Bucket Test

Bucket Test Procedure: (To Determine if You Have Leak)

1. Bring the pool water to its normal level. Fill an empty bucket with pool water to about one inch from the top of bucket.
   (By filling the bucket close to the top you are ensuring that air movement over the surface of the bucket will be
   similar to that of the pool.)
   
   
2. Turn off pool so that the water settles. If you have a pool/spa combination, make certain that water from the spa doesn’t transfer to the pool. You may have to turn off the spa or pool return valve at the pump area.
   
   
3. Place the bucket on the first or second step of the pool. To keep it from floating away it may be necessary to place a few bricks or rocks into the bucket. (By placing the bucket in the pool water you are ensuring that the water temperature of each will be similar).
   
   
4. Mark the water level inside the bucket.
   
   
5. Mark the water level of the pool on the outside of the bucket.
   
   
6. If the pool has an auto water fill, make certain it is off.
   
   
7. Operate the pool for 24 hours as it had been operated when a leak was first suspected.
   
   
8. After 24 hours, compare the two levels. If the pool water (outside mark) goes down more than the inside water level, there is probably a leak.
   
   
9. Note: If it rains more than an inch, you may have to do the procedure over.