When the pool is emptied, there's no more hydrostatic pressure inside the structure. At the same time, if there's an influx of groundwater, the exterior hydrostatic pressure will cause the pool to crack, bulge, or float (pop).
Rest assured that popped pools do not happen very often. But if they do, they can be costly to repair. While it is possible to perform that repair, it is best to avoid a floating pool in the first place.
If a water line breaks or leaks under or near a pool the soil may become fully saturated over time. When the saturation reaches a point, that there is sufficient water under the pool, it may cause the pool to float or pop up.
Thankfully, the pool pop up rarely happens. In fact, it's an extremely rare occurrence, and it usually happens when there's a major flooding event or hurricane in the area, which saturates the ground and creates a super high water table.
Additionally, a lack of water means there's a lack of moisture on the pool walls. If left exposed to long periods under the hot sun, pool finishes will dry out, creating cracks and flaking.
Pool pop-ups are quite common in areas with high water tables. A pool pop-up occurs when a pool “floats” out of the ground because of the hydrostatic pressure of ground water seeping into the pool excavation under the pool shell.
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.
The greatest danger you face when draining a pool is hydrostatic pressure. That's just a fancy term for the pressure of all of the groundwater around and under your pool pushing against your pool's walls and floors. Water is heavy, and hydrostatic pressure can be significant.
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.
“When we see a structurally cracked pool, it's usually pretty obvious. It's a crack running either down the side of a pool from the tile or through the bottom coping down the walls, across the floor, in corners, and very often, it's opened up enough that it can leak and bring water in.
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.
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.
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.
When to Replace the Pool Water
You should replace pool water every five to seven years. As much as possible, you should drain and refill your pool during mild weather. It's to avoid pool damage caused by direct sunlight and heat. Moreover, a pool maintenance company can recommend the ideal time to drain your pool.
Draining a pool can take up to 14 hours, depending on the size, so be sure to drain it on a day when you have sufficient free time. You need to be home to check on the pool, the hoses, and the pump frequently. Do not let the pump run dry or it can become damaged.
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.
Once a zone of heads is activated, the heads stay popped up for approximately thirty seconds up to a full minute (depending on the system and pump speed). Once they retract into the pool floor, the heads rotate slightly to make sure they face a new direction the next time they are activated.
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.
Maintenance is critical when it comes to the quality of your pool water. 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.
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.
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.
At an average of $0.004 per gallon, city water is the most inexpensive and most popular option. For 15,000 to 30,000 gallons, you'll pay between $60 and $120.
The average cost to fill in an inground pool is $4,000 to $16,000 for full demolition or $2,000 to $10,000 to fill in with dirt. An above ground pool removal costs $300 to $800, or $2,500 with a deck. The cost to get rid of a swimming pool depends on the size, depth, material, and accessibility.