7 Signs Your Pool Has a Leak
Quick answer
The most common signs of a pool leak are: losing more than 1/4 inch of water per day, an auto-fill that runs constantly, wet or sinking spots around the pool, visible cracks, air bubbles in the return jets, rising water bills, and water loss that stops at a specific level. A bucket test helps confirm a leak, and professional leak detection pinpoints the exact source.
1. Water loss faster than normal evaporation
In Texas, normal evaporation is roughly 1/8 to 1/4 inch per day. Consistently losing more than that is the clearest early sign of a leak.
2. Your auto-fill never stops
If your auto-fill device runs constantly or you're topping off the pool by hand every few days, water is escaping somewhere.
3. Wet, soggy, or sinking spots
Saturated areas around the deck, equipment pad, or yard often indicate an underground plumbing leak.
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4. Visible cracks
Cracks in plaster, tile, or the shell — common with Texas clay soils — can leak and tend to worsen over time.
5. Air bubbles in the return jets
Air returning through the jets points to a suction-side plumbing leak drawing air into the system.
6. Rising water bills
An unexplained jump in your water bill frequently traces back to a leaking pool.
7. Water loss that stops at a certain level
If the water drops to the skimmer mouth or a return fitting and then stops, the leak is almost always at that fitting — a classic, locatable sign.
How to confirm a leak yourself
The bucket test is the simplest DIY check:
- Fill a bucket with pool water and set it on a step so the inside and outside water lines match.
- Mark both levels and wait 24 hours (pump running normally).
- If the pool drops noticeably more than the bucket, you likely have a leak.