How to Drain An In-ground Pool

Draining your in-ground pool can seem like quite the daunting task, however there are many reasons as to why you need to drain your pool regularly. With help from your local pool expert and a few simple(ish) steps, it can become an easy part of your regular pool maintenance habits.

Why should you drain your pool?

The reasons as to why you should drain your pool can range anywhere from the pH of the water needing to be corrected completely, leaving it in disuse for an extended amount of time, or even that it just needs an extensive regular cleaning. Whatever the reason is, always make sure that you consult with your local pool expert beforehand to cover any bases that you might have overlooked.

How often should you drain your pool?

Now as for how often you should drain your pool really depends on the circumstances; a complete drain should only be performed when absolutely required and with the close guidance and aid of a professional so as to avoid potential damage to your pool. Unless there is an emergency situation, your pool really shouldn’t be drained more often than every 5-7 years. This range of time depends on how often your pool is used and the type of climate in which you reside. The best time to drain your pool will be during the mildest time of the year to prevent any further unnecessary damage to the pool.

How to drain your pool

The actual draining process can be summed up in 6 mostly doable steps:

1. ALWAYS consult with your local pool expert before taking any steps toward drastic action with your pool. They can help you figure out if you actually do need to drain your pool and, if so, why it is necessary. Your pool expert can also give you an estimate on pricing to have it done professionally as opposed to risking the safety of your pool. Also, that would mean way less work for you.
2. Next step, if you decide to proceed with a DIY frame of mind, is to acquire the necessary tools to drain your pool. The main tool that will be needed is a pump.
3. After getting your hands on a pump, next thing you’ll need to do is close the return lines.
4. Following closing the return lines is to open the waste lines.
5. Next will be to close the suction lines, but this must be done at the right time. The correct time to do so is when the pool is half empty.
6. It’s important to look up and be familiar with your city’s water dumping codes. You can either research these online or ask your local pool professional.

This is the basic outline of the process required to drain your pool. As with all larger tasks pertaining to your pool, unless you are already familiar or well-versed in these tasks, please always ask your local pool professional for any help you might need. Paying for it to be done correctly the first time can save you a lot of money in fixing potential costly damages and it will give you the experience of seeing it done so that you might be able to take care of some of it the next time around.