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.
Quick answer: You can expect to lose between 2 mm to 2 inches of water in your pool per week due to evaporation, depending on the various factors we'll get into in this article.
There are three main factors for evaporation: Exposure, temperature and humidity levels. Exposure. The more your pool is exposed to the sun and wind, the more evaporation you'll see. A screened pool will evaporate less than an unscreened pool.
Did you know that swimming pools often experience water loss during the fall and winter? It's true. Your pool still needs proper care and maintenance during the fall and winter months.
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.
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.
Pool Collapse – An above ground pool collapse is often caused by the results of ice damage, but it can also happen when there is too much snow accumulated on top of the pool and the frame cannot handle the weight.
Pools lose water gradually, so water-loss can often be left undetected until it escalates into a serious problem. It's natural for pools to lose water due to evaporation, varying in speed depending on the humidity, temperature, wind conditions, use of pool heater, or the rate of use of the pool.
Standing outside of the pool, inspect the pool's bottom all the way around. Most above ground pools are set on top of the earth, and when there is a leak in the vinyl, the leaked water travels through the earth and leaves noticeable valleys or divots where it was once flat.
Another reason for a pool to lose water over the winter is due to the harsh elements. Ice, snow, and water can accumulate on top of the pool cover. When too much weight forces the pool cover into the surface of the pool, water may rise up and over the pool sides. This is called displacement.
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 often should I have to fill my 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.
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.
Lower Your Water Temperature
As the temperatures drop, the warm water evaporates even faster. In warm water, molecules turn into mist, which evaporates quickly. This process accelerates when the temperature of the pool water is higher than the air's temperature. Cold water is more resistant to evaporation.
Homeowners insurance may also cover pool collapse if the damage was caused by a covered peril (that wasn't listed as an excluded peril for swimming pools). For example, if a fire damages your above ground pool and causes the walls to collapse, homeowners insurance may help pay to repair or replace the pool.
The quick answer is no. You don't need to drain your pool, as there is no risk to your pool by it being full. The only thing you lose with a pool filled to the rim is your skimmer's surface cleaning action. Overall, it still draws water and the equipment is just fine.
The Problem With An Empty Pool
When that amount of weight and pressure is removed from the structure, the pool can actually pop out of the ground due to ground pressure forcing it up. This can compromise its structural integrity, damaging the walls, floor, liners, and even the deck itself.
Feel around the pool liner until you find a spot that's softer or squishes to the touch, which can indicate a leak. Put a few drops of coloring into the pool near the suspected spot. Coloring should mix with the water and let owners see how it flows. If it flows directly into the liner walls, you have found your leak.
Your pool also loses water in summer, up to 2 inches per week, due to the heat of the air. You can employ a swimming pool cover to protect the pool from these powerful rays. A pool cover will also keep heat in your pool when the weather is cold. In summer, the air around the pool is hotter than the pool water.
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.
Generally, pool water needs to be replaced once every five to seven years. This should be done during mild weather so that your pool surface is not at risk from strong sunlight and heat. Your pool maintenance company can recommend when it is time to drain your 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.
It's important to have precise dye placement to identify leaks wherever they are located. When a leak is present, the color will be sucked into the pool wall crack or fissure causing the leak. The dye identifies the area and the water movement into the fissure. All dye colors will eventually dissipate in the water.