Swimming Pool Leaking?
by Ron Burr
My swimming pool water level keeps going down, do I have a leak or it is just evaporation? Find out how to check your pool for leaks and answer that question.
Try the bucket test – Shut the pool down, turn the pump off and do not allow it to turn back on until it is turned on manually. Use a 3 or 5 gallon plastic bucket, fill the bucket approximately half full and mark on the bucket the water level. Place the bucket on the top step of the pool and mark the water level of the pool. Evaluate both bodies of water after a 24 hour period and note the amount of drop in both the plastic bucket and the swimming pool. Upon checking the bucket and the pool measurement marks, if both loose about the same amount the water loss is most likely evaporation. If the pool goes down considerably more than the bucket the pool may have a leak.
Look and check the many places that a leak can occur in a swimming pool.
o Skimmer
o Lights
o Around the return lines
o Main drains
o Tile Lines
o Corners where waterline tile comes together
o Equipment Area – Check pump, filter, chlorinators, valves and plumbing
How can I tell how much water the pool is leaking?
This is an easy formula to check.
Inches Of Water Loss x .62 Gallons / Inch x Square Footage Of The Pool Surface Per Square Foot
Let’s try an example of a pool losing 1 inch of water per day.
15 Ft x 30 FT Rectangular Pool = 15 x 30 = 450 Square Ft of Surface Area
1″ x .62 x 450 = 279 Gallons of Water per Day OR 11.63 Gallons per Hour
Let’s try another example of a pool losing 3 inches of water per day.
14 Ft x 28 FT Rectangular Pool = 14 x 28 = 392 Square Ft of Surface Area
3″ x .62 x 392 = 729 Gallons of Water per Day OR 30 Gallons per Hour
Sometimes if may take several days to determine if a pool is actually leaking, many tests and monitoring of the pool level. Remember that once the bucket test has been done with the swimming pool pump off and results are determined; redo the test with the bucket while the pool pump is operating as normal. By doing both tests it can be very helpful to determine if an actual leak is in the body of the pool or possibly in the pool plumbing (piping) system. Many times when the pump is operating, the pressure of the water forces the water out of a plumbing leak causing the leak in the pool to be much greater. Leaks are many times very difficult to locate and repair, using these suggestions can help to locate and resolve your pool and spa leak situations.
Ron Bur owner of One Stop Pool Supplies http://www.onestoppoolsupplies.com , a great place to shop for all your pool and spa needs. Ron is a State of Florida licensed swimming pool contractor actively building swimming pool in South Florida.
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Tags: leak, leaking, swimming pools