For vinyl liner pools however (and fiberglass pools too), draining completely is discouraged, and is to be avoided, unless absolutely necessary. Big problems can result from draining a vinyl liner pool. The most common problem is that an older liner can pull away from the walls, and shrink somewhat.
Can you drain a vinyl liner inground pool?
While you may think the best thing to do to prepare for winter is to drain the pool, a vinyl-lined pool should not be drained under regular circumstances. Since the water secures it to the pool, draining it can cause the liner to lose elasticity. The liner can shrink causing tears and rips upon refilling.
How do you drain a vinyl above ground pool?
But regardless of your own pool care style, the time to drain your above-ground pool will come.
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Drain Your Above-Ground Pool for Storage—In Five Steps
- Secure Your Submersible Pump. ...
- Get That Water Out of There. ...
- Finish the Job. ...
- Dry the Liner. ...
- Store the Liner and Pool Frame.
Can I just drain my pool?
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.
Will my above ground pool collapse if I drain it?
An empty pool (or as little as 1/4 filled) and an exposed liner on a hot day can cause the liner to shrink from the heat and deem the liner useless. An empty pool is also susceptible to collapse. Especially, in high winds and/or bad weather. Keep in mind!
27 related questions foundCan I drain my pool for the winter?
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 much does it cost to drain an above ground pool?
If you have an above-ground pool with a vinyl pool liner, drain the pool to about 1 inch below the bottom of the skimmer mouth. It's acceptable to drain the pool a few more inches below that if you live in an area that gets heavy precipitation during the winter months.
How can I drain my pool without flooding the yard?
All you need is a medium-size water or vacuum pump. Unroll the pump's intake hose so that it reaches the center of the pool (or as close to it as possible), and submerge it in the pool. Place the outlet hose so the exiting water doesn't flood the area, but drains off away from the pool.
How do you empty an inground swimming pool?
How to Drain A Pool with a Cartridge Filter
- Shut off the pump.
- Go to the back of the filter and unscrew the drain plug.
- Turn the pump back on and let the water run until it reaches the point where you want to drain the water out.
- Turn the pump back off and put the plug back into the drain plug.
How do I get rid of the last 2 inches of water in my pool?
Since both draining methods will not drain pool water to the last bit, you need to remove the extra liquid left at the bottom.
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To do so, you can:
- Use a wet vacuum to suck the stagnant water.
- Sweep the liquid into the drain.
- Remove the pool liner and flip it over somewhere your property to get rid of extra water.
Where can I drain my pool water?
You have two main options to drain or backwash your pool:
- YOUR YARD. This is a great option since it allows you to reuse water you already paid for and could reduce your landscape water use. ...
- THE SANITARY SEWER. You can also drain or backwash your pool into your home's sanitary sewer cleanout.
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.
Is it OK to completely drain an inground pool?
Never completely drain a fiberglass or inground vinyl-lined pool. Doing so can damage the integrity of the pool surface or liner, resulting in bowing or cracking. The only time you should fully drain a vinyl pool is if you're replacing the liner. Otherwise, the best practice is to partially drain these types of pools.
Can you pressure wash a vinyl pool liner?
No, you should not use a pressure washer to clean a vinyl pool liner. A pressure washer is very powerful and could easily tear your liner, resulting in a very costly repair.
How long can a pool be 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 long does it take to drain a pool with a garden hose?
If you can pump around 30 GPM (gallons per minute), which is also equivalent to 1800 GPH (gallons per hour), it should take you 2.78 hours or 2 hours and 46 minutes to drain your pool using a hose.
Are pool main drains necessary?
Main drains are not required in an inground swimming pool, however, they are strongly recommended and can be extremely useful in some circumstances. The advantages of main drains are to give you the ability to drain the water from your pool without the use of a sump pump. This is useful when replacing your pool liner.
How long does it take to drain a 10000 gallon pool?
A 10,000 gallon pool will take about 14 hours to drain, the maximum rate recommended by the City of Phoenix. It will take twice as long to drain if the pool size is doubled or cut in half.
Can I drain my pool into the storm drain?
Pool water should never be drained to the street or the storm drain. Storm drains in the Bay Area typically run into local creeks, rivers and the bays. In most places, it's against the law to drain pools and spas this way because pool water contains chemicals that can endanger or kill wildlife.
How do you drain a pool with a pump?
How to Drain an Inground Pool
- Rent or buy a submersible pump. ...
- Monitor the Draining Process. ...
- Turn Off and Remove the Submersible Pump. ...
- Open a Hydrostatic Pressure Relief Valve. ...
- Perform the Work You Drained the Pool For. ...
- Replace the Hydrostatic Pressure Relief Valve. ...
- Refill the Pool. ...
- Turn on the Pool Pump.
How far should you drain an above ground pool for 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 often should you replace swimming 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.
How much does it cost to fill a pool?
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.