10 signs your pool
actually has a leak.

Losing more than ¼ inch per day (bucket test positive)

If the bucket test shows the pool dropping more than the bucket, you have a leak. Period. Time to call a specialist — the issue won't fix itself, and leaks tend to get worse over time.

Spike in city water bill

If your pool has an auto-fill line connected to city water, a leak shows up on your water bill before it shows up visually. A sudden increase of $40–$200/month is a strong leak indicator — especially if nothing else about your water use has changed.

Wet spots around the deck or equipment pad

Most pool leaks do not produce visible signs. In Florida, leaks often occur several feet underground, and our sandy, porous soil allows water to drain quickly, making them difficult to detect from the surface. However, there are a few warning signs that may indicate a leak, including:

• A persistent wet or soggy spot in the yard
• A constantly wet equipment pad
• Pavers or decking that remain damp long after surrounding areas have dried
• Unexplained soft or sinking ground near the pool

Keep in mind that many pool leaks show no visible symptoms at all, which is why professional leak detection is often necessary to pinpoint the source.

Visible cracks in the shell or tile line

Bond beam cracks, vertical shell cracks, and other types of hairline cracking can be signs of structural movement within a swimming pool. While not every crack leaks—some are limited to the surface finish—many extend deeper into the pool shell and can allow water to escape. A professional underwater inspection can determine whether a crack is cosmetic or an active leak requiring repair.

Air in the pump basket

Persistent air bubbles in your pump basket or returning from the pool's return jets may indicate a leak on the suction side of the plumbing system. These leaks commonly occur in the skimmer line, vacuum line, or main drain line. While the pump is running, these pipes are under vacuum, so instead of leaking water out, they draw air into the system. Once the pump shuts off and the vacuum is released, the damaged pipe can begin leaking water into the surrounding soil.

Chemistry that won't hold

If you're constantly adjusting chlorine, pH, alkalinity, or salt levels and nothing stays balanced, a leak is diluting the pool faster than you can compensate.

Decking settling or sinking

A leak in underground plumbing can undermine the soil beneath the deck, causing settling, cracking, or sudden depressions in the deck surface. This is a late-stage symptom — by the time decking settles, the leak has usually been active for months.

Heater running constantly

For heated pools and spas, a leak means constant fresh, cold water is being added—which means the heater is constantly working to bring the temperature back up. This often goes unnoticed and is not a reliable symptom. However, it should be noted if you suspect a leak and are running a heater.

Auto-fill running more than normal

Pools with auto-fill lines will silently mask a leak by continually adding water. If you can observe the auto-fill solenoid — and it's running constantly or cycling frequently — you have a leak. Many owners don't notice this one until the water bill spikes.

Water level drops to a specific height, then stops

This is one of the most valuable clues when diagnosing a pool leak. If the water level drops to a certain point and then stops, the leak is often located at or just above that level. A common example is, "The water level drops to the bottom of the skimmer and then stays there." This can indicate a problem with the skimmer, the skimmer pipe, or the surrounding tile at that level.

Take note of the exact water level where the loss stops and share that information with your leak technician—it can be extremely helpful in narrowing down the source of the leak.