The answer is always NO. Above ground pools need the weight of the water in them to provide an optimal level of stability. Without water supporting the wall you run the risk of the pool wall coming out of the track. Also without water in the pool the liner can shrink and no longer fit your pool.
The Problem With An Empty Pool
When that amount of weight and pressure is removed from the structure, the pool can actually pop out of the ground due to ground pressure forcing it up. This can compromise its structural integrity, damaging the walls, floor, liners, and even the deck itself.
You'll need to keep draining water off the cover with a pump or siphon to protect it from damage. Important: Never drain an above ground pool completely when winterizing. Your vinyl liner can dry out, shortening its life considerably.
An empty pool (or as little as 1/4 filled) and an exposed liner on a hot day can cause the liner to shrink from the heat and deem the liner useless. An empty pool is also susceptible to collapse. Especially, in high winds and/or bad weather.
Modern concrete pools can usually stand being drained for as long as needed, but there'll still be a risk of popping if the ground water level is high. Fibreglass pools are less resilient. The floor may come loose and float to the top when refilled, even after a short period.
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.
Filling your pool with dirt is the fastest and most affordable way to get rid of a pool because there's no need to remove your concrete or metal shell. This saves on both labor and hauling costs. However, filling a pool with dirt is still a delicate process that requires careful preparation, drainage, and demolition.
As noted, typical maintenance or winterizing your pool shouldn't require you to completely drain the water. You risk damaging your pool liner and the structure of your above ground pool.
Most inground fiberglass and concrete pools are built structurally to withstand the weight of the dirt against them when drained. However, if the groundwater is high enough, it can push the entire pool out of the ground. The pool shell acts like a ship and floats up in the groundwater.
In general, draining this type of pool is the trickiest. Inground pools made of concrete or gunite are susceptible to popping out of the ground if drainage is not done properly. If there has been a surplus of rain recently or your pool is located in a wet area, it is best not to try and drain the pool yourself at all.
Should I drain my pool to get rid of algae? Yes, you can because it saves time and money, but only if you do it properly. Use the main drain in your pool and drain water through the filter pump. Or rent or borrow the pump, place the hose down the street or storm drain, and drain.
If you can pump around 30 GPM (gallons per minute), which is also equivalent to 1800 GPH (gallons per hour), it should take you 2.78 hours or 2 hours and 46 minutes to drain your pool using a hose.
Smart Backfilling
But don't backfill until you've filled the pool with water. Most above-ground pools aren't designed to withstand pressure from the outside. If you backfill around an empty pool, you run the risk of the pool structure collapsing inward.
At an average of $0.004 per gallon, city water is the most inexpensive and most popular option. For 15,000 to 30,000 gallons, you'll pay between $60 and $120.
2018. A high-quality above ground pool from Valley Pool & Spa should last between 10 and 20 years depending on how well you care for it. However, your pool liner will not last as long as your pool. Contact a pool expert at our store to see if you need a new liner before you decide to replace your entire pool.
An above ground pool removal costs $300 to $800 on average, depending on the size. Demolishing an above ground pool with a deck costs $1,000 to $5,000, depending on if landscaping, backfill, or excavating a sand base is required. Some contractors charge less if they can recycle the metal frame.
Pool industry experts recommend you drain your pool and refill it every five to seven years. No two pools are alike, so there is no set number at which you must drain your pool.
Even with proper and regular pool maintenance, it's often necessary to drain your pool — 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.
Remove any top decking concrete walkways, coping tiles and any other concrete around the pool that you don't want anymore. Toss it into the pool over the holes you have made. Cover the old cement with a layer of crushed rock. Then cover this with a layer of sand, or just fill it up the rest of the way with dirt.