If you do find that you need to completely empty your swimming pool, it is important to do it safely and to do it correctly for the type of pool you have.
You might find that you need to empty your pool, especially if you need to drain a pool to make major repairs to the surface if you need to replace the liner, to do a deep cleaning, or to clean the water if you have very high TDS or Cyanuric Acid levels. If you can complete the work without totally emptying your pool, that is always preferable. If you do find that you need to empty your swimming pool, it is important to do it safely and to do it correctly for the type of pool you have. If you don’t, you could cause serious issues and damage to your pool.
Can I Safely Empty My Pool?
How much you can safely drain your pool and how long you can leave it empty for will depend on the type of pool you have. If your pool has a vinyl liner, you should avoid draining it all the way if you’re not replacing the liner. When the pool is empty, the vinyl liner can shrink and wrinkle. If your pool is fiberglass, you should be okay to drain it for a short time. Prolonged periods of being empty, however, could cause it to shift or pop up because of changes in the surrounding ground (like the water table). If your pool is concrete, it should be safe to leave it empty for a time, but you can also open the hydrostatic relief plugs on the floor for added peace of mind.
Best Times to Drain
Wait for warmer weather because the cold weather can be bad for the pool surface. You should not drain a pool until you’re ready to do the repairs, so it doesn’t sit empty for too long. Finally, avoid doing this work after heavy rains (or during rainstorms) because the rains can raise the water table and put pressure on the pool surface from below.
Draining Methods
There are several ways to drain your swimming pool. The best is to use your pool filter pump to drain the water. Close the skimmer valves or plug the skimmers and keep the main drain valve open fully. With the multiport valve in the recirculate position, turn on the pump and roll out the backwash hose. Monitor the water levels and the pump as the pool drains. You won’t empty a pool with the pump, but you can remove most of the water. The remaining water can be pumped out with a submersible pump. If you have a lot of solids in your water, which might clog a standard pump, consider a trash pump instead, which can handle the solids. If the water is very green, wash off the walls as the water level lowers so that the algae doesn’t dry on them.
Ready to Get a New Pool?
We here at Sunrise Premiere Pool Builders LLC can build and install your pool or spa and also provide you with pool chemicals, services, and more. If you have any questions, give us a call at 410-349-3852 today. To keep up with our latest projects and for helpful tips and tricks, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, and LinkedIn.