Pool Evaporation vs Leak in Gilbert: How to Tell
A falling water level is common during an Arizona summer, but there is a point when normal evaporation stops being a convincing explanation. In August, heat, dry air, wind and frequent swimming can all remove water from a backyard pool. A plumbing problem can look almost identical at first.
Knowing the difference matters. A leak can waste water, raise utility bills and allow damage to spread around the pool or equipment pad. Before adding water every few days, watch how the pool behaves and carry out a simple comparison test.
Expect Some Water Loss During a Gilbert Summer
Arizona pools lose considerable water through evaporation. The Arizona Department of Water Resources reports that a standard uncovered pool may lose four to six feet over a year, with most of that loss occurring during summer.
The rate changes from day to day. Hot temperatures, low humidity and moving air speed up evaporation. Waterfalls and fountains expose more water to the air, while swimming removes water through splashing and wet swimsuits.
A small, steady drop during a hot week may therefore be normal. A sudden change, or a pool that needs frequent refilling despite similar weather and use, deserves closer attention.
Try the Bucket Test
The bucket test compares water loss from the pool with evaporation from a smaller container under the same conditions.
Turn off automatic filling equipment and choose a 24 hour period without rain or unusually strong wind. Fill a bucket with pool water and place it on a pool step so most of the bucket is submerged. Mark the water level inside the bucket and mark the pool level outside it.
Check both marks the next day. If the pool and bucket lost roughly the same amount, evaporation is the likely cause. If the pool dropped noticeably farther, a leak may be present.
The Environmental Protection Agency recommends this test as a practical first check. It does not locate a leak, but it helps show whether professional inspection is justified.
Watch for Other Leak Warning Signs
Water loss is rarely the only clue. Look around the pool, equipment pad and nearby ground for changes that do not match normal summer conditions.
Possible signs include damp soil that never dries, cracks around the deck, loose tile, air entering the pump basket or water collecting near plumbing connections. A pool that loses more water while the pump runs may have a pressure side plumbing issue.
Automatic water levelers can hide a problem because they replace lost water without drawing attention to the falling level. An unexplained increase in the water bill may be the first warning.
Check Simple Causes First
Not every unusual drop comes from buried plumbing. Inspect the filter equipment for leaking valves, loose fittings and water around the pump. Check the backwash line to make sure water is not escaping when the system runs.
Look at the cleaner hose, skimmer area, light fixture and visible tile line. Water may also be blown out of a raised spa or decorative feature during windy weather. A busy swimming weekend can produce temporary loss through splashing.
Do not keep topping up a pool indefinitely when the cause remains unexplained. Fresh water changes the chemical balance and can make regular maintenance more difficult.
Why Prompt Repair Matters
A small leak can become more expensive when ignored. Escaping water may wash away soil, affect the deck or create problems around buried lines. Low water can also interfere with skimming and allow the pump to draw air.
The Town of Gilbert encourages residents to investigate suspected leaks as part of local water conservation. Finding the problem early protects the property and avoids wasting treated water during the hottest part of the year.
Call Pool Service Gilbert for Pool Leak Help
Pool Service Gilbert provides pool plumbing repair, weekly cleaning, filter service and equipment inspection throughout Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, Tempe, Ahwatukee and Phoenix. If your pool is losing more water than summer evaporation can explain, call 480-748-3022 for a professional evaluation and free quote before a small leak turns into a larger repair.
References
Pool Service Gilbert: Plumbing Leak Services
Pool Service Gilbert: Weekly Pool Cleaning
Arizona Department of Water Resources: Pools and Spas
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Jump Into Pool Water Efficiency
