How to Minimize Evaporation From Pools

Many things can lead to water loss in a swimming pool, but evaporation is the most common culprit. Depending on where you live, humidity can cause up to 70% of the water loss in your pool. You can't change the humidity in your environment, but you can cut down on the evaporation it causes in your pool.

Things You'll Need

  • Swimming pool cover
  • Thermal pool cover
  • Chlorine
  • Chlorine test kit
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cover your pool with a pool cover or thermal cover. Pool covers vary greatly in size, thickness and ease of use. The most expensive covers are thick and use a machine to automatically install them over the pool at the touch of a button. Cheaper covers are thin and must be manually spread over the pool. Thermal covers are thicker and help keep the pool heated, which not only reduces evaporation but energy costs as well.

    • 2

      Check the level of chlorine in your pool and add chlorine if necessary. Chlorine slows the rate of evaporation. But chlorine in pools is broken down by the sun, leading to a decreased chlorine level in hot, humid environments already prone to water evaporation. Check the chlorine level in your pool twice a week in the hottest months and at least twice a month during cold weather.

    • 3

      Add a windbreak to your pool area if you live in a windy area. A windbreak is composed of trees, shrubs and other plants that help break up the wind as it passes overhead. This prevents the full force of the wind from blowing over the surface of the pool. You can also use very strong fencing as a windbreak.