Owning a swimming pool is one of the great pleasures of living in Central Florida. It provides a place to relax, exercise, entertain family and friends, and cool off during the hottest months of the year. But if you are a first-time pool owner, there is one important topic you may not have considered: pool leaks.
If you’ve never owned a house with a pool before — or recently had a pool installed — the possibility of a leak may not be top-of-mind. In the first case, the lack of experience can account for not being able to recognize signs of trouble. In the second case, most people don’t expect a new pool to develop a leak, although it can, due to improper construction or installation.
Moreover, Central Florida’s hot summers can lead first-time pool owners to assume that water loss is due to evaporation — having no basis of comparison between normal evaporation versus water loss due to a leak. Understanding the basics of pool leaks can help you avoid higher water bills, equipment damage, and costly repairs.
How Much Water Loss is Normal?
Every swimming pool loses some water naturally due to evaporation, especially during hot, sunny, or windy weather. In most cases, pools lose about 1/8 to 1/4 inch of water per day. If your pool is losing significantly more water than that, a leak may be the cause.
If you find yourself adding water more than once a week, it is worth taking a closer look.
Common Signs of a Pool Leak
Pool leaks often develop gradually, making them easy to overlook. As a new pool owner, keep an eye out for these warning signs:
- Frequent need to add water.
- Higher-than-normal water bills.
- Wet or soggy spots in the yard near the pool.
- Cracks in pool decking or surrounding concrete.
- Loose tiles or shifting coping.
- Air bubbles in return lines.
- Algae growth despite proper chemical treatment.
- Constant operation of an automatic fill system.
- Water pooling around pumps, filters, or heaters.
Even a small leak can waste thousands of gallons of water over time.
Where Do Pool Leaks Occur?
Many first-time pool owners assume that leaks only occur in underground plumbing. In reality, leaks can develop in several areas.
Pool plumbing — Underground pipes can crack, shift, or separate over time due to soil movement, settling, or age. Plumbing leaks often create damp spots in the yard or unusually green patches of grass.
Skimmers — Pool skimmers are among the most common leak locations. Small cracks can develop where the skimmer meets the pool shell, especially in older pools.
Pool lights and fittings — Returns, drains, lights, and other fittings penetrate the pool shell and can develop leaks around seals or gaskets over time.
Structural cracks — Concrete pools can occasionally develop cracks due to settling, ground movement, or age. These leaks require prompt attention to prevent further damage.
Equipment pads — Pumps, filters, valves, and heaters can also leak. A leak here may be easier to see because water can collect around the equipment pad. Look for the following:
- Puddles, damp spots, or soil erosion right next to the pad base.
- White mineral rings, powdery salt trails, or rust streaks from water that evaporated.
- Active weeping — Slow drops or fine sprays at PVC union joints, threaded adapters, or tank clamps while under pressure.
A Simple Test Every Pool Owner Should Know
If you suspect your pool has a leak, performing the evaporation “bucket test” is an easy first step in your investigation. Our website has a page with instructions for this easy test, as well as two other DIY detection methods. Here are instructions for the bucket test:
- Fill a bucket with pool water.
- Place the bucket on a pool step so the water level inside the bucket is similar to the
pool water level. - Mark the water level inside the bucket and outside on the pool.
- Wait 24 hours with the pump turned off.
- Compare the water loss.
If the pool water level drops more than the water inside the bucket, you likely have a leak rather than simple evaporation. However, while the bucket test can help identify whether water loss is abnormal, it cannot pinpoint the source. Our blog post — “Why DIY Pool Leak Detection Often Misses the Real Problem” — covers this issue in detail.
Why Early Detection Matters
A pool leak is more than an inconvenience. Left undetected and unrepaired, it can result in the following:
- Increased water bills.
- Wasted chemicals.
- Overworked pumps and filtration systems.
- Damage to pool decking and landscaping.
- Soil erosion beneath the pool.
- Expensive structural repairs.
Finding a leak early is almost always less expensive than waiting until damage becomes visible.
When to Call a Professional
As a first-time pool owner, suspecting that your pool has a leak can be stressful. If you’ve performed basic DIY tests that indicate your pool is losing more water than evaporation accounts for — or if the tests are inconclusive — it’s time to call a professional.
Certified Leak Detection uses technology and techniques we have developed over 30 years in business. We specialize in non-invasive methods — including acoustic equipment and dye testing — to pinpoint leaks without unnecessary damage to your pool or surrounding property.
In addition to quick detection of pool leaks for residential and commercial properties, we provide industry-leading leak detection for spas and hot tubs, as well as slabs and foundations. Serving areas throughout Central Florida — including Orlando, Longwood, Lake Mary, Sanford, Kissimmee, Clermont and Winter Springs — our team is ready to answer your call. Contact us for quick, reliable service!