Why does my pool lose water when it rains?

Author: Prof. Margie Towne Sr.  |  Last update: Tuesday, June 21, 2022

Pool Losing Water After Heavy Rain
Due to a heavy rainstorm, water loss is more common with vinyl liner pools that can be damaged, come loose, or float to the top. With other types of inground pools, it is vital to get the water level down. If not drained, the water balance will change, causing cloudy water and more.

Can a swimming pool overflow when it rains?

The pool will only overflow by the amount of rain in excess of the amount of rain needed to fill the pool to the top. So if your pool is the normal 3” below the top, the rain would need to exceed 3” before any additional rain would be available to overflow onto the deck.

Why does it seem like my pool is 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.

Why is my inground pool losing 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 much water should pool lose per day?

If pool owners or maintenance workers are constantly filling up the pool, there may be a leak. 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.

Why Does My Water Turn Green When It Rains?

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.

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.

Why did 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.

How can I tell where my inground pool is leaking?

Go to the edge of the swimming pool in the area where you think the leak might be. Without touching the water, squirt the dye in the water close to the surface and the wall. If the leak is near, you will see the dye move towards the exaction location of the leak like a current.

Where do most pool leaks occur?

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.

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.

Should I turn off pool pump when raining?

If your pool pump manufacturer has declared your pump is rain safe, you can leave it on in rainfall. Nevertheless, during a thunderstorm, it is highly recommended that you switch off and unplug your pool pump to prevent any costly and irreversible damages to your pool equipment.

What do you do with your pool when it rains?

Here's a quick checklist of what to do after a heavy rain so you can get back to enjoying your pool as soon as possible:
  • Remove debris from your skimmer and pump baskets. ...
  • Skim your pool to remove any debris on the water's surface, including bugs.
  • Brush and vacuum your pool.
  • Lower the water level if needed.

Should I shock my pool before or after it rains?

Give your pool a good shock treatment 1 to 2 days before the storm hits. You can bring the chlorine level up pretty high to prolong the pool being depleted of chlorine.

Should you cover pool when raining?

When preparing your pool for a storm, leave it uncovered. Installing any kind of cover across the pool will not do much to protect against dust and contaminants because storms often bring strong winds and heavy rain that can cause the cover to lift off your pool.

Does rain affect pool pH?

Effect on Pool Water pH

Since rain is diluting your pool, you may expect that it will reduce the acidity of your pool water. However, all rain in the US is acidic due to pollution, so rain actually decreases your pool's pH – in other words, the pool water becomes more acidic.

Should I add chlorine after rain?

Shock the pool

It's not time to fix your pool chemistry just yet – that said, there's nothing wrong with giving your water a little boost. After heavy rainfall, your pool's chlorine levels will be much lower from fighting off contaminants. Shocking your pool replenishes the chlorine lost from the rain.

How do I protect my pool pump from the rain?

Protect the pump motor from water damage

In addition to removing circuit breakers, consider moving the motor indoors or covering it with a waterproof material to prevent water from getting inside.

How many hours a day should you run your pool filter?

The rule of thumb is generally 8 hours, although it could be anywhere from 6-12 hours, depending on your pool's size. Each pool is unique, so to keep your pool pump efficient and effective, you need to figure out exactly what your pool's turnover rate is.

How often do pools need to be drained?

Pool industry experts recommend you drain your pool and refill it every five to seven years. No two pools are alike, so there is no set number at which you must drain your pool.

Can you reuse pool water?

But did you know there's an easy way to reuse the water that's already in the pool? All you have to do is recycle it! Meet reverse osmosis — the best way to purify your swimming pool water. It works by pushing the existing water through semipermeable membranes that hold off any impurities, particles, and buildup.

Why do swimming pools need to be cleaned daily?

So, as we all know, swimming pools, whether common or privately owned, need to be cleaned on a regular basis to prevent bacterial contamination, algal growth, dirt, excess chemicals, and other things.

Is it better to run a pool pump at night or day?

It's best to run your pool pump during the day

Not only does sunlight give fuel for algae to grow, it also destroys your pool chlorine and this is why you should always run your pool during the day!

How do I make my pool water crystal clear?

In theory, if you have a cloudy swimming pool, you can add chlorine to “shock it” and clear things up. Chlorine will get the job done. But, the amounts may vary and you may have to really pound the pool with chlorine to get the water totally clear.

How long can pool water go untreated?

I think the answer to your question is about 3-6 days. The problem is that the chlorine that you need to keep the bacteria in check is used up more quickly as the temperature rises, the activity increases, and as sweat and other body stuff is put into the pool.

Previous article
Can you tile a pool in the rain?
Next article
Can you stain a fiberglass door?