Here at JMCifre<\/strong>, we have put together this technical guide to help you distinguish between natural evaporation during the Mallorcan summer and a genuine fault requiring professional intervention.<\/strong><\/p><\/p>\n\n Before you start worrying, remember that in Mallorca (and the other Balearic Islands), due to the high temperatures and dry winds, it is normal for a swimming pool to lose between 4 and 7 mm of water a day.<\/strong><\/p><\/p>\n\n If the loss exceeds 2 cm a week<\/strong>, it\u2019s time to take action. But how can you be 100 per cent sure without calling a technician just yet?<\/p><\/p>\n\n This test is foolproof for ruling out the influence of the sun and the wind:<\/p>\n\n Instructions<\/strong>: Fill a bucket with water and place it on the first step of the swimming pool.<\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n Levelling<\/strong>: Make sure that the water level inside the bucket matches the pool\u2019s water level outside exactly. Mark both levels with tape or a permanent marker.<\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n Please wait<\/strong>: Leave the pool unused for 48 hours and ensure the automatic refill system is not running.<\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n Diagnosis:<\/strong> If the water level in the pool has dropped more than that in the bucket, you have a leak<\/strong>. If they have both dropped by the same amount, it is simply evaporation.<\/p><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n Sometimes a leak isn\u2019t obvious, but your pool will give you clues. Look out for these signs:<\/p>\n\n Air in the return nozzles:<\/strong> If you see air bubbles coming out of the impellers, this is a sign that there is a crack in the suction circuit which is \u2018sucking in\u2019 air.<\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n Persistent damp in the ground:<\/strong> If you notice areas of the garden that are always damp, or paving slabs around the perimeter that are starting to lift or sink.<\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n Cracks in the glass or loose mosaic tiles:<\/strong> Small hairline cracks may seem harmless, but under the pressure of thousands of litres, they act as proper drains.<\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n Constant pH imbalance:<\/strong> If you\u2019re finding it incredibly difficult to maintain the pH and chlorine levels, it may be because the water is constantly being replaced due to a leak and the automatic top-up system.<\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n Engine losing suction:<\/strong> If the pool pump is running dry or is struggling to start, the leak may be in the pipes running from the skimmer to the plant room.<\/p><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n Once you\u2019ve confirmed there\u2019s a leak, the next step is to narrow down the area. You can carry out this brief technical \u2018triage\u2019:<\/p>\n\n If you lose more fluid whilst the engine is running:<\/strong> The leak is usually in the pressure pipes<\/strong> (where there is pressure).<\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n If you lose more water when the pump is switched off:<\/strong> The problem is usually with the bowl (cracks) or the intake pipes\/skimmers.<\/p><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n Let the water run until it stops of its own accord.<\/p>\n\n If it stops right at the mouth of the skimmer<\/strong>, that\u2019s where the break is.<\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n If water is seeping down to the light fittings<\/strong>, it is likely that the cable gland on the light fitting is not properly sealed. This is one of the most common problems in Mallorca.<\/p><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n In the past, detecting a leak meant tearing up the entire terrace. Today, at JMCifre we use non-invasive technology<\/strong> to pinpoint the exact location with millimetre precision:<\/p><\/p>\n\n Geophones (Acoustic Monitoring):<\/strong> We amplify the sound of water leaking underground. Each leak has a distinctive \u2018sound\u2019 that our technicians are able to identify.<\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n Tracer Gas (Nitrogen-Hydrogen):<\/strong> We inject this harmless gas into the pipes. As it is the smallest molecule, it escapes through the crack and rises to the surface, where our sensors detect it. It is the most accurate method for detecting invisible leaks.<\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n CCTV Inspection:<\/strong> We insert flexible cameras into the pipes to identify structural damage or roots that have penetrated the system.<\/p><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n Is it very expensive to locate a leak?<\/strong><\/p><\/h3>\n\n It is much more expensive not to locate it. A small leak can waste 500 litres a day. The cost of locating the leak is quickly recouped by avoiding unnecessary building work and saving on your water bill.<\/p>\n\n Can a leak be repaired without draining the pool?<\/strong><\/p><\/h3>\n\n In many cases, yes. We use underwater resins and polymers to seal cracks or expansion joints without having to drain the thousands of litres of water that are so difficult to replenish on the islands.<\/p>\n\n What happens if I ignore the leak?<\/strong><\/p><\/h3>\n\n Any water that leaks out can wash away the ground beneath the swimming pool, creating hollows that may eventually lead to structural damage to the pool itself, the repair of which can be up to 10 times more expensive.<\/p>\n\n Is your swimming pool losing water? Take action before it gets any worse.<\/strong><\/p><\/h3>\n\n At JMCifre Piscinas<\/strong>, we specialise in the technical detection and repair of leaks throughout Mallorca. Protect your investment and enjoy a worry-free swim.<\/p><\/p>\n\nEvaporation or a water leak?<\/h2>\n\n
The \u2018Cube Test\u2019: The most reliable home method<\/h3>\n\n
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![\"Mallorca](\"https:\/\/www.jmcifrepiscinas.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Guia-del-cubo-para-detectar-fugas-Mallorca-1024x559.webp\")
<\/figure>\n\nThe 5 warning signs you mustn\u2019t ignore to spot a water leak in your swimming pool in Mallorca<\/h2>\n\n
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Advanced Diagnostics: Where exactly is the problem?<\/h2>\n\n
Engine test (On vs. Off)<\/h3>\n\n
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The stop-level test<\/h3>\n\n
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JMCifre technology: Detection without causing any damage<\/h2>\n\n
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Frequently asked questions about water leaks in swimming pools in Mallorca<\/h2>\n\n