The Bucket Test

1. Bring pool water to normal level.
2. Fill a 5 gallon bucket with pool water approximately 3-4 inches from the top.
3. Place the bucket on the first or second step of pool (preferably the second step without immersing it.
4. With a marker or electrical tape, mark the water level on inside of bucket.
5. Shut off pump and mark pool level on outside of bucket.
6. Resume normal pump operation. Make sure auto/manual fill valve is off during test.
7. After 24 hours, compare the two levels. If the pool water (outside mark) goes down more than the inside water level, there may be a leak.
8. Check the outside mark. If the pool water level has gone down more than the inside water level, there may be a leak. If both the inside and outside water levels have decreased at the same rate, there's a good chance you are experiencing nothing more than evaporation.

• You can tie the bucket to a hand rail or something so it doesn’t get knocked over or into the pool.
• If you need to weigh the bucket down with something, let whatever you use absorb the water before marking the bucket.
• The water levels do not have to be the same. We need to see if the pool goes down more from its mark than the bucket does from its mark. (The bucket will only evaporate.)

We suggest running this test with the pump off for 24 hours and then running the test again with the pump on for 24 hours. Write down the results! This helps us to narrow down were the leak might be and can save you money if you need us to find it.

• Do not add water or backwash the filter during the test.
• Do not allow swimming during this time.
• Do not let the dog drink out of the bucket.