Is Your Pool Losing Water? Here's How to Tell If It’s a Leak or Just Evaporation
During a hot Oklahoma summer, it’s normal for your pool to lose some water. But how can you tell when it’s just evaporation—or something more serious like a leak?
As a locally and veteran owned company, Leak Detection Pros has helped countless pool owners figure out why their water levels are dropping. A small leak in your pool or its plumbing system can waste hundreds of gallons a day, cause expensive structural damage, or even impact your pool equipment.
Here’s how to tell the difference between normal evaporation and a leak that needs attention.
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.
🌞 Understanding Normal Pool Evaporation
It’s totally normal for pools to lose 1/8 to 1/4 inch of water per day in hot, sunny weather—especially if it’s windy, dry, or you’re running your heater. Factors that increase evaporation include:
High temperatures
Direct sunlight (especially in pools without covers)
Low humidity
Wind exposure
Frequent use or splashing
If you're seeing about 1–2 inches per week of water loss, it may just be evaporation. Anything more than that should raise a red flag.
🚨 Signs Your Pool Might Be Leaking
Here are a few warning signs that your pool is losing more than just surface water:
Water loss is more than 2 inches per week
Constant need to refill the pool
Air bubbles in the return lines
Cracks or gaps around the pool shell or tile
Wet spots or erosion around the pool deck
Increased chemical use or imbalance
Soggy spots in the yard (especially near underground plumbing)
🪣 Try the Bucket Test
Not sure if it’s evaporation or a leak? Do a simple bucket test:
Fill a bucket with pool water and place it on a pool step (weigh it down if needed).
Mark the water level inside the bucket and the pool water level on the outside.
Leave it for 24–48 hours without using the pool.
Compare the two water levels.
If both the bucket and the pool drop the same amount, it’s likely evaporation.
If the pool level drops more than the bucket, you probably have a leak.
🛠️ What Causes Pool Leaks?
Pool leaks can happen in several areas, including:
Plumbing lines (especially suction and return lines underground)
Skimmers, lights, or fittings that have aged or cracked
Structural issues like cracks in the shell, liner, or tile
Equipment pads or pumps with loose or cracked connections
These are often hard to spot without specialized equipment—and guessing can lead to unnecessary digging or wasted repairs.
🎯 How Leak Detection Pros Can Help
At Leak Detection Pros, we use sonic leak detection tools to pinpoint the leak without damaging your pool or yard. We specialize in:
Pool & spa leak detection
Pool plumbing leak detection
Medium-grade pool leak repairs
Partnerships with pool companies for seamless handoff to repairs
Whether you’re a pool owner noticing unusual water loss or a pool company looking for a trusted detection partner—we’re here to help you find the problem fast and fix it right.
💧 Don’t Let a Small Leak Turn Into a Big Problem
If you suspect a leak, don’t wait. Call Leak Detection Pros today at 918.200.9533 or reach out to schedule service. We proudly serve Tulsa and surrounding areas with prompt, precise, and professional service—because your pool should be full of fun, not frustration.
Check out our social medias for more information: