Is it OK to leave a concrete pool empty?

Author: Tom Armstrong  |  Last update: Saturday, May 14, 2022

Concrete Pools
Once water is removed (and subsequently, the interior hydrostatic pressure), if there's an influx of groundwater, it will push the pool up and out of place. As a general rule, you shouldn't keep any pool empty for longer than it needs to be.

Is it bad for a pool to be empty?

Draining or emptying your pool of water can create a number of financial and structural headaches, including: Cracking the pool's shell. Damaging the interior lining or surface. Damaging the pool's coping and surrounding paving or timber work.

Should you drain a concrete pool for winter?

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.

Is it OK to leave a gunite pool empty?

Your in-ground gunite pool is designed to hold water. When you remove the water from a gunite pool and leave it empty, you run a significant risk of damaging your pool. ... The external pressure of water in the surrounding soil can collapse the gunite or even pop it up out of the ground.

How long can you leave a pool empty?

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.

Can I leave my inground pool empty over winter?

Will a pool collapse without water?

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.

What do you do with an empty pool?

50 Alternative Uses for Your Empty Pool
  1. Skate park.
  2. Bulldog skate park.
  3. Roller rink.
  4. Racquetball court.
  5. Handball court.
  6. Volleyball “equalizer” court (tall folk in the deep end, short folk in the shallow end)
  7. Dog park.
  8. Cat corral.

Can I leave my inground pool empty over winter?

It's not good to leave your pool empty when the weather gets cold. Leaving your pool filled with water can help prevent your vinyl or concrete foundation from being damaged.

How much should I drain my pool?

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.

Can a concrete pool pop out of the ground?

Hydrostatic pressure, or water pushing upwards, is the reason why pools can pop up out of the ground. To alleviate this problem, the majority of concrete pools are built with a hydrostatic relief valve.

Can an inground pool collapse?

The weight of ice or snow are common culprits of pool collapse. Draining your pool too much. An older inground pool may not be able to withstand the weight of dirt against it once it is empty or if the water levels are too low. Groundwater can also push against the pool walls and cause it to collapse.

Can you drain a pool and leave it empty?

An empty swimming pool can pop, or float out of the ground. This is due to possible hydrostatic pressure from unknown underground water.

How often should you change the water in an inground pool?

Generally, pool water needs to be replaced once every five to seven years. This should be done during mild weather so that your pool surface is not at risk from strong sunlight and heat. Your pool maintenance company can recommend when it is time to drain your pool.

Where do I drain my pool water?

To Drain Your Pool or Spa
  1. Locate the sewer cleanout on your property or an indoor drain such as a sink or bathtub.
  2. Using a hose, connect a siphon or sump pump that pumps 20 gallons or less per minute to the cleanout or indoor drain. ...
  3. Pump the water from the pool or spa to the cleanout or indoor drain.

How do you protect an empty pool?

Keeping the Pool in the Ground
  1. Don't drain the pool during extended periods of heavy rain. ...
  2. Pump the discharge to a storm drain, or to a point far away from the pool. ...
  3. Pump downhill from the pool. ...
  4. Open the hydrostatic pressure relief plugs on the pool floor. ...
  5. Work Fast.

Can you close a dirty pool?

Closing a pool that is green with algae, or dirty with debris or with water that is unbalanced, leads to heavy staining and saturation of the water with dead algae cells, which makes it easier for subsequent generations to grow.

How long does a cement inground pool last?

A well-maintained concrete pool should last around 50 years or more. And a well constructed in-ground concrete swimming pool should last a lifetime. But, a pool's liner or finish won't last long. And thus, an in-ground concrete pool will need to be resurfaced every 10 to 15 years.

Can you fill in an inground pool with dirt?

Backfilling a pool is the process of filling the empty space left by the inground pool with gravel, sand, or dirt. Backfilling is just one part of the pool removal process. The concrete floor and walls of the pool must be broken up and/or removed prior to backfilling.

How do I temporarily fill my pool?

5 Creative Ways to Fill the Pool
  1. Turn Your Pool Into a Deck. You don't have to bring in the jackhammers and dirt to fill in your pool if you transform it into a deck. ...
  2. Turn Your Pool Into a Pond. ...
  3. Turn Your Pool Into a Greenhouse. ...
  4. Turn Your Pool Into a Garden. ...
  5. Turn Your Pool Into a Sunken Patio.

Can I leave my above ground pool empty?

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. ... The bottom line is never leave your above ground pool sitting empty for any extended period of time.

Can a pool lose an inch of water a day?

Pool Is Losing 1 Inch of Water Per Day

Losing more than ½” of pool water per day indicates you likely have a leak in your pool's structure or your pool pump system. You should call your pool service for a thorough leak inspection. You might not be able to keep up with refilling your pool at this point.

Will pool water hurt my lawn?

If an individual empties their pool water on their lawn, will it end up killing the turf? In most cases very little to no damage has been seen in these situations. Turf can endure higher chlorine levels than other landscape plants such as trees, shrubs, and ornamentals.

How long before pool water goes bad?

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.

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