Pool Care /
Where Does Water Go When a Pool Leaks?
When a pool leaks, the water usually moves into the surrounding soil, underground plumbing, or equipment areas. Careful observation can help narrow the source safely.
Archive date: this article was written for PoolSkimmer on Oct 23, 2026 and given the earlier archive date of Mar 26, 2026 so the blog reads as an organized archive. It was not published on that date.
Where does the water go in a leaking pool?
For the most part, water from a leak will make its way into the ground surrounding the shell, or find its way into the underground plumbing. You may also see it in the equipment area near the pump, filter, skimmer or return fittings. But not all of it is so obvious; some of it can seep through a bad seal, joint or crack and never surface. This accounts for why a pool can be losing water with no wet spot in sight.
What are the usual culprits?
There are several ways a pool can lose water:
- The soil: Water can escape the liner, shell or a poorly sealed fitting and disappear into the ground.
- Underground pipes: A damaged joint or pipe will let water through.
- Equipment pads: If there is an above ground component that is leaking, it will drain to these areas.
- Evaporation and splash-out: Particularly in hot, windy weather or with heavy use, small losses can be attributed to this.
Do not assume every leak is the same failure. The problem could be in the shell, the skimmer, the plumbing or the equipment itself, so one has to narrow it down methodically.
How to determine where it is going
Before you open up any of the equipment, make some safe observations.
1. Put a mark on the water level and see how quickly it falls. 2. Walk the perimeter. Look at the deck, the skimmer and the return fittings for signs of erosion, softened soil or dampness. 3. Observe the system. If the pump is losing prime, there is air in the lines or circulation is weak, the suction-side plumbing is a likely suspect. 4. Examine the fittings. Check for water escaping around the lights, where the skimmer is joined to the pool, or other penetrations. 5. Be cautious with the baskets. Always shut off the pump before you get to the skimmer basket and adhere to the manual.
You should follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your equipment and wear the appropriate PPE when working in slippery spots.
Is it possible it is only evaporation?
At times, yes. Some water loss is to be expected in a swimming pool given the right conditions. However, if the level is dropping faster than it should or you are seeing a loss while the equipment is off, you are more likely dealing with a leak.
It is easy to make errors here, such as:
- Writing off every drop to evaporation
- Inspecting equipment while the pump is on
- Putting in chemicals in a bid to fix a leak
- Overlooking the fact that you have to refill the pool on a regular basis
Time to call in a professional?
If the source eludes you despite a steady leak, or you have reason to think the underground plumbing is compromised, put in a call to a qualified pool pro. The same goes for any water collecting near electrical gear, or if you notice the circulation is noisy or the pool shell is cracking and shifting. A professional has the tools to pinpoint the issue without having to do any unnecessary draining.
What to do about it
Take a measured approach if the pool is running low. Confirm the loss, do a safe inspection of what you can see and document it. Read over the equipment manual. And if the leak is not plain to see, let a professional handle it. In the end, the answer is straightforward: the water is ending up in the soil or the equipment, and a little careful observation is the best way to start.
Sources and further reading
- [Hayward: Weekly pool maintenance](https://www.hayward.com/maintenance/weekly-pool-maintenance)