When and How to Drain a Residential Pool

With the warmer temperatures just around the corner, now is the time to get your pool ready for the fast-approaching pool season. With average temperatures in the 90’s, many Texans are ready to enjoy their backyard oasis.

When and How to Drain a Residential Pool

Proper maintenance prolongs the life of your pool and positions you and your family for a relaxing and problem-free summer. When a pool has problems beyond what a thorough cleaning and pool filter can handle, draining the pool may be the solution. Knowing why and how to drain your old pool water is an important first step in seasonal pool care.

Reasons to Drain Old Pool Water

There are several reasons to drain old pool water:

  • The pool has suffered damage such as storm damage, algae growth, or heavy debris and requires repair work.
  • The pool has not been maintained and contains water which has the potential to damage the surface.
  • The pool has high TDS (totally dissolved solids) levels making the water chemistry difficult to maintain. TDS is a measurement of everything that has ever dissolved in the pool. The TDS level is complicated to lower so starting over with fresh water may be the solution.

How to Drain Old Pool Water

Fully draining a residential pool should only happen under the supervision of a qualified pool professional. With local ordinances to follow and environmental concerns to navigate, draining a pool isn’t as simple as pulling a plug.

Here are several tips to consider for a successful pool draining:

  • Contact a pool professional to assess and develop a proper plan of treatment. While draining is an option, other less invasive solutions may be available.
  • If possible, drained water should be used to irrigate landscaping. Many cities do not allow draining into a street, alleyway, or other rights-of-way so checking city ordinances is important. Careful considerations should also be made if the pool is saltwater.
  • The type of pool (concrete/gunite, vinyl-lined, fiberglass) determines the best method for draining, and whether it’s even possible at all.

Although necessary under certain circumstances, there are risks to draining a pool. It is always best to work with a pool professional before attempting draining. Contact us at Aquanomics Pools, to receive a reliable, affordable and professional assessment of your pool needs.