
If high groundwater
Groundwater
Groundwater (or ground water) is the water present beneath Earth's surface in soil pore spaces and in the fractures of rock formations. A unit of rock or an unconsolidated deposit is called an aquifer when it can yield a usable quantity of water. The depth at which soil pore spaces or fra…
Can you drain a fiberglass pool if there is groundwater?
If high groundwater is present in your area, it is best to only partially empty your pool. 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.
How do I Stop my fiberglass pool from cracking?
Complete your cleaning as quickly as possible so you can refill your pool the same day you partially drained it. This allows less time for any water surrounding the outside of the pool to push inward and crack the fiberglass. Based outside Atlanta, Ga., Shala Munroe has been writing and copy editing since 1995.
How long does a fiberglass pool last?
You can expect your fiberglass pool to last at least 25 years. While concrete pools may last longer, they require resurfacing at least every 10 years—an expensive and time-consuming process. Can you drain a fiberglass swimming pool?
Do fiberglass pools have to be cross braced?
Waxahachie, Tx. a fiberglass pool has to have cross bracing installed inside the pool before draining. It's the weight and pressure of the exterior fill around the pool that can possibly colapse the shell.

How low can you drain a fiberglass pool?
While there are many myths about fiberglass pools, the one thing you should NEVER EVER do is DRAIN your fiberglass pool without professional help. Let me say that again, NEVER drain your fiberglass pool for any reason. In fact, we recommend NEVER letting the water level drop more than 2-3 inches below the skimmer!
Is it okay to drain a fiberglass pool?
Avoid draining your fiberglass pool if at all possible. You do not need to drain your fiberglass pool for dirty water, a new home, or a foreclosed or abandoned home. If you do need to drain it, hire a professional. Make sure to check the groundwater, brace the pool, and have a sump pipe and gravel backfill.
How do you half drain a pool?
1:045:34How to Drain the Water from Your Above Ground Pool - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOpen the shut-off out for just your main drain. Put your filter on back wash or rinse. And cut yourMoreOpen the shut-off out for just your main drain. Put your filter on back wash or rinse. And cut your pump on and it'll pump your water down to virtually nothing.
Can I partially drain my pool?
Fiberglass or vinyl-lined pools should never be completely drained or they could crack or bow. Partially drain them by approximately 1/3 volume at a time. Make sure you have your equipment turned off to protect it. Rent or purchase a submersible pump meant to handle the volume of water you're needing to drain.
What happens if fiberglass pool overflows?
If the pool overflows, now only will the pool chemicals be diluted, but they may contaminate the pool deck and surrounding landscape. Removing excess water quickly is important to prevent this.
Will draining a pool damage the liner?
If you drain your pool you can cause your vinyl pool liner to shrink and upon refilling, if the liner has lost its elasticity it can cause the liner to rip or tear. The liner can also become hard and brittle. The older the vinyl material is the more likely this is to happen.
How do I drain excess water from my pool?
1:133:48Draining Down Your Swimming Pool After Heavy Rain - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you wanted to drain more water you go ahead and stick it in a deep end then you would take theMoreIf you wanted to drain more water you go ahead and stick it in a deep end then you would take the other end of the hose. And place it by the drain.
How much water should I drain from my pool?
Your water should only be drained so it sits just below the skimmer and jets. This helps make sure that no water can get into the pumping system. You may also need to drain a few extra inches of water, depending on the type of pool cover you're using.
How do I lower the water level in my pool?
For inground pools with a sand or DE filter, the easiest way to quickly lower the water level is to place the multiport valve into the waste position and roll out the backwash hose. If instead, you have a slide (push-valve), backwash the filter to lower the water level.
What happens if pool water level is too high?
If the level is higher than that, it may slow or even stop debris from being pulled into the skimmer box through the plate or valve. This means that there will be floating debris left on your pool water surface as a result.
Is it best to drain a green pool?
