Is Your Pool Leaking? Troubleshooting Water Loss in Austin
Central Texas is a geological “tugging match.” In neighborhoods like Spicewood and Bee Cave, the ground is constantly shifting. When you notice your water level dropping, the first instinct is to panic about an underground leak. However, in many cases, the culprit is either simple Austin evaporation or a visible issue at your equipment pad. At Above & Beyond Pool Service, we help homeowners identify where their water is going and provide expert repairs for all above-ground equipment issues.
The “Bucket Test” vs. The Austin Heat
Before calling for a leak specialist, you must distinguish between a leak and simple evaporation. In an Austin summer, a pool can lose 1/4 to 1/2 inch of water a day due to the heat.
How to do the Bucket Test:
1. Fill a bucket with pool water and set it on the first step of the pool.
2. Mark the water level inside the bucket and the pool water level on the outside of the bucket with tape.
3. Wait 24 hours. If the pool level (outside) dropped more than the bucket level (inside), you likely have a leak. If they dropped the same amount, it’s just the Texas sun at work.
Visible Leaks at the Equipment Pad
If the bucket test confirms a leak, check your equipment pad. Often, “leaks” are actually failing components that we can repair without any digging. Look for puddles under your pump motor (often a failing shaft seal) or water trickling out of the waste line of your filter (a worn-out internal gasket). We provide expert equipment repairs for all of these pad-side issues. We specialize in plumbing repairs that do not require breaking ground or underground leak detection.
When to Call a Leak Specialist
If the equipment pad is bone-dry and your bucket test still shows significant water loss, the issue may be underground or structural (such as a crack in the skimmer throat). While Above & Beyond does not perform underground leak detection or structural plumbing repairs that require digging, we can often identify the symptoms during our weekly pool cleaning. Finding the source of water loss early is the only way to prevent major foundation issues. Whether you are dealing with a dripping pump or just the summer sizzle, our team is here to help.