The bucket test is all you need to find a pool leak.

Yes, but don’t panic yet — evaporation is real, and most “leaks” aren’t. Do the bucket test before you call anyone.

Fill a bucket with pool water, put it on the top step (or hang it in the water), and mark the water level inside and outside. Wait 24 hours. If the pool water drops more than the bucket water, you’ve got a leak. If they’re the same, it’s just evaporation — normal in summer heat.

Most leaks are in the liner (at seams, lights, or skimmers) or in the plumbing (usually at the pump or filter). A patch kit from the pool store works for liner tears smaller than a few inches — just clean, cut, and clamp. For bigger tears or plumbing issues, you need a pro with a pressure tester or dye. Don’t bother with “stop-leak” liquids; they gum up your filter and rarely fix anything.

If the leak is small and in the liner, patch it yourself. If the water level stops dropping at the skimmer, your leak is likely there (new gasket, cheap fix). Anything else? Call a pool service.

A slow leak is annoying but not an emergency. A fast leak is a cracked pipe, and that’s a plumber’s problem.