Constantly Need to Refill Your Pool? Why North Atlanta Owners Should Check for Leaks

Are you adding water every few days? Does it feel like you need to top things off more often than normal? You're not alone. Many North Atlanta homeowners face this exact problem. And here's the truth: constant refilling often points to a hidden leak.

Sure, some loss happens naturally. But when you're running the hose multiple times a week, something deeper is going on. Before you drain and refill your pool again, let's talk about what's really happening—and how to fix it for good.

Why Does Your Swimming Pool Keep Losing Water?

Every backyard oasis loses some pool water. That's normal. But there's a big difference between typical loss and a leak.

Here are the main reasons levels drop:

• Evaporation – Hot Atlanta summers cause rapid loss. You might see up to a quarter inch disappear per day.
• Splash-out – Kids jumping in? Cannonballs add up over time.
• Backwash – Cleaning your sand filter removes some volume each cycle.
• Leaks – Cracks in the shell, liner damage, or faulty equipment can drain things slowly.

Pro Tip: If you're losing more than 2 inches per week, a leak is likely the cause.

The problem? Many pool owners don't realize they have a leak. They just keep filling the pool week after week. This wastes resources, drives up your water rates, and ignores the real issue hiding below.

How Often Should You Need to Add Water?

Let's get specific. How much loss is actually normal?

If you need to add water back to your setup every few days, you've moved past normal. An inground or ground swimming setup should hold its water level steady. When it doesn't, something is wrong.

What's the Difference Between Heat Loss and a Leak?

This is the million-dollar question. And there's a simple test you can do at home.

The Bucket Test:

1. Fill a bucket and place it on the steps.
2. Mark the level inside the bucket and at the edge.
3. Wait 24 hours.
4. Compare the two marks.

If the main body dropped more than the bucket, you likely have a leak. Natural loss affects both equally. A leak only affects the larger vessel.

Here in North Atlanta, extreme weather can impact results. Hot days speed things up. But even then, a leak shows a bigger drop. This quick water test helps you know if it's time to call Level Up Leak Detection.

When Do You Actually Need to Drain?

Emptying is a big decision. It takes time, costs money, and carries risks. So when is it truly necessary?

You may need to drain your pool if:

• CYA (cyanuric acid) levels are too high – High levels of cyanuric acid can't be fixed by dilution alone. Draining your pool is often the only answer.
• Total dissolved solids (TDS) are off the charts – When chemicals stop working, a reset helps.
• Major stain removal – An acid wash requires emptying to clean the surface.
• Structural repairs – Fixing cracks means the vessel must be empty.

You probably don't need to drain a pool if:

• Things look cloudy (adjust your filter and sanitizer instead)
• Green appeared (treat with shock and algaecide)
• Calcium hardness is slightly off (use a calculator to balance)

Warning: Never empty without checking the water table in your area. High groundwater can pop an empty structure right out of the ground!

Is Emptying and Refilling Actually Fixing the Problem?

Here's where many owners go wrong. They assume emptying solves everything. But if there's a leak, you're just filling a bucket with a hole in it.

Think about it this way:

• Filling a pool costs money (rates aren't cheap in Atlanta).
• A leak wastes thousands of gallon amounts over a season.
• The leak itself damages your deck, yard, and structure.

Draining and refilling addresses water quality issues. It does NOT fix leaks. If you keep having to refill the pool after emptying, the problem is still there.

That's why leak detection comes first. Find it. Fix it. Then worry about whether your water chemistry needs a reset.

How Do Leak Detection Experts Find Hidden Problems?

At Level Up Leak Detection, we use proven methods to locate issues fast. No guesswork. No digging up your whole yard.

Our detection process includes:

• Pressure testing – We check plumbing lines, including every valve and pipe.
• Electronic listening equipment – We hear escaping flow through concrete and tile.
• Dye testing – We use special dye near the skimmer, returns, and lights to see exactly where flow exits.
• Thermal imaging – We spot temperature changes that reveal underground issues.

Most leaks happen in predictable spots. Near the pool pump connections. Around the filtration system. By lights and fittings. We know where to look and we find them fast.

What Happens If You Ignore a Leak?

Let's be real. Ignoring a leak doesn't make it go away. It makes things worse.

Here's what happens over time:

• Higher bills – You're paying to fill or refill something that keeps emptying.
• Chemical imbalance – Fresh additions change your chlorine level, balance, and calcium levels. You'll spend more on pool chemicals trying to keep up.
• Structural damage – Escaping flow erodes soil. This can damage your shell, deck, and even your home's foundation.
• Green problems – Unbalanced water quality leads to alga buildup. Nobody wants that.
• Equipment failure – Your pump and equipment work harder when levels drop. This shortens their lifespan.

Did you know? A small leak can waste over 7,000 gallons per month. That's like filling a spa every single day!

The cost of detection is a fraction of what you'll spend ignoring the problem. Protect your investment. Get your pool checked before things get worse.

What Should You Do Before Emptying?

Planning to empty? Pause for a moment. There are steps to take first.

Before emptying:

1. Test for leaks first – Don't empty if a leak is causing your loss. Fix it first.
2. Check local regulations – Some areas restrict when you can release swimming pool water.
3. Monitor weather – Never empty during heavy rain. Groundwater can cause damage.
4. Protect your setup – If you have vinyl, complete emptying can cause shrinkage.
5. Balance after – Once you fill back up, use a test kit to check pH and add chlorine as needed.

Pool school tip: After filling the pool for the first time (or after emptying), run your equipment for 24 hours. This helps dissolve new chemicals and circulate everything evenly. Use muriatic acid to lower high pH and bicarbonate to raise alkalinity if needed. Aim for the right ppm levels before adding anyone in.

How Can North Atlanta Owners Keep Things in Great Shape?

Pool care isn't complicated once you know the basics. Here's how to keep your pool healthy year-round through solid pool maintenance.

Weekly checklist:

• Skim debris and pool clean the basket area
• Check and empty equipment baskets
• Test chemistry (use a pool calculator online)
• Maintain proper levels
• Brush walls and floor to prevent buildup
• Vacuum or run your automatic cleaner

Monthly tasks:

• Check hardness levels and adjust if needed
• Test CYA levels (keep below 50)
• Inspect equipment for leaks
• Clean your filter as needed

Seasonal tips:

• Add a pool cover to conserve water and reduce loss
• Balance levels before winter
• Schedule professional leak detection if you notice unusual drops

Following this routine helps you use a pool every season without surprises. And if something seems off, you'll catch it early.

Ready to Stop Constant Refilling? We Can Help.

If you're tired of watching levels disappear, it's time to find out why. At Level Up Leak Detection, we specialize in finding and fixing leaks for North Atlanta homeowners.

Why choose Level Up Leak Detection?

• Fast, accurate results – We find problems other companies miss.
• Non-invasive methods – No unnecessary digging or damage.
• Local expertise – We know this area inside and out.
• Honest answers – We tell you exactly what's wrong and how to fix it.

Stop wasting money. Stop guessing. Let us help you fill up one last time—after we fix what's causing the loss.

Don't let a hidden leak drain your wallet.

Contact Level Up Leak Detection today. We'll find the issue so you can enjoy a worry-free summer.

Level Up Leak Detection proudly serves North Atlanta, including Alpharetta, Roswell, Johns Creek, Milton, and surrounding areas. We're here to help with all your leak detection needs.

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