Forget the expensive leak detection — try the bucket test first.

Yes, the bucket test is the simplest way to tell evaporation from a leak, and you probably already have everything you need.

Evaporation depends on weather, but a normal pool loses about 1/4 inch per day in hot, dry, windy conditions. If you’re losing more than that, suspect a leak. Here’s the test:

Fill a bucket with pool water to about an inch from the rim. Set it on the top step of your pool (or a ledge), so the water levels in the bucket and the pool are the same. Mark both water levels. Run your pump as usual for 24 hours (no heavy rain). If the pool level drops more than the bucket level, you have a leak. If they drop the same, it’s evaporation.

Pro tip: do it during a calm, dry day so wind doesn’t mess with the bucket. Also check for obvious culprits — cracks, loose fittings, or a constantly running autofill.

A slow leak is still a leak, but fixing it early saves you chemistry headaches and a bigger water bill later.