BUCKET TEST FOR POOL LEAKS
IS YOUR POOL LOSING WATER?
Pools naturally lose some water every day due to evaporation, sunlight, wind, and humidity. However, if you notice your water level dropping faster than usual, you may have a leak. Common leak points include the pool’s surface, plumbing lines, seals, or anywhere two different materials meet.
The bucket test is a quick and reliable way to determine whether your water loss is normal or caused by a leak.
Quick Results (Read This First):
- If the pool drops more than the bucket → likely leak
- If both drop evenly → likely evaporation/weather
- If the pool drops more when the pump is running → possible plumbing/spa leak
Bucket test points to a leak? Schedule professional pool leak detection.
👉 Schedule Online
📞 (813) 968-3232
HOW TO PERFORM THE BUCKET TEST
🔴 Important: If your pool has an auto-fill device, turn it off before starting.
BUCKET TEST (PUMP OFF – 24 HOURS)
1) Set your pool water level
Fill your pool to its normal operating level (about halfway up the skimmer opening).
2) Prepare the bucket
Use a clean 5-gallon bucket and fill it with pool water to about 3 inches from the top.
3) Place the bucket on a step or sun shelf
Set the bucket on the top step (or a sun shelf) so it won’t tip.
The pool water outside the bucket should cover the bucket by about 4–6 inches.
4) Mark both water levels
Use tape or a waterproof marker to mark:
- The water level inside the bucket
- The pool water level outside the bucket (use the bucket as your reference point)
5) Keep the pool undisturbed
No swimming, no pets, and no splashing during the test. Splash-out can skew results.
6) Wait 24 hours
Allow the pool to sit undisturbed for a full 24 hours.
7) Check results
Compare the two marks:
- If the outside pool level drops more than inside the bucket → your pool likely has a leak
- If both levels drop evenly → the water loss is due to normal evaporation
RAIN NOTE (SHORT + CLEAR)
⚠️ Rain will not negate the test as long as the bucket and pool are both exposed to the same rain. You are comparing the difference between the bucket and the pool, not the total rise/fall.
Example: If rain adds ½”, both the bucket and pool rise about ½”. After 24 hours, compare the difference between the two marks.
RESULTS TABLE (FEATURED SNIPPET FRIENDLY)
| Result | What It Means | What To Do |
|---|---|---|
| Pool drops more than bucket | Likely leak | Book leak detection |
| Same drop | Evaporation/weather | Monitor & retest if needed |
| More loss when pump is ON | Possible plumbing/spa leak | Run the pump-on test below |
| Water stops at skimmer/light/return | Leak at that level | Book inspection |
BUCKET TEST (PUMP ON – 24 HOURS)
(Only if Pump OFF shows no difference)
If there is no difference between the bucket and pool after the pump-off test, run the test again with your system operating normally. This helps determine if there’s a leak in the spa or plumbing that only shows while the pool is running.
1) Turn the system back on
Let the pool run its normal schedule for the next 24 hours.
2) After 24 hours, check the marks again
When the equipment is off, compare the bucket mark to the pool mark:
- If the pool water is further off the mark than the bucket → you likely have a leak
- This often points to a plumbing line leak or related issue
✅ If your pump-on test shows a leak, schedule professional pool leak detection to pinpoint the exact source.
WHY THE BUCKET TEST MATTERS
Even a small leak can waste hundreds of gallons of water per week, raise your water bills, and cause costly damage to your pool and property. In Florida, pool leaks are important to catch early due to local soil conditions that can worsen underground issues over time.
Here’s why you shouldn’t ignore the warning signs:
- Higher water bills – Leaks can add up to thousands in wasted water annually
- Structural damage – Pool decks and surrounding areas may crack or shift
- Wasted chemicals – Chemicals are lost along with the water
- Environmental concerns – Excess water waste impacts the local supply
- Underground damage risk – Addressing leaks early helps prevent bigger problems
WHAT TO DO IF THE BUCKET TEST SHOWS A LEAK
If your bucket test suggests a leak, don’t wait.
Stop paying for water you’re losing. We’ll find the leak and give you repair options.
✅ Residential & commercial service
📞 Call Leak Wizard: (813) 968-3232
👉 Schedule online
We proudly serve Central Florida and Florida’s West Coast — including Tampa, Orlando, Sarasota, Clearwater, and Lakeland — helping homeowners and businesses protect their pools and avoid costly damage.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW LONG SHOULD I RUN THE BUCKET TEST?
24 hours is usually enough. If you want more certainty, run it for 48 hours.
SHOULD THE PUMP BE ON OR OFF DURING THE BUCKET TEST?
Start with pump OFF for 24 hours. If there’s no difference, repeat with the pump running normally for another 24 hours.
HOW MUCH WATER LOSS IS NORMAL?
Evaporation varies, but steady loss above normal evaporation rates is worth testing—especially if you’re refilling often.
WHAT IF THE WATER LEVEL STOPS AT THE SKIMMER OR THE LIGHT?
That often indicates the leak is near that level (skimmer, light niche, returns, or a crack).