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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
One of the worst areas a pool leak can occur is the underground plumbing. A leaking underground pipe is bad news for your pool's environment and your wallet.
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.
Most pools experience between 3mm - 7mm of water loss each day, depending on where you live.
The Optimum water level is between 1/3 - 2/3's of the way up your Skimmer box . Any lower then 1/3 above the bottom of your skimmer is too low and needs topping up immediately . Normally pools will see ¼ – ½ inch loss of water per day due to evaporation. This is roughly 2 – 4 inches per week.
Pool Is Losing Water When the Pump Is Off
If you've turned off your pump system for a day and the pool level is dropping more than 1/4–1/2” per day, you might have a pool leak. The leak is likely somewhere in the structure of the pool or on the suction side of the pool pumping system.
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.
RECOMMENDATIONS TO MINIMIZE WATER LOSS
The number-one way to combat evaporation is with a pool cover. It's estimated that a pool cover will reduce evaporation by 95 percent. Solar covers can heat your pool in the off-season, too. A pool cover reduces the pool's chemical consumption and reduces your cleaning time.
If you're filling your pool with well water, make sure that your well has the capacity to do so. You'll also want to ensure that your well equipment is up to speed; test the well water before adding it to your pool. It can contain excess minerals that might make balancing your pool water difficult.
The average swimming pool takes 18,000-20,000 gallons of water to fill. This will cost you an average of $80.00-$100.00 on your water bill (Austin). Pools do not need to be refilled very often.
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.
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.
Rule of thumb is if you are losing more than one-quarter of an inch a day in a humid environment or one-half an inch a day in a dry environment- you should check if your pool is leaking.
The level at which pool skimmers function properly is between one third and about half way up the opening of the pool skimmer. If the water level is too high the debris floating next to the opening may pass by without being pulled into the skimmer.
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 skimmer is also a resting place for larger pieces of dirt and debris that are blocked by a skimmer basket. For effective filter action, the water level should be at the midpoint of the skimmer. Too low, and water cannot flow into the filter system at all; too high and the flow will be less efficient.
Pools don't waste as much water as you would expect after they're filled. The average pool loses about ¼” (0.64 cm) of water per day, equal to 7.5″ (19.05 cm) a month, or 90″ (228.6 cm) per year. That may seem like a lot, but it's much less than many sprinkler systems.