Should you drain a gunite pool in the winter?

Author: Jerel Tromp  |  Last update: Saturday, June 18, 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.

Is it OK to drain a gunite pool?

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.

When should you drain your 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 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.

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.

Can you powerwash your pool?

Though sometimes not as visible to the naked eye, buildup of algae, dirt, and other bacteria can leave the sides of your pool dirty and slimy. Hotsy power washers are the perfect DIY solution to a clean and spot-free pool to relax in all summer.

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.

Can you just fill in a pool with dirt?

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.

How often should a pool be drained and cleaned?

Except for emergencies (which we will discuss momentarily), home pools typically only need to be drained once every two or three years. Commercial pools, if properly maintained and serviced, should be drained and the water replaced annually.

Where do I drain my pool water?

The best way to drain the pool is to empty it directly into the sanitary sewer line outside your home. The process is simple but can be time-consuming, depending on how fast you are able to pump the water.

When should I drain my pool and start over?

Your pool professional will make the call on whether a repair warrants draining the pool. Finally, most pools should be drained and refilled about once every 5-7 years, or when the total dissolved solids (TDS) reaches over 2500 ppm. When this happens, it will become difficult to balance your pool water.

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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