Q&A for How to Drain and Refill Your Swimming Pool

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Question

Do I need to add chemicals to a fresh pool?

Community Answer

Yes, you must add chemicals to keep the water clean.

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Question

How often should I drain my in-ground pool?

Community Answer

I drain and refill my indoor pool every other year. I also use it as a opportunity to patch up the tile grout and make other repairs.

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Question

Do I need to drain my 20,000-gallon pool all the way to have it measured for a new liner?

Community Answer

Try to measure it with a yard stick by sticking it down against the inside of the pool (as shown in the picture.) The length could be measured above the pool, along the walkway beside the pool edge. Width is the same if measured at the backside of the pool along the edge.

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Question

Do I need to add chemicals to a freshly filled pool?

Community Answer

Yes. I would shock the pool with 1 lb. of chlorine shock per 5000 gallons. Then, install your chlorine applicator (liquid or solid). Wait 24 hours with the pump circulating. Then, test the pH and chlorine content. I would also take a sample to a pool store for a complete analysis.

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Question

Is it safe to swim in a pool while it is being drained with a sump pump?

Community Answer

No, you should not swim while it is being drained.

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Question

Should I drain the pool in the heat of summer, or wait until fall or winter in California?

Community Answer

You can wait until it begins to cool down, such as fall time or beginning of winter. Try not to do it while it's too cold for your own health.

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Question

WIll an empty pool pop out of the ground?

Community Answer

The swimming pool will not pop-up out of the ground because the pool was put in the ground when installed. The only way the pool can come up out the ground only if you remove it out of the groud.

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Question

Can I drain pool water in the street

Community Answer

Yes, but locate the hose in the gutter or the storm drains and not across the street with traffic.

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Question

Should I bypass the water softener when filling pool?

Community Answer

Yes. Your water softener system most likely uses salt pellets. The salt can alter your chlorine levels and make your readings inaccurate, plus it would be a waste of expensive conditioning salt.

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Question

Do I have to remove the hydrostatic relief valves from the bottom of the pool when I am draining it to prevent it from popping out of the ground?

Rusty G

Community Answer

Especially on a concrete pool, you must open the hydrostatic valve as soon as you can get to it in order to make sure that underground water can get into the pool to release the pressure from below. Some pools have a separate pipe leading to the ground pit under the pool to allow you to drain the water out using a utility pump. In that case, you may not need a hydrostatic valve.

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Question

Can I just drain and fill a small lap pool weekly? I want to avoid using chemicals.

Community Answer

Can you? Yes. But it would be a huge waste of time and water. Look into adding salt (as opposed to chlorine) for an alternative.

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Question

How much does it cost to hire a professional to drain a swimming pool and refill it?

Community Answer

I was quoted $250 to drain the pool, refill it and then adjust the pH of the water with chemicals afterward so that it was good to go. Prices in your area may vary; call around to get the best value.

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Question

Do I need to drain the whole pool if the water hasn't been changed in 5 years?

Community Answer

My pool guy said that the whole pool should be drained and refilled every 5 to 6 years.

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Question

Should I turn off the circuit breaker before emptying an above ground swimming pool?

Community Answer

Yes, you do not want the pump to turn on and run dry. When a pump runs dry you can damage the seal or burn up the pump. Pumps can run upward of a $1000.00 dollars, depending on few different factors.

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