Compton pools are used all 12 months in the South LA climate, so a leak runs year-round. The bucket test separates a real structural or plumbing leak from normal evaporation before you call a technician, saving a diagnostic visit when the pool is just drinking more water than usual in the heat. The blog post on reading your bucket test results gives more context on what pump-on versus pump-off differences mean.
Unlike indoor leaks, pool water drains to the yard rather than the City of Compton sewer system. That means a leaking pool raises only the water portion of your monthly utility bill, not the sewer charge. If your pool is part of a larger inground pool system, the plumbing inspection goes deeper than the bucket test alone.
How to run the bucket test
- Fill a 5-gallon bucket with pool water to about 1 inch from the top.
- Place the bucket on the first or second pool step so the water level inside matches the pool water level outside.
- Mark the inside bucket level and the outside pool level with tape or a permanent marker.
- Run the pool pump on its normal schedule. Disable auto-fill if you have one. Wait 24 hours.
- Measure the drop inside the bucket and the drop in the pool from the mark. Enter both numbers below.
Pool Leak Bucket Test Calculator
Pool shape:
Oval area = Length x Width x 0.785
Use your pool builder's specs, or measure with a tape on the pool deck.
Pool water drains to the yard, not the sewer, so the sewer portion of your City of Compton bill is not affected by pool refilling. Compton pools run year-round, so a leak that seems minor adds up quickly over 12 months.
Pump-on vs pump-off tip: Run a second 24-hour test with the pump completely off. If your pool loses more water with the pump on than with it off, the leak is on the pressure side (return lines or equipment). If you lose more with the pump off, the leak is on the suction side or skimmer. If both tests show similar loss, the leak is in the shell or a fitting.
✆ Call (424) 544-0235 for Pool Leak DetectionFrequently asked questions
How do I know if my Compton pool is leaking or just evaporating?
Run the bucket test: fill a bucket with pool water to the same level as the pool, leave it on a pool step for 24 hours, then measure the drop inside the bucket versus the drop outside. If the pool dropped more than the bucket, the difference is a real leak rather than evaporation. The calculator above converts that difference into gallons and monthly cost.
How much water do South LA pools lose to evaporation per day?
In Compton's marine-influenced climate, pools typically lose up to a quarter inch per day in summer due to evaporation. Wind accelerates this significantly. If your pool is consistently losing more than that, or loses more than the bucket in a side-by-side test, a structural or plumbing leak is likely.
Does pool refilling raise the sewer bill in Compton?
No. Pool water drains to the yard, not the City of Compton sewer system, so refilling a leaking pool does not increase the sewer portion of your monthly utility bill. Only the water portion of your City of Compton statement is affected.
What is the pool bucket test?
The bucket test is a simple method for separating pool water loss due to leakage from loss due to evaporation. A bucket of pool water placed on a pool step loses water to evaporation at the same rate as the pool surface. Any additional loss from the pool itself indicates a structural leak or plumbing failure in the inground pool system.
Pool bucket test positive? Call (424) 544-0235 for professional pool leak detection.