How to Tell If Your Pool Is Leaking or Just Evaporating
Julie noticed her water bill creeping higher, even though her kids had barely been in the pool that week. The pool looked a little low, but it had been hot lately, so she figured it was just evaporation. Two weeks later, the level dropped even more, her pump started making angry noises, and the water turned a weird shade of cloudy green. Turns out, she wasn’t dealing with evaporation at all. She had a slow leak that was slowly sabotaging her entire pool system.
If you’re in Northern California and trying to figure out whether your pool is just evaporating or leaking, you’re not alone. Let’s clear up the confusion and save you from more damage (and a higher water bill).
Normal Evaporation vs. Pool Leaks: Know the Signs
Yes, water evaporates—especially in the hot Loomis and Rocklin sun. But a leak is a different beast. Here's how you can spot the difference before things go sideways.
Normal Evaporation
Happens gradually: You lose about 1/8 to 1/4 inch per day in hot weather.
Uniform loss: The water level drops evenly.
Time of year matters: It gets worse in summer, especially with warm water and lots of sun.
A Leak Looks Like This
Water loss is faster: Losing more than 1/2 inch per day? That’s not just sunshine.
You spot soggy ground: Damp soil around the pool deck is a red flag.
Air in your system: Bubbling returns or air in the pump basket means water’s escaping somewhere.
You have to refill often: If you're topping off the pool every few days, it's probably leaking.
The Bucket Test: Old School But Reliable
This tried-and-true method can give you a clue without any fancy equipment:
Fill a bucket with pool water.
Place it on the pool step, partially submerged.
Mark the water level inside the bucket.
Mark the pool water level on the outside of the bucket.
Wait 24 hours.
If the pool water dropped more than the bucket water, you’ve likely got a leak.
Common Places Pools Leak (And Why It Matters)
Before you start ripping up tile, know where leaks like to hide:
Plumbing Lines
Cracked or aging plumbing lines underground can lead to invisible water loss. You won’t see it—but your water bill will.
Skimmers
Skimmer throats can separate from the concrete and form cracks over time. These are common and deceptively sneaky.
Return Fittings and Lights
Anything installed into your pool wall—jets, lights, drains—can be a suspect. Even a minor shift in structure can open gaps that leak water slowly but steadily.
The Pool Shell
Cracks in plaster or concrete? They’re more than cosmetic. Water can leak through and damage the pool structure.
Why Ignoring a Leak Costs More Than You Think
A slow leak might not seem like an emergency, but here’s what it can trigger:
Chemical imbalance: Losing water throws off your chemical levels, leading to cloudy water and algae blooms.
Equipment stress: Pumps run dry, leading to overheating or failure.
Water table pressure: Low water in the pool can cause structural shifts or cracks.
Higher utility bills: You're refilling constantly, and that water isn’t free.
What To Do If You Suspect a Leak
If you’ve done the bucket test and suspect a leak, don’t guess. Call in a professional leak detection service. We’ll pinpoint the source, make the repair, and reset your water balance so you can get back to swimming (instead of refilling).
Protect Your Pool from Bigger Problems
In warm, dry Northern California areas like Loomis, Lincoln, and Penryn, leaks and evaporation are both common—but only one of them requires a repair bill. If you’re unsure, it’s worth getting checked out sooner rather than later.
American Dream Pool & Spa Service provides expert pool and spa repair, leak detection, and maintenance services for swimming pool owners throughout Northern California. We proudly serve Loomis, Lincoln, Rocklin, Roseville, Granite Bay, Sheridan, and Penryn.
Don’t wait for a full-blown water crisis. If your pool is losing water, give us a call and we’ll help you figure out exactly what’s going on—and how to fix it.
American Dream Pool and Spa Service is a trusted provider of pool and spa maintenance, repair, and cleaning services. They serve the areas of Lincoln, Rocklin, Roseville, Granite Bay, and Sheridan, CA, offering comprehensive care for both residential and commercial pools. Their services include everything from routine maintenance to specialized repairs for pool and spa equipment, ensuring that every pool owner enjoys a clean, safe, and well-maintained pool or spa throughout the year. With a focus on customer satisfaction, American Dream Pool and Spa Service strives to keep pools in top condition, regardless of the season.
