This article is part of our comprehensive resource: The Ultimate Guide to Finding and Fixing Pool Leaks in South East Queensland. Click here to return to the main guide.
So, you’ve gone through our checklist and suspect your pool might have a leak. The big question for many pool owners across South East Queensland is: are you losing water to a leak or just to evaporation from our beautiful, and often intense, sunshine?
Before calling in the professionals, there is a brilliantly simple and reliable test you can do yourself. It’s called the “Bucket Test,” and it will give you a clear answer in just 24 hours.
What You'll Need:
- A standard 10-15 litre plastic bucket
- A heavy weight (like a brick or large rock)
- A waterproof marker or a piece of electrical tape
How to Perform the Test: Step-by-Step
- Place the Bucket in the Pool: Put the weight inside the bucket and place it on the second step of your pool.
- Equalise Water Levels: Add water to the bucket until the water level inside is precisely the same as the pool water level outside.
- Turn Off the Pool System: Turn your pool pump, filter, and any automatic fillers off at the circuit breaker for 24 hours.
- Mark the Water Level: With the water calm, use your marker to precisely mark the water level on both the inside and the outside of the bucket.
- Wait 24 Hours: Leave the bucket completely undisturbed for a full day.
Interpreting the Results
- If the water levels inside and outside the bucket have dropped by the same amount: Congratulations! The water loss is due to normal evaporation.
- If the water level in the pool has dropped more than the water level in the bucket: This is a clear sign that you have a leak somewhere in your pool.
My Bucket Test Shows a Leak. Now What?
The bucket test is a fantastic diagnostic tool, but it doesn’t pinpoint the leak’s location. Finding the exact source requires specialised equipment and expertise.