Your pool loses water either through evaporation or leaks which you have to replace. A frequent question that pops up in the mind of a pool owner is; how often to add water to the pool?
Well, the answer to this is a subjective one. The frequency of adding water to the pool depends on a variety of factors. However, under most circumstances, water needs to be added around every 7 to 10 days.
You should not let water levels fall too low because this causes the pool pumps to suck in air which can damage them.
Factors Affecting Addition of Water
Temperature
The temperature of the environment probably has the greatest impact on the water in the pool. In areas with high temperatures of around 105°F, evaporation of water is significantly increased.
There can be a decrease in water level of upto 1 inch a day, as opposed to the normal 0.25 inches at around 80°F. This means that water loss will be threefold, and so, extra water will need to be added around every third day to make up for it.
Humidity in Air
The amount of moisture in the air is also a great determinant of how much water a pool loses to the environment. In coastal areas that have high humidity, less water is evaporated as the air is already saturated.
The water level might only decrease by as low as 1 inch per month, as opposed to the usual 1 inch per week. This means that you will need to add water after a whole month.
Wind
This factor is also closely related to the degree of humidity in the air. If you live in an area that experiences frequent and strong windy weathers, the evaporation of water from the pool will be many times greater than usual.
Depending on the intensity of the wind, the water level can fall by up to 0.5 to 1 inch per day. This means that you will need to add water to the pool every other day.
Presence of Solar Cover
By now, it is easy to infer that most of the water that is lost from a pool under normal circumstances is due to the environment. Thus, it is a no-brainer that covering the pool will minimize the effects of sun and wind in evaporating water.
As a result, there will be virtually no water loss and no need to add water except for what is splashed out during swimming.
Frequency of Use of Pool
Whenever a pool is being used by swimmers, some water is bound to be splashed out and lost. The amount of water lost varies greatly, and is usually more when the number of swimmers is greater. Similarly, water loss is also greater when children are swimming. The water level can decrease by as much as 5 inches. If the pool is being used daily or multiple times a day, water will need to be added daily.
Rain
Rain is another obvious factor that affects how often you need to add water to your pool. If you live in a place that experiences frequent and plentiful rainfall, you will seldom need to add water to the pool. In fact, you might even need to take some water out.
Leakage
Water can leak through any of the fittings or accessories. The circulation mechanism is the most frequently implicated one. The pipes may get broken or a loose fitting may be to blame.
Rarely, the water can even leak through the pool walls which can occur due to corrosion. It is important to repair such leaks. Depending upon the size of the leak, you will have to replace water more often than normal.
What To Do If You Are Having To Add Water To Your Pool More Often?
Now that you know how often to add water to the pool under various conditions, it is easy to work out the best routine for your pool. However, if you find yourself needing to add water more often than recommended, there might be a leakage in your pool causing the excessive water loss.
Algae growth in the pool, corroding pipes, loose fittings and water under pool equipment are all dead giveaways. Another quick and easy test to confirm is the bucket test.
Bucket Test for Pool Leakage
All you have to do is take some water from the pool out in a bucket, and place it near the pool. After 24 hours, measure the decrease in water levels in both the bucket and the pool. If there is a greater water loss in the pool, this indicates a leakage which will need to be fixed.
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