Should I drain my gunite pool in the winter?

Author: Lexus Herzog  |  Last update: Friday, July 1, 2022

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.

How low should I empty my gunite pool for winter?

If you aren't using a skimmer cover and you live in an area where the water will freeze during the winter, you'll need to lower the water level of your pool before closing it up. The water level should be about a foot below the skimmer if you have a mesh cover, and about half a foot below the skimmer for solid covers.

How do you winterize a gunite pool?

How to Winterize Your In-Ground Concrete Pool
  1. Step 1 – Balance the Water Chemistry. ...
  2. Step 2 – Lowering the Water Level. ...
  3. Step 3 – Add the Necessary Chemicals to the Pool. ...
  4. Step 4 – Thoroughly Cleaning the Pool Filter. ...
  5. Step 5 – Blowing the Lines. ...
  6. Step 6 – Use Skimmer Bottles as a Precaution.

When should I drain my gunite pool?

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.

Do you have to drain a pool in the winter?

No, you don't need to drain all of the water. We know that draining your pool is a hassle and you want to conserve as much water as possible; however, it is necessary to drain some of the water out of your pool. You will need to drain the water level down below the skimmer level.

Can I leave my inground pool empty over winter?

Is it OK to leave an inground pool empty?

How long can you leave a pool empty? Well, the minimum amount of time possible in order to minimize the risk of serious damage. Most issues that require a pool drain will take at least a day or two to resolve, but it's recommended to not let it sit empty for any extended period of time.

How much does it cost to drain a pool for winter?

Labor Costs to Close a Pool

Pool cleaning is sometimes included in the closing or can range in costs from $50 to $100 depending on the size and condition of the pool. Having a typical inground pool winterized and drained will generally cost around $250 on average.

Can a gunite pool popped out of 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 you pressure wash a gunite pool?

Only pools constructed of plaster, exposed aggregate, or concrete are strong enough to withstand the power of a pressure washer. Any other type of pool, such as vinyl or fiberglass, must be cleaned using chemical treatments or using non-abrasive methods.

How do you clean and drain a gunite pool?

Start pouring your mixture of water and acid down the section of the pool you want to start with and wait for about 30 seconds to a minute for the acid to do its job. Scrub the area with an acid brush (found at pool supply store). After scrubbing thoroughly, take your garden hose and give it a final wash.

Can you drain a plaster pool for the winter?

For winterizing, the pool builder is recommending a safety cover for the upper pool (of course), but then when we close the spa, he is saying the best solution is to completely drain the spa and leave it empty and uncovered throughout the winter.

How do I drain my pool for winter?

Plug and Cover the Pool
  1. Remove the eyeball fitting on your return line and plug it with a rubber plug and wing nut.
  2. Drain the pool about four to six inches below the skimmer then add a skimmer cover.
  3. Blow up the air pillow and place it in the middle of your pool.
  4. Put on the pool cover and secure with winter cover clips.

How far drain inground pool winter?

In-Ground Pools

Drain the water down to no more than 6 inches from the bottom of the skimmer if you plan to use a standard floating winter cover. Use your pool filter, switched to the "Drain" setting, to empty the pool water.

Does draining a pool damage it?

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.

How long does a gunite pool last?

But a properly built Gunite pool can and should last for 100 years or more, with no risk of cracking whatsoever. We've been building Gunite pools for more than 40 years (more than 4000 swimming pools), and we've never had one crack yet.

Why is my gunite pool stains?

Cleaning Stains

If you have white crystals forming on the plaster, you probably you have calcium deposits. If you have gray or dark colored stains, then fiberglass or iron particles may be the culprit. Copper may be causing bluish-green stains, while manganese typically creates pink or red patches.

Is gunite the same as concrete?

You could refer to gunite as concrete's cousin because they are both in the same family, but have their differences. Gunite is the dry mixed form of sprayed concrete. Gunite typically only contains fine particles in its mix while concrete contains both large and small particles.

What is gunite pool pros and cons?

Gunite pools are incredibly durable and do not require a liner. This allows the pool to look better and retain its shape over time. One of the main disadvantages of a gunite pool is the time it takes to install the pool from start to finish.

Is it OK to leave a plaster pool empty?

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.

Is it OK to drain a concrete pool?

Draining a pool is risky business for several reasons. Your pool is not meant to be empty. Whether you have a vinyl, concrete, or fiberglass pool, it is at its best when it's full of water. Once the water is drained, you open yourself up to all sorts of damage, so drain a pool only when there is no other option.

How much does it cost to drain an above-ground pool for the winter?

In most cases, you will want to drain the pool to be at least 4 to 6 inches below the top of the skimmer. This allows adequate space for expansion of the water throughout the winter without risking damage to the pool.

How do I drain my pool fast?

How to Drain A Pool with a Cartridge Filter
  1. Shut off the pump.
  2. Go to the back of the filter and unscrew the drain plug.
  3. Turn the pump back on and let the water run until it reaches the point where you want to drain the water out.
  4. Turn the pump back off and put the plug back into the drain plug.

How often should you replace swimming pool water?

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.

Can you leave an above ground pool empty during winter?

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.

Will an inground pool collapse without water?

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.

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