What happens if you drain a pool completely?
The side walls can bulge out when the water is drained, and the floors can also split, leading to expensive repair bills not only to the fiberglass shell, but to the plumbing and deck as well.
How far down can I drain my pool?
Drain your water no more than 6 inches below. the bottom of the skimmer if you plan to use a solid. winter cover.
How long can a pool be empty?
So even though it's in theory possible to leave the pool empty for months, we at The Complete Backyard only recommend leaving it empty for up to 2 weeks. Once you've drained the concrete pool, have it in mind to refill it as soon as possible.
Why you shouldn't drain your pool?
Keeping water in the pool helps to prevent the liner from drying out, shrinking and cracking. An empty pool is far more prone to liner wear and damage. Additionally, even with a cover, an empty pool is more at risk for damage from debris.
Can I drain my pool in the summer?
However, if the pool has a stone or Pebble Tec finish, it is pretty safe to drain a pool during the summer months, Good said.
Should I empty pool for winter?
If high groundwater is present in your area, it is best to only partially empty your pool. Never completely drain a fiberglass or inground vinyl-lined pool. Doing so can damage the integrity of the pool surface or liner, resulting in bowing or cracking.
Can I drain my pool halfway?
Unless you prefer to completely drain your pool instead of going through the standard motions of closing your above-ground pool for the winter, you should only need to drain your pool once every few years.
Should I completely drain my above ground pool?
Additionally, when concrete pools are drained, the walls and floor of the pool can shrink and crack, which can lead to leaks and other problems.
Is it OK to drain a concrete pool?
If the water is left without chlorine or other sanitizers, bacteria and algae can start growing, which may be harmful to health. Here's a general idea: In warm temperatures and sunlight: If it's hot and the pool is exposed to sunlight, bacteria and algae can start growing within 24 to 48 hours.
How long can a pool go without chlorine?
Yes you can turn your pool pump off for a week. You can turn it off for a month, but there are consequences. The pool will get dirty—no pump, no filtering. The chemicals will not circulate and the water could start turning a nice shade of green as algae forms.
How long can a pool sit without pump running?
I. If the pool ever needs to be drained to replace the water or to maintain the plaster, it should never be left empty for more than eight to ten days at the most. More than this may cause the plaster to dry out and crack. Keep your pool full for best results.
Will draining a pool damage the plaster?
As mentioned, once your water turns green, you may need to drain your pool as soon as possible. The green color is caused by Algae blooms which happens only when your chlorine is not enough to prevent it. Why is that so? Chlorine loses its potency because of chemical balance, or the lack of it.
Do I need to drain my pool if it turns green?
Remove the pool light and tippers from the pump before draining the pool. Avoid using the pool pump. It's going to suck air into the suction line and ultimately damage your pump. We advise you to rent or buy a submersible pump and use it to drain the pool water.
What precautions should be taken when draining a pool?
Drain the pool about four to six inches below the skimmer then add a skimmer cover. Blow up the air pillow and place it in the middle of your pool. Put on the pool cover and secure with winter cover clips. Remove the ladder and other deck equipment.
How far down should I drain my pool for winter?
Although it may seem scary to leave water in a pool during freezing temperatures, you can actually damage your pool more by removing too much water. Your water should only be drained so it sits just below the skimmer and jets.
How much water should be left in pool for winter?
You not only have to worry about damage to your pool if you don't winterize it, but there is also potential damage that can be done to your deck. If you have an in-ground pool, all of the pipes are under the concrete deck. If these pipes freeze and crack, they could cause damage to your pool deck.
What happens if you don't winterize your pool?
This design would allow the full force of the water going into the main drain to create a tornadolike vortex. The use of two main drains allows the water flow to be diverted equally between two intake ports and suctioned through a new domed, slotted anti-vortex cover.
Why do pools need 2 drains?
Draining and refilling your pool is an essential part of maintaining its quality. Even with proper maintenance and care, your pool will still need to be drained and refilled on occasion. Luckily, draining and refilling your pool is a simple process that only requires a few basic pieces of equipment.
Can I drain my pool and refill it?
Maintenance is critical when it comes to the quality of your pool water. Well maintained pool water can last up to 5, maybe even seven years before you need to replace it. This means weekly cleaning, functional filters, and checking ph levels every day. Usage is a huge determining factor.