DON'T DRAIN IT! Depending on factors like water temperature, the amount of solids in the pool, and the capabilities of your pool filter system, the process can take 3 days or 3 weeks. Start up the Filter – Without a properly working filter, the water will never clear.
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.
What causes a fiberglass pool to crack?
Water Pressure The cracks happen because fiberglass pools rely on the pressure of the water in the pool to exert force against the pressure of the soil around them to maintain their structure.
How long does an inground fiberglass pool last?
Most fiberglass pools are known to last 25-30 years, but we take that to the next level. Our manufacturer, Narellan Pools, makes the best fiberglass pools around. Their unique fiberglass formula results in a pool that can last as long as 50 years! Plus, these pools are notoriously easy to maintain.
How do you winterize a fiberglass pool?
0:049:56How to Winterize/Close a Fiberglass Pool (Video) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe first thing we have to do is we've got to blow out our filter system and that's the first thingMoreThe first thing we have to do is we've got to blow out our filter system and that's the first thing that we're going to show you is how to blow out the filter. System.
How do you clean an empty fiberglass pool?
0:312:37Cleaning Fiberglass Pools - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe want to start off with taking a wet rag or a wet sponge. And then saturate about a quarter of theMoreWe want to start off with taking a wet rag or a wet sponge. And then saturate about a quarter of the pool with with your lime wood. Cleaner. We go and you want to take your rag or sponge.
How to clean a pool with lime and calcium?
4. Turn on the sump pump and monitor the water level carefully. To clean algae or lime and calcium deposits off the pool, you only need to remove about 6 inches of water. When almost 6 inches are drained, turn off the sump pump. The hose may still pull water from the pool for a few seconds.
What is fiberglass pool?
Fiberglass pools are an affordable below-ground pool option. They are single-piece pools that are installed quickly, rather than built in place with concrete and plaster.
Can you drain a pool with a hose?
Although you aren't draining the entire pool, you'll be removing many gallons quickly. If the hose reaches to a street sewer entry built to collect rainwater runoff, lay the hose inside the drain. If not, point it so that the water won't run into your neighbors' yards or directly onto the road.
Can you refill a pool the same day you partially drained it?
Complete your cleaning as quickly as possible so you can refill your pool the same day you partially drained it. This allows less time for any water surrounding the outside of the pool to push inward and crack the fiberglass.
Why brace fiberglass pool when draining?
I won’t go into how to do this, but it’s good practice to brace fiberglass pools when draining them because they are engineered to remain full of water.
How long does it take for a fiberglass pool to clear?
But for the most part, a fiberglass pool will be crystal clear within a matter of 1–3 days of adding chemicals and vacuuming. 2. Someone moves into a home with a fiberglass pool. We take time to educate our customers of the importance of not draining the pool. However, we have had an instance or two when someone else purchased a home with one ...
What is the best material for a river pool?
Clean, crushed stone is the ideal material (again, a key component of The River Pools Way)—it drains well, and the point-on-point friction helps it stay in place. This helps keep bulges from developing in the side walls of the pool.
What type of soil is best for a pool?
Your type of soil will determine how long water remains in the cavity outside your pool. Sandy soil is most permeable; clay is least. If there is water around the outside of the pool, the water either needs to be removed, ...
Can you drain a fiberglass pool with a sump pipe?
We're confident that we can safely drain a fiberglass pool if it has a sump pipe and stone backfill.
Can fiberglass pools be damaged?
A good percentage of fiberglass pools will incur some damage if the pool is drained without taking proper measures.
Can you drained a pool when someone else purchased it?
However, we have had an instance or two when someone else purchased a home with one of our pools and the new homeowner drained the pool for some reason…again, big no-no!
Why is my pool draining?
Another reason for draining — or partially draining — is high Cyanuric Acid (CyA) levels. CyA builds up in the water and cannot be removed by the addition of chemicals, so the most economical way to reduce CyA is to partially empty the pool and add fresh water, which dilutes the remaining CyA in the water.
How long does it take to refill a pool?
