How much water can a pool lose in a week?

Author: Lionel Schaefer  |  Last update: Monday, March 21, 2022

The average pool water evaporation rate is about a quarter of an inch of water per day or more than two inches in a week, which on a 33′ x 18′ swimming pool (an average pool size) is more than 2500 liters or approximately 600 gallons a week; this may vary depending on your climate and the factors listed above.

How much should pool water level drop?

On average, swimming pools lose about a quarter of an inch of water each day, yet variations in wind intensity, humidity and sunlight can drastically change water loss rates. Some of the strongest and most intense wind in the country can be found in mountainous regions.

How do I know if my pool is leaking or evaporating?

You can do the “bucket test” on your pool to measure evaporation. Place a bucket of water beside the pool and mark both the water in the bucket and the pool water level. Wait 24 hours then check the loss of both. If the pool loses more water than the bucket, then you have a leak.

How much water can evaporate out of a pool in a day?

Depending on various environmental factors—including your location, average daily temperature, and the amount of sun your pool gets every day—your pool may lose more than half a centimeter of water every day. This translates to just under five centimeters a week, on average.

How many gallons of water does a pool lose per day?

For an even easier and quick estimate, many people suggest using a linear loss rate of 0.25 inches of water per day during the summer. Using this rule of thumb, a typical 500 square foot pool may lose about 78 gallons of water per day.

Does my pool have a leak, or is it just evaporation?

Can a pool lose an inch of water a day?

Pool Is Losing 1 Inch of Water Per Day

Losing more than ½” of pool water per day indicates you likely have a leak in your pool's structure or your pool pump system. You should call your pool service for a thorough leak inspection. You might not be able to keep up with refilling your pool at this point.

How often should you add water to your pool?

This will vary depending upon several factors including: weather, if the pool is covered or not, bather load, and if it is heated or not. With pools that are covered, a good rule of thumb is that they should not have to be refilled more often than once every 2 weeks.

Why does my pool keep losing water?

Typically, pools lose water for one of two reasons: Evaporation or a leak. Evaporation naturally occurs in any body of water, but it may increase under certain conditions, such as hot, humid weather. Leaks, however, indicate a bigger problem that a professional may need to address.

How can you tell if your pool is leaking?

Common Signs Of A Leaking Pool
  • Water Level Changes. Dropping water level is the clearest sign a pool is leaking, but it's important to determine if the water loss is due to evaporation or a leak. ...
  • Cracks or Falling Tile. ...
  • Wet Spots in Yard. ...
  • High Water Bills. ...
  • Water Under Equipment. ...
  • Air or Dirt Blown Into Pool. ...
  • Algae Growth.

Why does my pool water evaporate so fast?

Evaporation occurs whenever you expose wind or air to the surface of your pool. So in short, this applies to every pool, all the time. Water molecules rise to the surface, form into a vapor and eventually get released into the air. Heated pools on cool nights experience evaporation more rapidly.

Why does my pool lose water overnight?

If your pool lost water overnight and it is more than the quarter-inch due to evaporation, you probably have a leak. Evaporation accounts for a minor amount of water lost each day. Losing a half-inch or more overnight indicates a problem.

Where do pools usually leak?

Look closely at the filter, pump, heater, and pipe valves, which is where leaks often tend to occur. If you have a vinyl pool liner, look for tears or separations around the fittings, lights, steps, and corners.

Where does water go when pool leaks?

The pressurized plumbing system pumps water back to the pool after it has passed through the filter. The filtered water returns to the pool through the jet (or return) inlets. The plumbing that returns the water from the filter to the pool is often referred to as return plumbing.

How much can a pool evaporate overnight?

The differential that occurs between the pool water temperature and the air temperature on late summer nights causes water to evaporate at an accelerated rate. In some cases you might see a water level difference of 1-3 inches overnight. Depending on the size of your pool, that can be over 500 gallons of water loss!

How high should the water level be in a pool?

It is recommended you have your water level between one-third and one-half up the swimming pool skimmer box opening. If the level is higher than that, it may slow or even stop debris from being pulled into the skimmer box through the plate or valve.

What happens if pool water level is too low?

What happens if your swimming pool water level is too low? If the water in your swimming pool is too low, the skimmer can bottom out and suck air into your filter system. And when that happens, you're at risk for burning out the motor on your pool pump.

How do you keep pool water from evaporating?

How Can I Prevent Evaporation?
  1. Reduce the size of your pool. Probably not realistic.
  2. Lower the surface water temperature. ...
  3. Reduce the air temperature and air humidity. ...
  4. Reduce the Effect of Wind. ...
  5. Reduce Your Pool Usage. ...
  6. Get a Pool Cover.

Can you use food coloring to find leak in pool?

Add a couple drops of red food coloring. When the water quiets, place a drop or two of colored water into the pool. Start near the steps and work your way around the pool. Water follows the path of least resistance, so if there's a leak, you will see the colored water leaving the pool as it flows out of the leak.

Does a inground pool lose water?

All pools lose water naturally due to evaporation. This loss alone is not a sign of any dysfunction. ... A residential pool without a pool cover will lose about 1/4 inch of water level per day or about 2 inches per week solely due to evaporation.

How much does a pool evaporate?

The average pool water evaporation rate is about a quarter of an inch of water per day or more than two inches in a week, which on a 33′ x 18′ swimming pool (an average pool size) is more than 2500 liters or approximately 600 gallons a week; this may vary depending on your climate and the factors listed above.

How much water does a pool use?

The average swimming pool takes 18,000-20,000 gallons of water to fill.

How fast should a pool evaporate?

How Quickly Does It Evaporate? For evaporation, anywhere between 2 millimeters to 2 inches per week is about what you should expect in terms of pool water loss.

Does a pool lose water over the winter?

An uncovered pool will lose water in the winter to evaporation in the same way it does during the summer. But the water loss is only about a quarter-inch on average during a 24-hour period when the pool is not in use. An uncovered or covered pool can have problems in the plumbing lines or pump.

Can a leaking pool cause a sinkhole?

A sinkhole can occur whether you have an inground pool or an above-ground pool. A pool that is allowed to leak into the foundation underneath can lead to a very large, very dangerous sinkhole. In fact, leaking water is the main cause of a sinkhole. Sinkholes start developing a long time before they actually appear.

Previous article
Why is my saltwater pool cloudy?
Next article
Do cockroaches make a smell?