Does water in a pool get old?
Pools are designed to hold water; without the weight of the water pressure keeping them in place, they're at risk of significant damage, including “pop out” or collapse. Empty pools can compromise structural integrity, damage walls, floor or liner, and even impact surrounding decking.
Will pool walls collapse without water?
Leaving an above-ground swimming pool empty for an extended period, such as over two years, can have several consequences: Damage to the pool liner: The pool liner can become brittle and crack over time due to exposure to sunlight, heat, and cold temperatures.
What happens if I drain my above ground pool?
Pool drains play a crucial role in circulating water through a pool's filtering system, removing debris and dirt and keeping the water clean. This, however, requires strong suction that in turn creates a vacuum effect, often exerting as much as 350 to 500 pounds of pressure.
Why are pool drains so powerful?
Main drains are an essential component for water circulation within an inground swimming pool. Drains provide circulation in the deep end of the swimming pool, ensuring water clarity, proper distribution of water chemistry as well as maintaining a constant water temperature throughout the swimming pool.
Should a pool have a main drain?
But for the most part, experts say, there's no reason to worry. Chemicals like chlorine and bromine are added to swimming pools to fight germs. Swimming without them could be like swimming in a petri dish, exposing people to all sorts of potentially nasty microbes, experts say.
Is it safe to swim in a pool with 0 chlorine?
Too little chlorine permits chloramine compounds to form. It is these compounds that have the strong smell and that cause the irritation. If your pool smells strongly, check the chlorine level as you may need to add more chlorine.
Is it OK to swim if chlorine is low?
Chlorine is added to the water to kill germs. But it does not work right away. If used properly, free chlorine* can kill most germs within a few minutes. CDC recommends pH 7.2–7.8 and a free chlorine concentration of at least 1 ppm in pools and at least 3 ppm in hot tubs/spas.
Do pools really need chlorine?
As much as you can
If your question is “How often should I run my pump to keep the pool at its best?” the answer would be 24/7 for as much of the year as the pool is in operation.
Is it OK to run pool pump 24 hours a day?
Shock the pool twice as hard as you normally would. The chlorine levels will be higher than what you need, but that one-time shock won't be harmful to the pool. If you will be gone for several weeks or months, you'll need to hire someone to do the pool maintenance for you, including shocking the pool once a week.
Can I leave pool for 2 weeks?
Fallen leaves, flower petals, and other debris can quickly turn your serene oasis into a bit of a mess. In such cases, running the pump while swimming can help prevent debris from settling on the pool's surface, making your post-swim cleaning routine much smoother.
Do you run pool pump while swimming?
Pool pros suggest 85 degrees is the best temperature to drain a pool. In-ground pools can blister or crack when drained in high temperatures.
What temperature should I drain my pool?
Adding large doses of chlorine to water in one spot may cause mineral and metal fallout or bleaching. This may cause staining of fresh plaster.
Does too much chlorine damage pool plaster?
Chlorine can cause discoloration and etching of your plaster if it is not properly balanced. Chlorine levels that are too high can damage your pool surface, while low levels can lead to the growth of algae and other harmful bacteria. If you notice a stain on the pool wall, it's best to address it immediately.
Does chlorine damage pool plaster?
Tom Good, president of Swimming Pool Service and Repair, said that during the summer, it is not wise to drain your pool, especially if the pool has a plaster finish, because plaster is "not going to handle the extreme temperatures."
Can you drain a pool in the summer?
Pools can immediately turn green after being shocked when they have metals like copper in the water. These metals oxidise when exposed to high levels of chlorine, which makes the pool water turn green.
Can chlorine turn a pool green?
If the pH is high, your chlorine is slow to react, and algae can begin to form, making the pool appear green or cloudy. If the pH is low, the chlorine will be “hyperactive”, reacting quickly, and dissipating out of the pool too rapidly, causing a low chlorine residual.
Will a pool turn green if the pH is low?
Never drain pool or spa to a septic system. Drain your pool or spa water to your vegetated landscape, lawn or rocky areas on your property that allow the water to percolate into the ground. Salt or saline pool water contains higher concentrations of salts that can be more damaging to plants and soils.
