We built a pool at our house in Fulshear right at a year ago and it seems like we have to add water way too often. Like every other day or so or the water line will get below the skimmer and start bubbling which I know is terrible for the pump motor. We thought we possibly had a leak, but we asked both our pool service guys and the pool construction company to take a look and still cannot find answers. The pool construction company had a pool leak detection company come out and they did all the tests with the scuba gear and pressure testing, but still nothing came up. One response was that it was probably due to wind evaporation. Has anybody dealt with this before? Its a smaller pool around 13,000 gallons. Maybe I just need to look into getting an autofiller? I hate having to worry about the water level when away from the house for just a few days. Attached is a picture of the pool with the leak detection company checking it out.

If you suspect it's evaporation try the bucket test. Google it if you don't know how it works.

Had a leak repaired in my pool and it was nerve-racking, but I found a guy who located it, cut a hole in my decking and repaired it all. Good luck.

We had a leak after having the pool resurfaced. The pool company sent the leak detection guys. They would come up with a fix and leave. They ended up coming out 3 to 4 times before it was actually figured it out. Plugged inlets and outlets and cut off an old pump. We have a 12k gal pool and have put water in once since the summer. It should not be evaporating that fast.

I did try the bucket test as well. The bucket did seem to have some evaporation, but the pool level dropped at least twice as much. I can't remember the measurements. Here are some pictures. Do you happen to remember what company located your leak?

Bucket Day 1:

Bucket Day 2:

Pool Day 1:

Pool Day 2:

Wow, thats great information. Do you happen to live in the Houston area? If so, what company was able to figure out the problem?

I used a small company called Arrow Pools, I believe, the guy that did the works name was John Strength.

Thank you very much.

That's significant water loss and definitely a leak. What does your pool equipment pad look like? Any significant leaks more than just a little drip?

Also, are there any places in your yard that seem to be getting lower? You can also try walking around the pool deck and tapping on it lightly with a shovel handle. If the sound changes, there could be some hollowing out that will tell you where the leak is. Same thing as tapping on the drywall to find the stud.

Fyi, my leak was from a small crack in the PVC under my decking and my pool is roughly 40 years old. Hopefully a brand new pool leak won't require and concrete decking work.

We used Fox Family Pools in Humble. Not sure who they were using for leak detection. But Fox kept sending people till we were happy.

Simple. Do a bucket test.

Put a bucket on a step or tanning ledge with the same depth of water in it as where it's sitting. If you have an auto fill turn it off otherwise don't add any water.

The evaporation should be constant in both the bucket and pool. If the pool is lower you are losing water somewhere.

Had fairly substantial water loss recently. Turned out to be an issue with the multiport not seating correctly. Adjusted by pool guy pretty easily.

Yeah, it is most likely the valve on a pool that new.

Is your pool losing the water while the pump is running or does it also lose it w/o the pump running. That would eliminate the evaporation theory for the most part.

Do one thing. While the pump is running, go to where the backwash dumps into the main sewer line. This most of the time is in the front of your house. Make sure no other water is running in the house. If you hear any water running from where the backwash dumps into your main sewer line, you have an issue with your backwash valve not sealing from the pump correctly. This was my last water loss issue and fix. Most likely, a good leak detection company would have already checked this.

Thank you everyone. I've contacted another company to come take a look. I'll definitely go over these possibilities with them to make sure everything is checked out.

Not a pool exert, so I dont have anything to offer. But your grass looks fantastic!

Yeah, I had a leaking backwash valve on a DE pool, that did the same thing. I changed it to a cartridge filter for that and other reasons.

The bucket has to be full tk the rim to get proper evaporation

I've seen different instructions to have the water to the brim or to fill it to an inch down. I should try it both ways.

Thank you but it's definitely just the picture. Never got rid of the sedge in the grass.

Recently purchased a home with a 40+ year old pool and I know nothing about pools. It seems with this cold weather the waterline has dropped quite a bit. I am running the pool filter at night because of the freezing temps, but tonight the water line was barely above the intake.

Is this temporary because of the cold weather, or have I discovered another money pit with this damn house?

My pool has been running for the past 3 days, no water loss..

so maybe, has it been really windy? How much have you lost? An inch? 2 inches?

Could just be something needs to be adjusted, like your multiport. Had this happen to me occasionally with my old pool.

Seems like 2 inches. I added some more water tonight, but will keep better track now.

Agree to check multiport or whatever valve you have. I have had to replace mine the past two harsh winter storms. Listen for water going to waste out front or wherever the drain is. Make sure you see no leaks around equipment or wet spots around pool.

I lost a bunch of water too. Wind speeds up evaporation.

We have the same issue with constantly having to fill out pool.

Leak detection guys came out. 2 leaks. One in the line that feeds the Polaris, and one behind the pool that feeds one of the jets.

Have to bust up concrete to repair the line for the Polaris.

Pools are such a money pit. House already had the pool when we bought it, otherwise I would never own one. It's a 38,000 gallon pool and it's been a constant headache. Now at the point where we have to re-plaster the whole thing too.

I'd rather just fill it with rocks & dirt and be done with it, but I'm told the city frowns upon that.

AJ02 said:

---

I'd rather just fill it with rocks & dirt and be done with it, but I'm told the city frowns upon that.

---

How much do you use the pool? Do you have kids or plan to have kids?

If you have known repairs now + a decent size bill with re-plaster on the way....would you be better off just filling it in? What can the city do? They cannot stop that, can they??

My pool is a PITA (as they all are) but I plan to do my best, god-willing, to keep it running for my kids for about 10 - 15 more years and then after that...any $10K+ repair the wife and I will have a chat about filling in with the only real debate being "resale value" and how long we plan to stay in this house...

I have a 12 year old stepdaughter who spends most days at her moms. So pool goes largely unused.