Pool Maintenance: How to Drain a Pool the Right Way

Do you know about pool pop-ups?

These are rare incidents almost always causing a total loss for your pool. It happens when water seeps into the ground and causes enough pressure to pop out the shell. Pool pop-ups usually occur when it is empty.

It is only one of the risks of doing pool maintenance yourself. If you want to drain your pool, make sure you know the proper way. Read on and learn some pool draining tips below.

Pick an Appropriate Day

Avoid draining the pool when it’s raining. Pick a sunny day, but make sure it’s not scorching hot. Aside from the discomfort, it can wreck the swimming pool.

Extreme heat may damage the pool liner, walls, and floors without the water in it. That said, pick a day or a series of days when you have enough time for pool maintenance. Never leave your pool without water or let it sit in the heat for too long.

The date should be far ahead that you have enough time to let the chemicals dissipate first. The water should be chlorine neutral with a neutral pH. You may also use a chlorine neutralizer to speed up the process.

Find a Disposal Site

Where do you dump over 10 gallons of water when draining a pool? First, make sure to check any local ordinances governing pool water disposal. 

Some cities require you to drain pool water into the sewage system because of the chemical levels. In general, you can’t dump it into the streets, gutters, and storm drains.

You can use it to irrigate your lawn instead, as long as it’s safe for the plants. To be sure, ask your local water authority.

Turn Off the Electricity

Turn off the electricity to your pump and pool lights. Ignoring this pool draining advice can damage these accessories when they automatically turn on.

When your pump accidentally pulls in the air instead of water, it might overheat. Pool lights overheat without water and quickly shatter.

Pick a Pool Draining Process

The process depends on your pool. Is your pool in-ground or above-ground? What built-in system do you have?

Some systems have a drain valve, allowing you to pump out water to a certain level. You need not drain the water completely to prevent the pump from sucking air.

For pools without a draining system, you can use the siphon method. You can rent or buy a submersible pump. Otherwise, consider using a garden hose.

Learn More Pool Maintenance Tips

There’s a whole lot to learn for properly draining the pool before you get to the actual draining process. Our quick pool draining guide should help get a start on this tedious task but remember the risks, as well.

If you make a mistake, you risk damaging your pool. Let a professional do the job instead. Contact us today for any of your pool maintenance needs.