Why Is My Swimming Pool Losing Water?

Filter

• The filter is responsible for circulating your pool water at a high rate of speed and will occasionally leak. The water travels through a network of hoses. Fittings that connect the pump and filter as well as the hoses that connect from the return jet and pool skimmer can leak. Inspect the pool hoses for cracks and feel around the hose fittings. If the hose clamps are not tight enough, water will leak. Place your hand near the fittings that connect the pump and filter to make sure they're not leaking.

Swimmer Usage

• Water levels will drop with normal swimmer usage. As people swim or jump into the pool, water spills over the side. Many times people overreact and think there's a leak in the pool somewhere when it's just a result of water spillover. When the water drops below the skimmer line, the pool must be refilled. The ideal water height of your pool should be somewhere between the halfway and two-thirds point of the skimmer's vertical height.

Evaporation

• Evaporation rates vary greatly by region. Factors that increase the rate of evaporation are increased winds, low humidity and warm temperature. On average, people lose about 1/2 to 2 inches of water per week from the surface of the pool. Evaporation is the process when liquids turn into vapor. Solar covers will reduce the rate of evaporation in your pool, which can be useful if you live in windy and warm climates with higher evaporation rates. Solar covers will also warm your pool water.

Liner Leaks

• Vinyl liner pools occasionally tear or puncture, causing slow but consistent leaks in your pool. Concrete or fiberglass in-ground pools can also crack, causing a leak. In both cases, a pool leak will waste a lot of water and lead to potential damage of your pool structure. To test for a leak in your liner, perform an evaporation test. Place a 5-gallon bucket of water alongside the pool and mark the water level of both the bucket and pool. Wait 24 hours, and if the pool loses more water than the bucket, you have a leak in your pool. If you have already ruled out swimmer usage and filter leaks, then the water loss is likely coming from the pool liner.