The draining of a swimming pool is not one that is undertaken with any regularity, but if you find that your pool needs to be drained — it is something that your Menifee, California swimming pool service contractor will discuss with you. Modern technologies and hardy building
materials mean that even vinyl liner pools rarely suffer rips or tears; even if it does there are waterproof materials that allow for pool repairs to be made with the water still in it. There are still times, though that draining of your swimming pool will simply need to be drained to make the repairs. Unless you are familiar with pool drainage techniques, you can seriously damage your swimming pool if you drain it without knowing how it’s done.
Your swimming pool service contractor from A Clear Choice Pool & Spa explain when it might be necessary to drain a pool and why it’s dangerous to do unless you’re trained:
- In-ground pools with vinyl liners: We caution you that this is the most dangerous type of pool to drain and should only be attempted by a swimming pool professional. If you have an older in-ground pool with a vinyl liner, it may not have the structural integrity to withstand not having water in it to keep it upright. If you drain it, the walls could collapse because these type of in ground pools are backfilled with dirt as the water levels rise – this helps equalize the pressure as the pool is filled. Modern in ground vinyl liner pools are now designed to hold the weight of the dirt without water in the pool. Also you will have to keep in mind that if you drain the water, the liner will float away from the wall. If ground water seeped in and under your pool liner, that will also cause the liner to float and wrinkle.
- Above ground swimming pool: If you have to drain the pool, and then refill it, keep in mind that the liner can shrink during the draining process and that could lead to tearing when you refill the pool. The older your pool liner is, the less it will stretch during the refill process – and this, too could lead to tearing. Keep in mind that you don’t want to drain your pool in cold weather as this will also reduce the stretch-ability of the liner. Once the pool has been drained and the repairs have been completed, it’s best to refill the pool as quickly as possible. You will want to recruit some friends to help keep wrinkles out when you’re refilling the pool. Don’t add more than an inch or two of water before you attempt shifting the liner back into position.
- Fiberglass and in ground concrete swimming pools: When you’re dealing with these pools, you can run into the same groundwater problems as you’d run into with vinyl pools. If your in ground or fiberglass pool was constructed properly, it should have the structural integrity to withstand the weight of the dirt that was backfilled. If the ground water that has built up is high enough though, keep in mind it can push the entire pool casing out of the ground.
If you and your pool service contractor decide it’s necessary to drain your swimming pool, he will take the steps necessary to make it happen and not damage the structural integrity of the pool.