After removing the old water, you can refill the pool with a garden hose. The usual amount of time to entirely refill a pool is 14-16 hours with two hoses. DIY TIP: To fill the pool quicker, use two hoses if you have them available.
How to fill a pool faster?
DIY TIP: To fill the pool quicker, use two hoses if you have them available. Test your water immediately after refilling to balance and. add start-up chemicals. You can also take a water sample into a Leslie’s store for testing. Leslie’s. will test your water and provide the results with a prescription for improving.
Why does my pool pop out of the ground?
Consider the groundwater levels in your area. High groundwater levels can cause an empty in-ground pool to pop out of the ground. If high groundwater is present in your area, it is best to only partially empty your pool.
When to remove trippers from pool light?
Remove the trippers from your pump and pool light prior to draining.
Can you drain a pool with a submersible pump?
There are a few things to keep in mind in order to drain your pool safely. Never use your pool pump to try to drain the pool. Inevitably, you will pull air into your suction line, the pump will lose its prime, and you will damage or burn up your pump. Always rent or purchase a submersible pump to drain the pool. Remember to turn off the electricity to your pump and pool light.
Can you drain a fiberglass pool?
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.
What Time of Year is Best to Drain a Pool?
Because of this, the best time to drain your pool is when the weather is mild. If the temperature will be over 85 degrees at any point in the process, it is best to postpone. The same is true of temperatures near or below freezing.
Why do pools need to be drained?
Most pools rarely need to be drained. Because the process of draining a swimming pool without damaging it can be difficult, experts have figured out ways to do most necessary work without removing all of the water. However, there are a few reasons why you might have to drain your pool: Total dissolved solids levels.
Why does my pool pop out of the ground?
Before draining your pool, the groundwater levels should be considered. If water levels in the area are high enough, they can actually cause your empty pool to pop out of the ground. In addition, fiberglass and vinyl liner pools require special treatment because they are typically not built to be drained entirely.
How often should I drain my pool?
Most professionals recommend draining your pool every three to five years in order to keep TDS levels low, which I agree with. How often your pool needs to be drained depends on a number of factors, including overall use. If the pool is partially drained every winter, this dilutes TDS levels and will extend the interval between complete water changes.
How long does it take to drain a pool?
Completely draining a pool with a garden hose can take a day or more. In most cases, it will then need to be at least partially refilled, so you can plan on the process taking a couple of days to complete, at the minimum. There are several reasons that you might need to fully or partially drain your pool.
What to do if you are not 100 percent certain your pool needs to be drained?
If you are not 100 percent certain that your pool needs to be drained, you should consult a professional. Many pool repairs can be done underwater, and many problems with the water can be treated rather than requiring replacement. If you do not know what the water table is in your area, or you are not completely certain that you know how to drain your pool, talk with a pool pro that can help out.
What is TDS in pool?
Total dissolved solids (TDS) are substances that accumulate in the pool water over time. Eventually, they cause water chemistry to become very unstable. This means more and more chemicals are required in order to maintain your pool water within the correct parameters.
What is Viking pool made of?
Every Viking pool is made from the highest-grade fiberglass and ceramic materials. And we have the pool installation experience, expertise and know-how to make your project a success.
How long does a fiberglass pool last?
You can expect your fiberglass pool to last at least 25 years. While concrete pools may last longer, they require resurfacing at least every 10 years—an expensive and time-consuming process.
Is fiberglass pool safe?
Durable and resistant to bacteria and algae, fiberglass pools are a safe and long-lasting alternative to traditional concrete pools. Unlike concrete pools, fiberglass pools do not require periodic resurfacing. This means that you pay less in maintenance costs throughout the life of your pool.
Can you drain a fiberglass pool?
Due to the nature of the materials, it’s not a good idea to completely drain your fiberglass pool. However, you can partially drain it while you perform cleaning or maintenance on your pool. If your pool does need maintenance that will require the pool to be drained, contact a professional to make sure it’s done correctly.
