Summers and swimming pools have a nostalgic relationship. The hotter it gets the greater is the desire to spend time in the water.
Having a pool in your backyard is fun no doubt, but it is also a big responsibility on you as a homeowner. All your plans of partying, fitness and fun can go for a toss if you don’t take care of your pool properly.
Pool leaks can only ruin your summer fun while also making your water bills skyrocket. Here is a simple test you can use to identify potential leaks before they become a big problem.
Certified Leak Detection Bucket Test
While there is a set amount of water your swimming pool or spa will lose to evaporation every year, or even every month, this is a relatively small amount. If you are losing so much water that you have to add water back to your pool or spa once a week, then you probably have a leak!
This is especially true in Central Florida, where high humidity levels cause our pools to lose much less water from evaporation compared to other states. In fact, many pool owners across Florida find they have to drain their pool, rather than add water back in.
Are you experiencing higher than normal water loss to your pool or spa? Wondering whether you have a leak?
Here’s a simple, yet proven test for testing the true cause of pool or spa water evaporation.
Step 1
Make sure your pool or spa has a normal level of water (for most pools, this means the water comes up halfway along the perimeter tile.)
Step 2
Turn off/disable any outside water features, such as fountains or waterfalls. Then, turn off all swimming pool equipment using your circuit breaker. Wait 5-10 minutes for the water in your pool or spa to calm, leaving no ripples or waves.
Step 3
Place a 5-Gallon bucket on the top step of your pool or spa. Then, fill the test bucket with water, leaving 2-3 inches of room at the top.
Step 4
Using a marker or a piece of tape, label the water level on the inside of the test bucket. Then, label the outside of the test bucket to record where the pool or spa level meets the bucket.
Step 5
Wait 24 hours. Then, measure how much water evaporation has occurred both inside the test bucket and where the pool or spa level meets the outside of the bucket.
Is the level of evaporation the same? Or, did your pool or spa lose more water than the test buck? If you answered “Yes” to the second question, you probably have a leak.
Note: Be sure to place the test bucket on a step closest to the pool or spa water.
That way, the water within the bucket maintains the same temperature as the pool or spa. Also, be sure to monitor the evaporation level of an attached hot tub, if there is one. This could also be the source of a slab leak!
Lastly, always call a pool leak expert if you suspect you have a swimming pool leak! The sooner you get the issue repaired, the sooner you can prevent more damage and loss to occur!
If you are in and around Orange County, Orlando, Kissimmee, Altamonte Springs, Winter Garden, Winter Park, Apopka, Maitland, Seminole County, Oviedo, Longwood, Winter Springs, Brevard County, Osceola County, Volusia County or Lake County, contact Certified Leak Detection, pool professionals.
We have been in the business of swimming pool leak detection across Central Florida for decades!
For all your pool care needs throughout the year call Certified Leak Detection now.
Happy swimming!
