How to Diagnose Pool Leaks
- 1). Turn off the heater to your pool, if you have one. A heater causes evaporation to increase and can make it appear that your pool is leaking when it is not. Watch the water level in your pool carefully without the added heat to see if the water loss continues at the same rate.
- 2). Look at your pool's surroundings. If your pool is not shaded by a fence, screen or trees, more water will evaporate from the pool than if it were partially covered. This may cause your water loss.
- 3). Consider that new water features may be the culprit. Waterfalls and fountains introduce more of your pool water to the air, increasing the rate at which it evaporates. If you have recently had a water feature installed, it is normal to notice more of a decrease in your pool's water level than you had prior to introducing the water feature.
- 4). Check the ground surrounding your swimming pool pump. If the ground is moist, this could indicate that your water loss is due to a leak in your pump or valves.
- 5). Measure the amount of water you pool loses every day on average. Do this for three days. After three days, turn the equipment off and measure the rate of water loss after 24 hours. If you lose less water on the day your equipment is off, you can safely assume that there is a leak somewhere in your pool equipment.
- 6). Fill a bucket partially full of water. Mark the water level of both the bucket and your swimming pool. Place the bucket next to the pool. After several days, measure the water loss suffered by both the bucket and your swimming pool. If evaporation is the culprit, the water loss should be the same. If your pool has lost more water than the bucket, however, you may have a leak.
