There are three reasons why your pool water level is dropping:
A leak is the main cause of a lower water level in your pool and/or spa tub. Water loss due to evaporation will naturally occur, but only accounts for about a quarter inch a day. Although splashing can be avoided, leaks must be repaired.
A pool cover is the first defense against excessive evaporation in hot weather. Warm water evaporates faster than cold water since heat rises. You may not need a pool water heater during the summer months although your spa is usually set around 102 degrees Fahrenheit.
A cover protects outdoor pools and spas against dirt, twigs, bird droppings, leaves and petals. You should keep your spa tub covered when it is not in use to hold in heat. Pools should also be covered if they are not used extensively. For more info on how a pool cover can help reduce evaporation, check out this article.
Evaporation also affects your chemical balance. Stabilizers keep the chlorine from evaporating too fast. A leak will change your pH balance as the pool water level drops.
If the water level continues to drop beyond what naturally occurs with evaporation, check for leaks.
Start with the bucket test that will indicate a leak when your pool water level drops. It does not show you where the leak is, but it does explain the lower water level. There are several places to check that can be immediately repaired to save water.
Easy repairs include fixing all fittings where metal meets the pool surface. The connections to ladders and railings should be tight. A loose fitting may allow water to escape. The skimmer basket by the intake line should be tight. Check tiles and grouting along with underwater decorations on the pool's surface. They should be tight with no cracks.
Run your hands along the pool's surface and look for rough or uneven spots in gunite and concrete mix pools. This may indicate a crack that will grow into a large leak unless it is repaired. Check vinyl pool liners for tears. Many manufacturers of vinyl pools supply a patch kit for small repairs.
Plumbing leaks are the most difficult to locate. Check the intake and return lines to the pump and motor system for cracks or leaks. Water on the floor of the pump area is an indication of a leak in these lines.
Excess water on the decking around the pool is an indication of a plumbing leak underground. Aquaman Leak Detection uses its unique ultrasound equipment to find underground plumbing leaks. The deck does not need to be completely torn up to find a crack in a PVC pipe. This type of leak should be repaired immediately to prevent flooding the surrounding ground.
Leak prevention and repair are necessary for the life of your pool and the health of swimmers. You save on water and energy consumption with a leak-free pool. Contact Aquaman Leak Detection at the first sign of a leak for fast repairs.