You can find a plumbing leak yourself, but fixing it usually requires a pro.

Yes, with a bucket test and a pressure test, you can pinpoint a leak in the plumbing.

Start with the bucket test to confirm it’s a leak and not just evaporation. Fill a bucket with pool water, mark the water level inside the bucket and the pool water level just outside. Run the pump normally. If the pool level drops more than the bucket level after 24 hours, you probably have a leak.

If the bucket test points to a leak, turn off the pump. Then isolate the plumbing: close valves to the skimmer, main drain, and returns. Use a pressure test kit (you can rent or buy one for about $50) to pressurize each pipe run. Watch for pressure drop. That tells you which line is leaking.

Fixing it depends on where the leak is. If it’s an above-ground pipe joint (like near the equipment pad), you can cut and replace it with PVC primer and cement—pretty straightforward. If the leak is underground, you’re looking at digging or calling a leak detection service with electronic listening equipment. I’d leave that to the pros unless you’re comfortable trenching and gluing new pipe.

Don’t dig until you’re certain. Mark your suspect line clearly. Cheap mistake: digging up the wrong pipe.