THE BUCKET TEST

To determine if your pool has a leak, or not, you can do a simple test that will be the first step in resolving your problem. The procedure is called the Bucket Test.

Stage 1

Get a bucket or dish pan that holds at least 1 gallon of water. 

1. Fill the bucket to near the top with pool water. 
2. Mark the level in the bucket with a marker or piece of tape. 
3. Set the bucket in the pool on a step, if possible. If you do not have a step set the bucket as near the pool as possible. This then ensures that the bucket is in the same sunlight and wind conditions as the pool.

            (Note: If you are heating the pool, the bucket MUST stay in the pool

             to be under the same conditions as the pool water.)

        4.  Mark the water level in the pool with a piece of tape.

        5.  Run the pool equipment for 24 hrs., then measure the change of  

             water levels in the bucket and the pool.

The amount of water loss from the bucket is evaporation. If the pool loses the same amount, then there is no leak, only water loss due to evaporation.

If the pool loss is more than the bucket, continue with Stage 2.

Stage 2

You have determined that your pool is losing more than than just through evaporation. Next you can use the bucket test to determine whether the leak is in the structure or the lines underground.

1. Write down EXACTLY the amount of water level change in the bucket and the pool, to the 1/8th of an inch. (For instance, “bucket lost 1/8 inch water in 24 hrs. and pool lost 3/8 inch water in 24 hrs.)
2. Re-mark new water levels in bucket and pool
3. Turn your pool equipment OFF for 24 hours
4. Re-measure new water levels in bucket and pool

How much did each lose? If the loss is the same from both pool and bucket, with the pool not running, this would point to an underground leak in your plumbing. (During Stage 1 you lost more water from pool then the bucket with equipment running.)

If you still lost water from the pool at about the same rate as Stage 1 (Equipment running), this would indicate a structural leak. The most common structural leaks are cracks in the skimmers and leaking pool light conduits.

At this point call and let us know your bucket test results.