Is Your Pool Losing Water? How Lower Hudson Valley Homeowners Can Spot a Leak Early

Every pool loses some water. That’s just part of owning one. Evaporation, splashing, and swimmers getting in and out all contribute to a gradual drop in water level that’s completely normal. But if you’re finding yourself topping off your pool every few days, or noticing the level dropping faster than usual, something else may be going on. A leak, even a small one, can quietly cause serious damage if it goes undetected.

How to Tell the Difference

The hardest part of identifying a leak is distinguishing it from normal water loss. A good starting point is the bucket test. Fill a bucket with pool water, place it on a step so it sits partially submerged, and mark the water level inside and outside the bucket. Leave it for 24 hours without running any water features. If the pool has dropped significantly more than the bucket, you’re likely looking at a leak rather than evaporation.

Hot, windy days can accelerate evaporation enough to mimic a slow leak, so it’s worth repeating the test a couple of times before drawing conclusions.

Where Leaks Tend to Hide

Leaks don’t always announce themselves. They tend to show up in places that aren’t immediately visible, which is part of what makes them tricky.

Underground plumbing is one of the most common sources. Pipes that run beneath the deck or yard can crack from ground movement, age, or freeze damage during a hard winter. You won’t see the water going anywhere, but your level will keep dropping.

Equipment connections are another frequent culprit. The fittings and seals around your pump, filter, heater, and valves take a lot of wear over time. Look for moisture, white mineral deposits, or corrosion around your equipment pad as a sign that something is seeping.

The pool shell itself can develop cracks, particularly around fittings, steps, and areas where the ground shifts. Gunite pools are durable but not immune to this, and vinyl liners can tear or pull away from skimmer faceplates over time.

Skimmers and return jets where the fittings meet the pool wall are also common leak points, especially in pools that have been through many seasons of temperature swings.

Why You Shouldn’t Wait It Out

A leak that seems minor can escalate quickly. Beyond the obvious cost of wasting water and the chemicals you’ve added to it, an ongoing leak can erode the soil beneath your pool, destabilize the surrounding deck, and put stress on your pool’s structure. Equipment that runs while water levels are low can also overheat and fail prematurely.

The longer a leak goes unaddressed, the more expensive the eventual fix tends to be.

When to Call a Professional

If the bucket test points to a leak and you can’t find an obvious source at the equipment pad, it’s time to bring in a professional. Leak detection involves specialized equipment and techniques that go well beyond a visual inspection. A trained technician can pinpoint the source accurately and get it repaired before the damage compounds.

Cool Pool offers leak detection and repair services for pool owners across the area. If something seems off with your water level, don’t wait. Reach out to schedule an appointment and get a straight answer about what’s going on.