Do you find yourself having to add a few inches of water to your pool regularly? If so, the loss may be more than just evaporation or splashed water. Many pools will develop a leak over time due to weather conditions and wear and tear, and there are a few areas where these leaks can occur. It is vital to find these leaks before the winter hits, so you can ensure that there is no freezing damage and your pool is ready when the warm weather returns. Learn how to test for and locate leaks in the guide below.

4 Ways to Find a Leak in Your Pool

1. Complete the Bucket Test

To make sure the water loss is more than evaporation, fill a bucket with pool water up to 2 inches from the edge. Mark the waterline with a waterproof pen or piece of tape. Fill the pool to normal levels, then place the bucket on the steps in the pool. You can weigh down the bucket with a brick if you want, then mark the inside water level. Turn the pump back on and let it run for 24 hours. Next, check the bucket. If the pool water outside of the bucket goes down more than the inside, then the water loss is likely due to a leak rather than evaporation.

2. Eliminate the Obvious

To save unnecessary time and expense, check the obvious first. Walk around the pool and look for wet areas on the ground or near the pump, filter, or pipe valves. If the pool has a vinyl liner, look for any tears near fittings, lights, steps, and corners. If you identify an area in the pool that seems to be leaking, perform a dye test. Turn off the pump and put a few drops of dye or pH indicator reagent into the suspected area. If it is sucked out, you’ve found the leak.

3. Conduct a 24-Hours ‘On’ Test

To locate whether the leak is in the pool or the plumbing, fill to mid-skimmer level and mark with tape. Then, turn on the pump, making sure to turn off any auto-fill settings. After 24 hours, check the water level. If the level has dropped, the leak is possibly in the plumbing. While the pump is running, check for leaks in the backwash line. A leak in this line means that the multi-port valve in the filter needs repair or a replacement. 

4. Run a 24-Hours ‘Off’ Test

The last step in leak detection is to leave the pump off for 24 hours. Fill the pool and mark levels as before, and turn off the pump and auto-fills. After 24 hours, check the water level. A similar amount of water loss to the ‘On’ test means that there is also a leak in the shell. Less water indicates that the only leak is in the plumbing. Now that you’ve narrowed it down, you should call the pool repair professionals for aid. 

If you suspect your pool has a leak, call the pool experts at Don Marcum's Pool Care in Cincinnati, OH. They offer complete repair, service, and installation for swimming pools and hot tubs, including leak detection and repair, winterization, and general maintenance. Call (513) 561-7050 to schedule an appointment or visit them online for a list of services.