How do I check my pool for leaks each season?

Check for leaks three times a year: a bucket test in spring, another in midsummer, and one in fall before you close the pool, with a weekly level reading and a walk around the equipment in between. A leak found in a day costs far less than one found after a season. The EPA says that small leaks can quickly turn into big leaks if they go unattended.^[1]

Spring: test before the season starts

Once the pool is open and balanced, run the bucket test described in how to do a bucket test for a pool leak. The EPA's version starts here. On a day without rain or heavy winds, shut down all pool systems (filtration systems, pool cleaners, automatic fills, etc.), and close the pool for 24 hours.^[1] Freezing water in equipment can crack it, so spring is a good time to find out.^[1]

While you are at it, walk the equipment pad. The EPA says leaks can be found in the pool liner, the pump seal, pool piping, the pool-to-pipe connection, pool edges, and in pipe joints.^[1] Look at the pump, filter, valves and unions for drips or staining. When you start the pump, watch it for a minute. Hayward's manual says: "If water leakage occurs from anywhere on the pump or filter, DO NOT start the pump."^[4] If you see water, shut it off and call a pro.

Also check for the signs the EPA lists: wet spots around the pool, or air bubbles in the water return pipeline or in the pump strainer can also be signs of leakage.^[1]

Summer: watch the level

Pick one day a week, mark the water level at the tile or skimmer, and write it down. The EPA says that if your pool is losing more than 2 inches of water per week, or 3 inches in hot, dry areas with high evaporation rates, then it is likely you have a leak.^[1] For scale, the City of Tampa's water department says it takes about 600 gallons to fill up an average pool by 2 inches.^[3]

A cover helps in two ways. The EPA says a pool cover can prevent up to 95 percent of pool water evaporation,^[2] which cuts the water you lose and makes any leak easier to see. The EPA adds a tip for tracking use. Installing a water meter can help you actively monitor water consumption and identify potential leaks.^[1]

Test the automatic fill

If your pool tops itself up, the fill can hide a leak. The EPA says that once every three months, the automatic fill should be shut off for 24 hours to test for leaks.^[1] It also says to confirm the valve itself shuts off: "Periodically confirm your fill valve is shutting off properly by plugging the overflow drain and monitoring if the pool level is rising."^[1] If the level rises, the EPA says the fill valve may be stuck in the open position and should be repaired or replaced.

Fall: close the pool tight

Run a final bucket test before you close up. If the pool is tight, you know any spring loss came over winter. Then prepare the equipment for the cold: the EPA says to drain water from equipment such as filters, pumps, heaters, and piping, as freezing water can cause cracks, which can later cause leaks.^[1] Our guide to winterizing an above-ground pool covers the rest.

Keep a simple log

A page with the date, the test result and what you saw is enough. If a leak does turn up, a pool professional can use your numbers to narrow the search, which can shorten the visit. For what a search can cost, see how much pool leak detection costs in Virginia.

Stop and call a pro if

• The pool loses more than the bucket. That is the sign of a leak, and finding it is a job for a pool professional. A repair that costs $1,000 or more needs a licensed contractor: the Board for Contractors says if the work you are considering is valued at $1,000 or more, a valid Virginia Contractor's License is required for the license category in which the contractor is to work.^[5]
• Equipment or the ground around it is wet. Pump motors and heaters carry mains voltage. Stay clear and do not touch wet equipment.
• The ground is soft or sinking, or the pool wall bulges. That can be structural. Stop using the pool.
• The pool loses water only while the pump runs. That points to the pressure side of the plumbing; see why a pool loses water only when the pump is running.

Getting help in Virginia

Browse pool equipment repair in Virginia or see more pool equipment repair answers.

When a check turns up a problem, describe the leak and licensed local pros can quote it.