Big disclaimer: only authorized fiberglass pool professionals should drain a pool. Never drain a pool without professional assistance. For most (if not all) pool manufacturers, an authorized dealer must drain the pool, or you may void your warranty.
Avoid draining your fiberglass pool if at all possible. You do not need to drain your fiberglass pool for dirty water, a new home, or a foreclosed or abandoned home. If you do need to drain it, hire a professional. Make sure to check the groundwater, brace the pool, and have a sump pipe and gravel backfill.
Believe it or not, yes, you can move a fiberglass pool that has already been installed! It takes a bit of work and has to be done very carefully but a fiberglass pool can be removed from one yard and then installed in another yard.
Never completely drain a fiberglass or in-ground vinyl liner pool; doing so can damage the integrity of the pool surface or liner in the form of bowing or cracking. The best practice is to partially drain these types of pools. Always complete partial drains by 1/3 of the water at a time.
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.
To avoid surprise expenses, make sure your chosen contractor can provide you a detailed estimate of the entire removal cost beforehand. Transferring your old pool involves three stages: removal, refurbishing, and re-installation. Fortunately, you don't need to hire separate contractors for each task.
For people who are relocating to a new home or who want to give their backyard a significant makeover, the question often arises, “Can my fiberglass pool be moved?” The answer is “Yes.”
Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to safely move your above-ground pool from one location to another, whether that's across the backyard or across the state. With careful analysis and preparation, your pool can stay in use for years to come.
Most fiberglass pools are known to last 25-30 years, but we take that to the next level. Our manufacturer, Narellan Pools, makes the best fiberglass pools around. Their unique fiberglass formula results in a pool that can last as long as 50 years! Plus, these pools are notoriously easy to maintain.
First, if the draining is done at the wrong time or under the wrong conditions, you can actually risk damaging your pool structure and liner. All the water from your pool needs to go somewhere when it's drained, and that usually means the ground.
It's not cheap, or easy to move pool a pump, filter and heater to a new location. A pool company would probably charge $3,000-$6,000 for most moves, depending on how complicated your system is and how far it's being moved. If there is no gas heater to be moved, the cost can be considerably less.
B Dig the trench deeper than you want to – You'll be burying the pipes that connect the pump and filter to the pool. Don't bury them just beneath the grass. Go down more than that. You don't want them to get easily broken if someone is digging around that area of the yard years from now.
The most significant disadvantage of a fiberglass pool is the limitation on pool shapes and sizes. If you are looking for a large pool with multiple bodies of water or want a swim-up bar with bar stools built into the structure, then the fiberglass pool may not be the right choice for you.
Fiberglass pools are easy to maintain, quick to install, and very durable. They cost more upfront and aren't as customizable. Concrete pools are extremely durable and customizable but require heavy maintenance, the highest costs, and a slow installation.
Flooding Your Grass Is Not A Good Idea
The problem with draining your pool in the yard, if permitted by your local water regulatory laws, is that it will quickly reach its saturation level and increase the risk of flooding your lawn, drowning the roots of your grass, and attracting mosquitoes.
The average outdoor spigot on a home can produce up to 12 gallons per minute. A small pool can be filled in a few hours, while a large one can take 14 hours.
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.
Close the pool for winter – but don't drain it.
In winter, the water in your pool is still your friend. Especially when properly winterized, it helps to protect the pool liner, keep it clean and prevent unnecessary damage from debris, harsh weather and other factors.