming pool plumbing repair for complex systems.
Seven Signs of a Leak
- Air bubbles in the water return lines
- Pump equipment loses prime
- Visible cracks in the liner and/or bottom
- Pool deck is sinking or lifting
- Soggy spots on the ground around the pool
- Adding water more than once a week
- Pool loses more than regular evaporation
Soggy spots on the ground around the pool
Pool deck is sinking or lifting
The Bucket Test
- Bring the pool water to normal level. Fill a 5-gallon bucket with pool water to about two-thirds from the top.
- Place the bucket on the first or second step of the pool. Ensure the bucket is immersed in the pool at least five inches.
- Mark the water level inside the bucket.
- Shut off the pump and mark pool water level on the outside of the bucket.
- Resume normal pool pump operation.
- After 24 hours, compare the two water levels. If the pool water (outside mark) goes down more than the bucket’s water level, there is probably a leak. If levels are the same, only evaporation has occurred.
- Pool loses more than regular evaporation
In case of rain, repeat the bucket test. Expect water loss from normal evaporation. Test is invalid after 24 hours. Typical evaporation a quarter inch of water loss per day is most likely evaporation. The evaporation rate in your area will depend on humidity, sunlight intensity, barometric pressure, wind and the level of activity in the pool or spa.
With the most recent, unprecedented California drought rendering the majority of the state in exceptional drought conditions, pool owners today cannot afford to delay in finding and repairing a pool leak!
Sacramento Area: (916) 530-2096 | Bay Area: (925) 849-6545 | Toll Free: (888) 994-7665 (POOL)
We serve the residential and commercial pool and spa communities of greater Sacramento to the Bay Area,
including Walnut Creek to Orinda, El Dorado Hills, Granite Bay, and Hwy 50 down to the 680 corridor.