Should you drain your in-ground pool?

The first thing you need to know about draining your pool is that in almost every situation, you should avoid doing this at all costs. 

Pool draining is extremely dangerous and largely unnecessary. Even a veritable swamp can be cleaned and managed without resorting to drainage. 

So why the big fuss? It may seem simple enough, suck out the water, give her a clean, fill her back up… What’s so dangerous about that? 

As you research this particular topic, you will notice a string of ‘WARNING’ notifications at the top of any article relating to pool draining, and they’re there for good reason. 

Water can leach under pool shells, especially after a lot of rain. If this is the case (and it is impossible to check) when a pool is emptied, the whole shell can heave. Essentially the under-shell water creates an upwards hydrostatic force that lifts the whole pool out of the ground. You can imagine the horrible implications of this. 

You also need to be sure that the pool shell can withstand the force of the surrounding earth without water. Fiberglass pools for example, do not withstand this pressure. Cement pools on the other hand, tend to be ok. 

So, if you have heeded all of the warnings and accepted the possible risk, and still feel compelled to go ahead with the pool drain, here is a basic overview of the process. We would strongly recommend seeking professional help. 

The Process

You should ask your local pool maintenance staff to check if there is a hydrostatic valve in the floor drain and get them to prop it open to ensure it doesn’t close. If there isn’t a hydrostatic relief valve, they will need to remove the plug in the floor drain and install a hydrostatic valve.

 You should choose a dry period without rain before draining your pool, and also check the water table for underground water levels. 

The first thing you will need to drain your pool is a submersible pump. You will also require a discharge hose. This hose will need to be long enough to reach a sewer drain fro the bottom of your pool. 

The submersible pump will then need to be lowered to the depth that you wish to drain your pool to. This is more challenging that it sounds. It is best to enlist professional help for this step. If you are planning to drain all of the water in your pool, you should place the pump in the deep end. 

Attach the hose

Next you will nee to ensure the hose is properly attached, and also check that it is connected to the sewer drain. This is best drain for the water to empty into, as it can be processed and reused by the city. Now you can turn the pump on. The water will gradually drain. As the water level drops, it is a good idea to rinse and clean the tiles where the water line was previously. 

The pump will look after the majority of the water; the last of it will have to be cleared manually with buckets. And voila, an empty pool. 

If this seems like a lot of work, that is because it is.  And it is easily avoidable with some routine cleaning.  Your sand pool filter will filter out all the debris and a lot of bacteria if kept in good working condition. A clean out of the filter ever fortnight will keep it in excellent working condition.  For all your other cleaning needs, look through pool and spa warehouse’s extensive collection of pool cleaners.  From the Kreepy Krauly to the barracuda pool cleaner we have a cleaner to suit your pool and your budget.