Your pool is probably leaking if you add water weekly.

Yes, that much top-up means a leak — not just evaporation.

Evaporation is real, especially in hot or windy weather, but it’s rarely more than about a quarter inch per day. If you’re adding an inch or more weekly, something’s escaping. Other signs: soggy ground around the pool (especially away from the pump/filter), cracks in plaster or tile, air bubbles coming out of return jets, or you finding yourself battling algae even though your chemical levels are fine.

The bucket test is the easiest DIY detection method. Fill a bucket with pool water and set it on a step so the water inside is level with the pool surface. Mark both water levels after 24 hours. If the pool level dropped more than the bucket level, you’ve got a leak. For finding the exact spot, a dye test works — put a few drops of food coloring near a suspected crack and watch if it gets sucked in. If the leak is in the shell or a pipe underground, call a pro with listening equipment.

Don’t ignore it — small leaks turn into big repair bills.