Is My Pool Leaking or Just Evaporating? How to Tell

Noticing your pool water level dropping can be worrying. But before you panic about leaks, it’s important to know that some water loss is completely normal. Pools naturally lose water through evaporation, splash-out, and backwashing. The challenge is telling the difference between what’s normal and what’s a sign of a leak.

💧 Normal Water Loss: Evaporation

• Climate matters: Hot, dry, or windy weather speeds up evaporation.

• Pool type: Heated pools, dark-coloured pools, and pools with water features (like fountains or waterfalls) lose more water.

• Average: Most pools lose 2–5mm per day from evaporation. Over a week, that can add up to a noticeable drop.

🕳️ Signs of a Leak

If your pool is losing more than normal evaporation, you may have a leak. Look for:

• Water loss greater than 2–3 cm per week (depending on weather).

• Wet or soggy spots around the pool or equipment area.

• Air bubbles in the pump or pool returns.

• Cracks in the pool surface or tiles.

• Difficulty keeping chemicals balanced (a leaking pool constantly dilutes water chemistry).

🧪 The Bucket Test: A Simple Way to Check

The easiest DIY test to rule out evaporation is the bucket test:

1. Fill a bucket with pool water and place it on the pool step (so the water inside is at the same level as the pool).

2. Mark the water level inside the bucket and the level of the pool water outside the bucket.

3. Leave for 24–48 hours without swimming.

4. Compare the two levels:

   • If both dropped the same, it’s evaporation.

   • If the pool dropped more than the bucket, you likely have a leak.

🛠️ What to Do if You Suspect a Leak

• Check around fittings (skimmer, returns, lights).

• Inspect visible pipework for damp spots.

• If you can’t find the source, call a professional leak detection service — finding and fixing leaks early can save major repairs later.

✅ Takeaway:
Some water loss is normal, but if you’re topping up your pool more than once a week, it’s worth checking for leaks. The bucket test is a quick way to tell the difference and gives you peace of mind.