DIY Bucket Test for Pool Leaks

American Leak Detection of Arkansas

Do You Have a Leak in Your Pool?

Are you wondering if water loss in your pool is the result of a leak or evaporation? The bucket test is an easy way to rule out pool leaks without calling a professional.

How to Perform the Bucket Test:

1. Have your pool filled to its standard level. Using a five-gallon bucket, fill it one inch from the top with pool water. If you are performing this on a commercial pool, turn any autofill valve off and close access to the pool. Homeowners also need to check if they have an auto-fill device and turn it off.
2. Immerse the bucket in the pool to about five inches. Setting it on the first or second step of your pool should suffice.
3. Mark the water level inside the bucket and the water level outside the bucket.
4. Come back in 24 hours to compare the inside water level to the outside water level. If the water level outside the bucket has dropped more than the water level inside the bucket, you likely have a pool leak and need to call a professional.
5. 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. After the test, use our pool water loss calculator to find out how much water is being lost to the leak.

How to Perform 48-Hour Test:

1. Fill the pool to normal level. Turn pump on for 24 hourss to determine how many inches the pool is loosing.
2. Fill pool back up to normal level. Turn pump off for 24 hours to determine how many inches the pool is loosing.

Did the above tests show positive signs of a leak? Call American Leak Detection of Arkansas at (501) 365-2746 to schedule an appointment