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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.