If your pool lost water overnight and it is more than a quarter-inch due to evaporation, you probably have a leak. Evaporation accounts for a minor amount of water lost each day. Losing a half-inch or more overnight indicates a problem.
A covered pool or spa tub will lose very little water from evaporation in a 24-hour period. Here are the top three reasons for water loss:
Check the water level in your pool or spa tub before you cover it and turn off the pool pump system. If it drops below normal, you will know.
The bucket test can be used to determine water loss over 24 hours. Expect to lose about a quarter-inch in the uncovered bucket. A more significant water loss in the pool will indicate a leak.
|
YOUR POOL SIZE |
WATER WASTED DAILY |
WATER WASTED YEARLY |
|
20′ x 40′ 800 sq ft |
125 Gallons |
45,625 Gallons |
|
18′ x 36′ 648 sq ft |
101 Gallons |
36,865 Gallons |
|
16′ x 32′ 512 sq ft |
80 Gallons |
29,200 Gallons |
|
15′ x 30′ 450 sq ft |
70 Gallons |
25,550 Gallons |
|
14′ x 28′ 392 sq ft |
61 Gallons |
22,265 Gallons |
Note: This chart shows the results of water loss from a 1/4″ per day leak!
If the pool lost water overnight from the bucket test, the skimmer basket assembly is one of the first places to check for a leak. The recommended water level for most inground pools is about two-thirds above the base of the skimmer. The level will fluctuate as the pool's use changes. The water should settle to this level when the pump is off and the water is still.
Water must be above the intake line or pipe leading from the skimmer assembly to the filter and pump. If there is not enough water in the suction line, air will enter, harming the filter and the pump motor.
Always check the water level at this fitting and add more water if it is low. This step is also essential for a spa tub. Water must cover the intake lines and the jets.
Always check the return line in a pool. The pump sends clean and occasionally heated water into the pool. You may have a break in the return line, and water is not coming into the pool. That will account for water loss while the pump is on. Air may be the only element pumped into the pool. This will also damage the pump system.
It may be difficult to check the drain since it is at the lowest part of the pool. The intake line from the drain into the filter system may be loose. Check the drain area carefully for excessive dirt at the bottom of the pool. Dirt indicates that the drain is not working correctly.
The drain return line meets the line coming in from the skimmer assembly. It may be loose at that connection which can be under the deck. Water on the deck near the area where the connections meet can indicate a leak in that area.
We provide precise leak detection services to Brevard County and all of Florida. Call Aquaman Leak Detection if your pool loses water overnight. We offer fast service to repair leaks, including loose fittings under your deck. Our state-of-the-art ultrasound equipment will locate a leak under a slab by identifying the section needing repair without pulling apart the whole deck. We will also dive and check your drain system. You do not have to empty the pool.
How Can I Identify a Pool Leak?
The quickest way to identify a leak is by measuring pool water loss with a bucket test. Fill a bucket with water and place it in the pool overnight. After 24 hours measure the bucket water level loss and the pool water loss. If the levels match, you're experiencing evaporation.
How Much Water Loss in a Pool is Normal?
Residential pools tend to lose around a quarter-inch of water per day due to evaporation, especially during the summer. Including an enclosure and a pool cover can help reduce this loss. Additionally, heated pools and those with water features may evaporate faster than pools without these elements.
How Do You Stop Pool Water From Evaporating?
The best way to prevent evaporation is by covering your pool with a solar cover when not in use.
What Causes Pool Leaks?
Watch this quick video to learn more about what causes pool leaks in Florida.
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