Are you in the process of building a pool and wondering if you should install an auto fill device (also called a water leveler)? Or do you already have a pool but are looking for a better way to maintain the water level in your pool? Automatic pool water levelers automatically adjust your swimming pool to the correct water level, so you never need to worry about manually filling your pool again.
Read on to learn more about why your in-ground pool needs an auto fill device!
What is an Auto Fill On a Pool?
An auto fill, also called an automatic pool leveler or water leveler, helps maintain a consistent water level in your pool. These mechanisms can also be used in spas but are most commonly used in pools.
These mechanisms are ideal for two types of people. First, the mechanism prevents water levels from getting low due to evaporation. Secondly, if you use your pool often, especially if you have children who love to splash or jump in, an automatic pool water leveler ensures your water levels do not get too low.
How Does a Pool Auto Fill Work?
An auto fill has a float valve that detects water levels in your pool. When water levels are high, the water pushes float valves higher. As water levels decrease, float valves dip with the water. When the float valve dips below a certain level, it triggers the automatic pool water leveler to turn on and fill your pool up.
5 Reasons Your Pool Needs an Auto Fill
Below are the 5 reasons you need you need an auto fill, and the reasons we made sure we had an auto fill for our pool!
#1: Low Water Levels Can Damage Your Pool
One of the reasons your pools need automatic pool water levelers is that your pool and pool equipment can become damaged if the water level gets too low. The most common problem with low water levels is pool pump motor problems. When water gets too low, the skimmer can suck air into your pool filtration system. This can cause the pump to overheat and burn the motor out.
Common Question: How Can You Add Water To a Pool?
Pool owners often ask how water can be added to a pool. There are a few different ways to increase the water level in a pool.
One of the simplest ways is with a standard garden hose. You can take the garden hose directly to your pool, turn on the water, and fill the pool up. Another option is with a manual fill. Most pools have a water line hooked up to the pool. You can manually turn this on to increase the water supply in your pool and turn it off when the water reaches the optimal level.
Both of these options can be time-consuming because you have to watch the water going into your pool to ensure it is at the right level. Plus, you may have to do this weekly to keep the right level of water in your pool.
The final way water is added to the pool is with the auto fill mechanism. This is an excellent option because it won’t require any effort from you to maintain the correct water level in your pool.
Common Question: Where Should the Pool Water Line Be?
Your pool water level should be high enough to cover about one-third to one-half of the skimmer plate. You never want the water to dip lower than the skimmer plate. That is when you run into problems with your equipment.
Common Question: What Happens If the Pool Water Level is Too High?
Ensuring your water level is not too low is only one issue pool owners face. Ensuring the water levels do not get too high is another issue that needs to be considered. If the water levels get too high, your skimmer may not be able to function properly, leaving an excess of debris in the water.
#2: Pool Water Will Evaporate
The second reason you want automatic water levelers in your pool is that water will evaporate. Some factors that can affect how quickly water evaporates from existing pools include the climate, wind, humidity, and your pool size. Pool owners who live in hot, dry climates can expect to experience evaporation faster than those who live in cooler or humid climates.
Common Question: How Much Water Will My Pool Lose to Evaporation?
You can expect to lose anywhere from two millimeters to two inches of water per week due to evaporation, or about a quarter of an inch per day, though some people may lose more or less water than others.
To figure out how much water your pool will lose due to evaporation, fill a bucket up to the top with water. Then place the bucket by your pool. See how much water the bucket loses in a week due to evaporation. Odds are, your pool will lose about the same amount (if your pool is losing significantly more water, you may have a leak!)
#3: You Will Lose Pool Water When People Are in the Pool
The third reason why you will want an automatic pool water leveler is that you will lose pool water when people are in the pool. As people jump in, water splashes out. As people swim, waves develop in the pool that can flow into the overflow drain of your pool and flow out. Lastly, as people get out of the pool, they take water out of the pool and onto the pool deck with them. All of these things decrease the water level in your pool.
#4: Pool Auto-Fill Devices Are Relatively Inexpensive
The fourth reason you should consider installing an automatic pool water leveler is that installing an auto fill device is reeatively inexpensive. There are different options for adding an auto-fill feature to a pool. You can install a built-in autofill during the construction process for new construction pools, add a built-in automatic pool water leveler to an existing pool or add a separate device that sits on the edge of an existing pool. Each option has a different cost, but each option is affordable.
Installing built-in water levelers during construction typically costs about $100 to $500.
Adding a built-in option to an existing pool typically runs about $100 to $2,000.
Adding aftermarket automatic water levelers can be completed for less than $100.
Common Question: Can You Add an Auto-Fill to an Existing Pool?
Yes, you can add automatic pool water levers to an existing pool. However, as stated above, the cheaper option is to purchase a separate device that sits on the edge of a pool.
One of the devices that you can purchase is the Bylot Pool Water Leveler. This water leveler can be used on both above-ground and in-ground pools. It weighs less than four pounds and can be placed by the average homeowner in just minutes. It fills the pool using a standard garden hose. It also has a rubber base to prevent it from sliding into the pool.
Another option is the Rola-Chem M-3000-1 Pool Sentry. This water leveler automatically maintains your water level using a garden hose. It never overfills the pool, and no tools are required to install this, making it easy for pool owners to install on their own.
Common Question: Is a Pool Auto Fill Worth it?
Absolutely! Auto fill devices are worth it. They are relatively inexpensive, and the cost of installing one in either a new pool or an existing pool outweighs the time commitment of constantly monitoring your water levels yourself or damaging equipment if the water levels dip too low.
#5: Auto Fill Devices Will Save You Time
The final reason you should install an autofill device is that it will save you time. If you do not have automatic water levelers, you constantly have to monitor the water supply in your pool. Water evaporates, and water is lost as people use the pool. You then have to manually fill the pool to the desired water level and monitor the water to ensure you do not overfill the pool. This can be a time-consuming pool maintenance task that can be eliminated simply by having an automatic water leveler.
Common Question: Can Pool Auto Fills Cause a Pool to Overflow?
If your pool auto fill is properly working, your pool will not overflow. However, if the autofill device is damaged or stuck open constantly, it can increase the water level too high in your pool, and your pool can overflow. We recommend regularly monitoring the activity of your autofill and inspecting the device to ensure it is not damaged. If your pool does overflow, you will want to shut off the auto fill feature until you can fix the issue causing your auto fill to constantly add water to your pool.
Common Question: Can a Pool Auto Fill Hide a Leak in a Pool?
Unfortunately, pool leaks do occur, and a pool auto fill device may disguise the leak for a short period of time. However, if you notice that your auto-fill is running more frequently or your water bill is higher than normal, you should inspect your pool for a leak. However, there is a greater risk of damaging your pool equipment due to a low water level than the chance that your pool has a leak.
Final Thoughts
There are many benefits associated with installing a pool auto fill, also called an automatic pool water leveler, to a pool being constructed or an existing pool. If you are already a pool owner, or about to become one, installing an auto fill device can prevent costly damage to your pool equipment due to low water levels and prevent you from manually filling your pool up. The equipment is affordable and can be easy to install, making it a must-have for every pool owner.