Where should I drain my pool water to?
Having stabilizer in pool water is a good thing, but when there is too much in the water, it can cause your chemicals to work less effectively. Because of this, you would end up spending more money over time. The most effective way to lower high stabilizer levels is to drain and add fresh water.
Why would someone drain a pool?
Even with proper and regular pool maintenance, it's often necessary to drain your pool — either completely or partially — every 3-5 years. Draining your pool often isn't necessary, especially if you're following a proper and regular maintenance program.
How many times should you drain your pool?
Even without the water it's possible that the concrete will start to sag. So even though it's in theory possible to leave the pool empty for months, we at The Complete Backyard only recommend leaving it empty for up to 2 weeks. Once you've drained the concrete pool, have it in mind to refill it as soon as possible.
Is it OK to drain a pool and leave it empty?
The maximum recommended discharge rate to your sanitary sewer is 12 gallons per minute, but will depend on the size of the drain line, distance to the sewer main, and the condition of the pipe. Use caution, as some submersible pumps will discharge water too fast and may cause water to backup into the yard or the house.
How much water can I drain from my pool?
First of all, you do not want to completely drain your pool because it can cause problems of its own. Your pool is made to have water in it. When your pool is empty, it is more vulnerable to damage. From debris, to dry rot, and everything in between, an empty pool just isn't protected.
Can I completely drain my pool for the winter?
Though the growth rate of algae slows down as water gets colder, we recommend keeping the free chlorine level between 2 and 4 ppm, as mentioned above. In some areas it's possible to see steady temperatures above 60 degrees in January or even February, giving algae a chance to grow. Don't risk it.
Does pool need less chlorine in winter?
Your pool water level should not be too low, as the water must support the cover in situations where you receive a heavy snowfall. At the same time, ideally you don't want the water to touch the underside of the cover under general conditions as that contact will create a wet spot where debris will accumulate.
Should my winter pool cover touch the water?
On a monthly basis throughout the winter, you'll need to perform some routine chemical maintenance. Never use chlorine tablets during the winter: you'll want to opt for Assault 73 Shock or Quick Shock granular chlorine once a month (1 pound per 10,000 gallons.)
Does pool need chlorine in winter?
You Could Damage Your Pipes
Any standing water that you leave in the pipes is bound to freeze. Much like what we talked about in the filter, the freezing water will expand and put a ridiculous amount of pressure on your skimmer, pipes and anything else that can become full of water.
What happens if I don't close my pool?
For in-ground pools, lower the water a few inches below the skimmers or any decorative tile to prevent ice damage. If you're winterizing an above-ground pool and using skimmer covers to keep the water out of the skimmers during the winter, you don't need to drain water from the pool.
Should I drain my pool or winterize it?
Drain the pool about four to six inches below the skimmer then add a skimmer cover. Blow up the air pillow and place it in the middle of your pool.
How far should I drain my pool?
Consider the levels of groundwater in your area. A high water table can cause an in-ground pool to flood on the ground. If the level of groundwater is high, it's advisable for you to drain the pool partially.
When should I partially drain my pool?
If ground water is not a problem a pool can be left empty for weeks or even months as long the hydrostatic relief in the bottom of the pool is open and functioning. If the time frame of the pool being empty gets into freezing weather there is real risk of freeze-thaw damage to surface of the pool.
How long can a pool be empty?
Why should you drain your pool? As mentioned, once your water turns green, you may need to drain your pool as soon as possible. The green color is caused by Algae blooms which happens only when your chlorine is not enough to prevent it.
Should I drain my pool to get rid of algae?
How long can pool sit without pump?
Is it OK to leave a plaster pool empty?
Can a pool last 50 years?
How often does a swimming pool need to be drained?
What is the longest time spent in a pool?
I. If the pool ever needs to be drained to replace the water or to maintain the plaster, it should never be left empty for more than eight to ten days at the most. More than this may cause the plaster to dry out and crack. Keep your pool full for best results.
Can a pool last 50 years?
Most pool professionals suggest draining in-ground pools every five to seven years. Depending on a pool's condition, this may vary. If homeowners maintain the pool properly and keep chlorine and pH levels at the appropriate levels, there's no need to do it more often.