When your pool water starts to constantly drop levels, it can be quite concerning as a pool owner. Is it just evaporation from hot weather? Or is your pool actually leaking? The good news: you don’t need special equipment or expert tools to get an initial confirmation of your suspicion…
The DIY Bucket Test is a simple and reliable method homeowners can use in just 24 hours to determine whether a pool is losing water due to normal evaporation — or a leak somewhere in the system.
What Is the Bucket Test — and Why Does It Work?
A pool in Broward or Palm Beach County naturally evaporates a little each day — especially in full sun. But a leak causes a greater drop in the pool’s water level than evaporation alone.
By placing a bucket filled with pool water on a pool step, the bucket experiences only evaporation — no plumbing leaks, no structural leaks. This creates a perfect side-by-side comparison:
- If both water levels drop the same ➜ Likely evaporation
- If the pool drops more than the bucket ➜ Leak suspected ⚠️
This makes it one of the easiest diagnostic tests you can do yourself.
What You’ll Need
- A standard 5-gallon bucket
- Waterproof tape or a permanent marker
- Access to pool steps or a shallow ledge
- 24 hours of normal weather (no storms or splashing)
How to Perform the Bucket Test — Step by Step
To ensure accurate results, follow each step carefully:
1. Turn Off Your Pool Equipment
Shut down the pump, heater, and waterfall features — water movement can change the level.
2. Fill the Bucket
Place it on a pool step and fill with pool water so the inside level matches the pool water outside.
3. Mark the Water Levels
- Inside mark = water level inside bucket
- Outside mark = water level on the pool side
A small piece of waterproof tape or a marker works great.
4. Wait 24 Hours
Avoid swimming or splashing during this period.
5. Compare Results
After one full day:
| Result | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Both dropped equally | Normal evaporation ✅ |
| Pool dropped more than bucket | There is likely a leak 🚩 |
Pro Tip: Run It Twice for Accuracy
South Florida weather changes fast. If it rains, redo the test for a clean reading.
What If You Confirm a Leak?
Not all leaks look the same. What you find next can help narrow the cause:
| Symptom | Possible Issue |
|---|---|
| Water only drops while pump runs | Plumbing leak in circulation lines |
| Wet spots around pool decking | Underground leak |
| Debris or air blowing from returns | Air being sucked into plumbing |
| Visible cracks or tile shifting | Structural leak |
If the pool is leaking faster when equipment is OFF — the leak could be in the structure or skimmer area.
If it leaks more when ON — plumbing is the likely culprit.
Next Steps After a Positive Bucket Test
Here’s what you should do next:
- Repeat the test once to confirm
- Note how much water is being lost daily
- Keep equipment OFF until the issue is diagnosed
- Contact professionals for full leak detection + repair
Leaks rarely stay small — water intrusion can cause:
- Pool surface damage
- Deck lifting
- Chemical inefficiency
- Higher electric and heating costs
- Erosion under and around the pool
Catching leaks early protects your investment and prevents deeper structural issues.
Consulting Local Leak Detection Experts You Can Rely On
Near Me Pools provides full professional leak inspection and repair services throughout:
✅ Broward County (Fort Lauderdale, Coral Springs, Pompano Beach, Plantation, Weston, etc.)
✅ Palm Beach County (Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Wellington, etc.)
We carefully diagnose the exact leak source and recommend the most cost-efficient repair solutions — whether it’s:
- Skimmer leaks
- Structural cracks
- Underground plumbing failures
- Equipment pad leaks
- Tile damage or grout issues
Think You Have a Leak? We Can Help.
Don’t let water (and money) disappear without answers.
If your bucket test shows signs of trouble, our experts are ready to step in.
Schedule Leak Detection — Fast, Accurate, Affordable
📍 Local pool service you can trust
📱 Call: (954) 478-8783
ℹ️ More on Pool Leak Detection services
