My Dubai villa pool is losing water every day — is it a leak or just evaporation?

Both are possible, but in Dubai's climate, evaporation accounts for a surprisingly large amount of water loss — and is often mistaken for a leak. Here's how to tell the difference.

A standard outdoor pool in Dubai loses between 3–7mm of water per day through evaporation during summer, depending on temperature, humidity, wind exposure, and whether you're running a pool heater or water feature. Over a week, that's 2–5cm of water drop — which looks alarming but is completely normal.

To distinguish evaporation from a genuine leak, do a bucket test: fill a bucket with pool water, place it on a pool step or ledge so it sits at the same water level, and mark both the bucket and pool water levels. Leave it for 24–48 hours. If both drop by the same amount, it's evaporation. If the pool drops more than the bucket, you likely have a leak.

If you do have a leak, the most common locations are: the skimmer housing (where the plastic housing meets the concrete shell), return line fittings, the main drain, and around underwater lights. A pool specialist can conduct a pressure test on the plumbing and a dye test around fittings to pinpoint the source.

Repair costs vary significantly: a minor fitting or skimmer repair typically costs AED 300–800. A crack in the pool shell or a failed pipe run can cost AED 2,000–8,000+. A pool cover can reduce evaporation by 30–50%, which is worth considering for summer months when the pool may be used less.

If you suspect a leak, get a specialist to assess before water bills escalate further.