Is It a Leak or Just Evaporation? How to Tell If Your Swimming Pool Is Losing Water

 

Published by Panthera Technologies

 

Noticing your pool water level dropping faster than usual? You’re not alone — many pool owners struggle to tell the difference between a leak and natural evaporation. The truth is, South Africa’s hot, dry climate causes plenty of evaporation — but that doesn’t mean a leak isn’t lurking below the surface.

At Panthera Technologies, we specialise in pool diagnostics, leak detection, and repairs, and in this blog, we’ll help you figure out what’s really going on beneath the surface of your pool.

 

 

How Much Water Loss Is Normal?

In hot climates, pools can lose 2–5 cm of water per week through evaporation — especially during windy, sunny days and heavy pool use.

 

Factors that increase evaporation include:

  • High temperatures
  • Low humidity
  • Wind exposure
  • Heated pools
  • Lack of pool cover

If you’re losing more than this, a leak could be the culprit.

 

Simple At-Home Test: The Bucket Test

Want to test for a leak yourself? Try the Bucket Test — a simple way to compare evaporation inside and outside your pool.

How to do it:

  1. Fill a bucket with pool water to about 5 cm from the top.
  2. Place the bucket on your pool step so the water inside and outside are at the same level.
  3. Mark the water level inside and outside the bucket with a marker or tape.
  4. Leave the pool undisturbed for 24–48 hours (no swimming, no rain).

 

After 2 days, compare the levels:

If the pool level dropped more than the bucket, there’s likely a leak.

If the drop is the same, it’s probably just evaporation.

 

Other Signs of a Pool Leak

Apart from water level drops, other indicators that your pool might be leaking include:

  • Wet spots or mushy ground near the pool
  • Cracks in the pool shell or tiles
  • Air bubbles in the pump system
  • Constant need to refill the pool
  • Higher-than-normal water bills
  • Pool chemicals needing frequent rebalancing

 

Professional Leak Detection Methods

If the bucket test confirms your suspicions, it’s time to bring in the pros. Panthera Technologies uses specialised pool leak detection tools to pinpoint the source without damaging your pool.

Our detection methods include:

  • Pressure Testing: To isolate leaks in plumbing lines
  • Dye Testing: To trace leaks in pool walls or around fittings
  • Electronic Leak Listening Equipment: To detect underground plumbing leaks
  • Ultrasonic Technology: For locating hard-to-find leak sources

 

πŸ› οΈ What We Do When a Leak Is Found

Once we find the leak, we’ll advise the best solution — from sealing minor cracks to replacing leaking pipes or fittings, all with minimal disruption.

We work on:

  • Gunite & concrete pools
  • Vinyl liner pools
  • Fibreglass pools

 

Above-ground and in-ground systems

 

Trust Panthera Technologies for Leak Detection & Repairs

Don’t ignore a suspected leak — even a small one can waste thousands of litres of water and cause expensive damage to your pool or surrounding structures. Our expert technicians are here to help, fast.

 

Got a Leak? Let’s Fix It.

If you’re worried about your pool losing water, let Panthera Technologies diagnose and repair the problem professionally.

 

🌐 www.pantheratech.co.za
πŸ“ž 072 645 9606
πŸ“§ info@pantheratech.co.za
πŸ“ Serving homeowners, estates, and commercial pool systems across South Africa