Is Your Arlington Pool Leaking or Just Evaporating?

Every pool in Arlington loses some water to evaporation, especially in July and August. But if your water level drops more than about a quarter inch a day beyond normal evaporation, you may have a leak. This guide shows you how to tell the difference. If you think your pool is leaking, call our pool leak detection team at (817) 285-5426.

How much water does a pool lose to evaporation in Arlington?

In North Texas summers, a pool can lose about a quarter inch of water a day to evaporation, and sometimes more on hot, dry, windy days. Losses are much lower in winter. Heated pools, spas, waterfalls and fountains all lose water faster because they add heat or spray water into the air.

Splash-out from swimmers and backwashing the filter also lower the level. So a pool that drops after a busy weekend may be fine. A pool that drops fast every day, even when no one uses it, needs a closer look.

How do you do the bucket test?

The bucket test compares your pool's water loss to the water lost from a bucket sitting in the same weather. If the pool drops more than the bucket in 24 hours, the extra loss is likely a leak. It is free, simple and takes one day.

1. Fill a bucket with pool water to about 3 inches from the top.
2. Set it on a pool step so it sits in the pool water at the same temperature.
3. Mark both levels. Mark the water line inside the bucket and the pool level on the outside of the bucket or on the tile.
4. Run the pump as normal and turn off any auto-fill for 24 hours.
5. Compare after 24 hours. If the pool dropped more than the bucket, you likely have a leak.

Try it twice: once with the pump running and once with the pump off. If the pool loses more with the pump on, the leak is often in the pressure side plumbing. If it loses more with the pump off, it is often in the suction side or the shell.

What are the signs of a pool leak?

Common pool leak signs are losing more than a quarter inch a day, an auto-fill that runs all the time, wet or soggy spots in the yard near the pool, cracks in the tile or deck, and air bubbles from the return jets. A higher water bill in summer can also point to a pool leak.

• Water level drops fast every day
• Auto-fill runs nonstop
• Soggy grass or sinking deck
• Cracks in tile, plaster or coping
• Air bubbles from the returns
• Algae returns soon after treating
• Drips at the pump or filter
• Water bill jumps in summer

Where do pool leaks usually happen?

Most pool leaks happen where something passes through the pool shell or where pipes connect. The most common spots are the skimmer, return fittings, the main drain, pool lights, and the underground plumbing lines that run to the equipment pad. Cracks in the shell or tile line are less common but do happen.

Arlington's clay soil matters here too. When the ground swells and shrinks, it can pull on skimmer throats and buried plumbing. Pool equipment, valves and backflow lines can also drip over time. These are covered under our pool and outdoor leak service.

How do professionals find a pool leak?

A pool leak detection specialist pressure tests the plumbing lines, dye tests the shell, skimmer, returns and lights, and uses underwater listening gear to hear water escaping. This finds the exact spot, so the repair is small and you do not have to drain the pool or dig up the deck to search.

You can see the full set of leak detection tools we use on the homepage.

How much does pool leak detection cost in Arlington?

Pool or spa leak detection in Arlington usually costs about $250 to $550. The price depends on the size of the pool, whether there is an attached spa, and how many lines need to be tested. Repairs are priced separately, and you get a clear price before any work begins.

General estimates for Arlington, TX in 2026. See our full cost table.

Is a pool leak worth fixing right away?

Yes. A pool leak wastes water every day, raises your water bill, and washes out the soil under your deck and pool shell. Over time, that can lead to cracks and much bigger repairs. Most leaks found early are small fixes, like a skimmer seal or a fitting.

If the water you are losing is not going into the pool area, check for other leaks too. Our guide to finding the cause of a high water bill can help.