Note: We do NOT offer leak detection services.

Many pool owners wonder if their pool is losing water due to a leak or just natural evaporation. Before reaching out to a professional leak detection company, it’s important to rule out evaporation as the cause. The most effective way to do this is by performing a simple and cost-effective test known as The Bucket Test.

What is the Bucket Test?

The Bucket Test helps determine if your pool is losing water due to evaporation or a possible leak.

Important:
Keep buckets away from small children to avoid accidents.

Steps to Perform the Bucket Test:

1. Bring pool water to its normal level
2. Fill a bucket with pool water until it’s about one inch from the top. This ensures that the air movement over the water in the bucket will be similar to that over the pool.
3. Place the bucket on a pool step so that it’s partially submerged, allowing the water temperature inside the bucket to match that of the pool. Use a brick or rocks to prevent the bucket from floating
   

   The Bucket Test is used to determine if the pool is losing water due to evaporation or a leak somewhere

4. Mark the water level inside the bucket with tape (or some other means)
5. Mark the pool’s water level on the outside of the bucket
6. Run your pool for 24 hours with the pump ON (on its regular schedule)
7. Run your pool for another 24 hours with the pump OFF
8. After 48 hours, compare the water levels

Analyzing the Results:

• If the pool’s water level drops more than the water level inside the bucket, you likely have a leak, and it’s time to call a professional leak detection service.
• If the water level drops more inside the bucket, an animal may have been drinking from it—yes, this happens!

By following these steps, you can quickly determine whether your pool is losing water due to evaporation or a more serious issue like a leak.