Often times in the summer customers notice their pool level lowering and assume it means they have a leak in their pool somewhere unseen. Many times this can be the result of a notable temperature difference occurring between the air and the water, often happening at night when the air temperature drops below the pool water temperature. This bucket test allows us to diagnose if the lowering water level is in fact due to evaporation. We ask that our customers have this completed prior to sending our crew out to prevent the unnecessary expense on their behalf.

How to Perform the Bucket Test

1. Have your pool filled to its standard level and turn the equipment off. Please ensure no one is using the pool for the 24 hour duration of the test.

2. Using a 5 gallon bucket, place a strip of tape vertically on the outside of the bucket and on the inside of the bucket. Fill it 1 inch from the top with pool water. Homeowners also need to check if they have an auto-fill device and turn it off.

3. Immerse the bucket in the pool in at least a few inches of water. Setting it on the first or second step of your pool should suffice.

4. Mark the water level inside the bucket and the water level outside the bucket.

5. Come back in 24 hours to compare the inside water level to the outside water level. It is normal to have up to 1/4 inch difference between the water levels. If the difference between the water levels is more than 1/4 inch, there may be a leak present.

Make a note to check the bucket at exactly the 24 hour mark, as waiting longer than this can give inaccurate results. If it rains you will have to wait and start over when there is a clear forecast. The test can give inaccurate results if the bucket has a crack or hole in it, or if animals drink from the bucket or disturb it.