GUIDES & POOL CARE KNOWLEDGE
Evaporation vs. Pool Leaks in Paphos, Cyprus.
Is your pool water level dropping faster than usual? Learn how to tell normal summer evaporation from a hidden pool leak, perform a 24-hour DIY test, and know when to call a diagnostic specialist.
Living in Paphos means enjoying hot Mediterranean summers, with temperatures routinely climbing above 35°C from June through September. Intense sunlight, low humidity, and coastal breezes all contribute to natural evaporation.
Under typical summer conditions in Paphos, an uncovered outdoor swimming pool loses between 3 mm and 6 mm of water per day (roughly 0.5 cm). Wind and heavy pool usage by guests or family will slightly increase this figure.
If your pool is consistently losing more than 0.5 cm to 1 cm of water per day—or if you find yourself refilling the pool multiple times a week—you are almost certainly dealing with a pool leak rather than evaporation.
Underground PVC pipes connecting skimmers, return jets, and main drains to the pump room can crack due to ground settling, soil movement, or age. Leaks in return lines often lose water faster when the pump is running.
The joint where the plastic or concrete skimmer throat meets the pool wall is a prime spot for leaks. Water dropping right to the bottom lip of the skimmer mouth and then stopping strongly points to a skimmer seal issue.
Underwater lights, main drain faceplates, vacuum ports, and tile grout expansion joints can deteriorate over time. In liner pools, pinhole tears near steps or corners are common culprits.
Mechanical shaft seals on the pump motor can drip water onto the pump room floor. Additionally, worn multiport valve gaskets can silently divert filtration water out through the backwash/waste line.
Located at the deepest point of the pool inside the main drain pot, the hydrostatic valve prevents ground water pressure from popping the pool shell. If sand or gravel lodges inside the valve, it stays open and drains pool water continuously.
The bucket test is a simple, proven method to distinguish natural evaporation from a pool leak under identical weather conditions.
Bring a large plastic bucket (approx. 20 liters) to your pool. Fill the pool to its normal operating water level. Place the bucket on the top step of your pool, partially submerged in water (about 15 cm deep) so the water inside stays at pool temperature.
Fill the bucket with pool water until the water level inside the bucket matches the pool water level outside. Use waterproof tape or a marker to mark the water level inside the bucket AND on the outside of the bucket (the pool water level).
Turn off auto-fill valves so fresh top-up water does not enter the pool. Leave the bucket undisturbed for 24 hours under normal pump operating conditions.
Compare both marks. If the pool water level outside the bucket has dropped noticeably lower than the water level inside the bucket, your pool has a leak.
Unchecked leaks can erode soil beneath pool surrounds, damage pool structural foundations, and cause high water and chemical costs. Get a professional diagnostic inspection to locate the exact cause.
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