Green pools are a nagging problem for pool owners. Not only is having a green pool look unsightly, but it is also a dangerous breeding ground for disease-carrying mosquitos. Having a green pool violates county health regulations. If you hate paying fines because of this, then it is time to drain your pool and take action to solve the root causes of what makes your pool green.
Swimming pool water will eventually have poor chemical balance because of many factors. Those factors will cause algae problems eventually if you don’t maintain the pool properly. The only recourse is to chlorine wash pool water or acid wash pool to get rid of the algae spores. And, to do that, you need to drain the water in the pool first.
A swimming pool presents several specific issues that you need to consider when draining it. You may need to replace damaged tiles or repair the pool plaster at one point. However, there is more to emptying pool water. Before even starting thinking of doing your stuff with an empty pool, read on to learn a few important things about why you should think twice before draining your pool water.
Who should drain pool water?
Having a pool pump plus some research may not be enough for you to manage your pool water. Nor just simply removing the plug is enough to clear your swimming pool water so you can commence scrubbing the surface.
The draining process is not as straightforward as it looks. It is a complicated subject that you need to learn thoroughly. Especially with the climate, and other specific challenges in Arizona, you might do more damage if you tried draining the pool yourself.
Seeking help from experienced pool professionals like Flamingo Pools will spare you the trouble of balancing several factors to drain your pool safely. Moreover, the cleaning job that comes right after is also more complicated and is better left to experts to do effectively. Flamingo Pools offers pool service in Gilbert and the surrounding areas, and we will be glad to help
Why should you drain your pool?
As mentioned, once your water turns green, you may need to drain your pool as soon as possible. The green color is caused by Algae blooms which happens only when your chlorine is not enough to prevent it. Why is that so?
Chlorine loses its potency because of chemical balance, or the lack of it. Watching and maintaining chemical levels is what Flamingo Pools are dead serious about when we do our weekly pool maintenance work for our customers. This imbalance in chemical levels are caused by two major factors:
TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) levels rise as your water gets older. TDS levels come from the accumulation of everything that goes into your pool water such as body oils, hair products, makeup, sunscreen, chemicals, etc.). There will come a point that the pool water is so saturated that it won’t dissolve solids well. You will counteract this by using more proportion of chemicals to maintain the balance. Eventually, the pool chemicals won’t be effective anymore leading to unabated algae growth.
Another reason is the high levels of CyA or Cyanuric Acid. CyA aids the effectiveness of Chlorine. There will come a point when trying to balance the levels of pool chemicals, you have placed much CyA and Chlorine without the desired effect. That is when you should be draining your pool.
Water from the storm drain to the areas surrounding the pool, contributing to the total dissolved solids.
When should you drain your pool?
If you heard about pool pop then this is what happens when you do your pool draining process when you have too much groundwater underneath the pool. That means you shouldn’t drain a pool after days of rains. Hydrostatic pressure relief valves adds a layer of protection to prevent pool pop by allowing some water to seep in to counteract the water pressure pressing from beneath. In that case, you wouldn’t be able to drain the pool entirely.
Given Arizona’s harsh summer heat, it is advisable to schedule draining your pool during the colder months. The temperatures could reach more than 100 degrees and will crack the pool plaster or the tiles. If you have a pebble pool surface, it is recommended that the ambient temperatures are at 90 degrees or lower. If you have a plaster surface, then you should drain at lower temperatures (80 degrees or lower). Not to mention exposing your pool lights to the elements. Note that the materials on your pool’s floor is not the same as in your pool sitting.
Many blog articles mention draining your pool every 2 to 3 years. However, given Arizona’s harsh climate especially during the summer, your pool is more utilized and thereby receives more TDS (see earlier section) and will require balancing the pool water chemistry more often.
It will take around two days to drain a pool. Allow another two to three days for pool cleaning. With proper weekly pool maintenance done by Flamingo Pools through the summer, you may still be able to enjoy your pool while targeting the schedule of your pool drains for the autumn months.
Where should you drain your pool?
The local water authority and some communities will place restrictions on where you can drain your pool. Some may allow you to use the storm drains or your sewage. Watch out for the level of your sanitary sewer cleanout. Ignoring this will make your sewage back up into the drains.
If the local water authority will allow it, you may need to comment to a drainage hose downhill where there won’t be issues causing sewage back up.
Pool drain and acid washing are serious matters which you should leave to experts. Flamingo Pools always the stress safety of the entire activity, as well as being able to satisfy regulations. We also make sure that no damage to any pool equipment will result in the pool draining and maintenance activities.
Submersible pump for above ground pool or in-ground pool
A submersible pump is useful, especially during winter. These are perfect for draining standing water from pool winter covers. These can assist in draining pool water even when its not winter.
Ask the Help of Experts to drain your swimming pool
Draining the pool yourself is doable. However, there are too many factors that you should always keep in mind to prevent you from spending tens of thousands more. There are so many things that can go wrong. For instance, drainage problems occur and you might damage your neighbor’s property during draining activities. Having garden hoses and some research won’t do it.
Flamingo Pools are experts in the pool industry. We give 110% of our effort to ensure that each of our customers won’t have to be forced into untimely pool draining. However, Arizona’s specific conditions will make pool drain activities necessary. To ensure you get the maximum value for your pool with peace of mind, just call on the experts at Flamingo Pools to drain your pool for you.
At Flamingo Pools, we want you to have sparkling clean water so that you can enjoy your pool. We will happily drain your pool for you! Enter your information below to schedule. Thank you for being part of the Flamingo Pools family!