Changing your pool water is an essential part of maintaining its clarity, chemical balance, and overall health, especially after several years of use or persistent water quality issues. It typically involves draining your existing pool water and then refilling it with fresh water.
Why Consider Changing Your Pool Water?
Over time, your pool water accumulates dissolved solids (TDS), phosphates, nitrates, and other byproducts from sanitizers, bather load, and environmental factors. These can make it harder to balance your chemicals, lead to algae blooms, or simply make your water feel less refreshing. Draining and refilling your pool provides a fresh start.
Step-by-Step Guide to Draining and Refilling Your Pool
Changing your pool water is a straightforward process when you follow the correct steps. It's crucial to use the right equipment to prevent damage to your pool system.
Step 1: Install a Submersible Pump
The first crucial step is to set up a submersible pump in your pool. This specialized pump is designed to handle the large volume of water in a pool efficiently.
- Placement: Position the submersible pump in the deepest part of your pool.
- Hose Connection: Attach a garden hose or a larger diameter discharge hose to the pump's outlet. Ensure the other end of the hose directs the water to an appropriate drainage area, such as a storm drain, sewer line, or an area away from your home's foundation. Always check local regulations regarding pool water disposal before you begin.
- Critical Warning: Never use your regular pool pump — this can lead to permanent damage to your pool. Your pool's filtration pump is not designed for draining the entire pool and can burn out if run dry or for extended periods in this manner.
Step 2: Turn on the Pump and Begin Draining
Once the submersible pump is correctly positioned and its discharge hose is secured, it's time to start the draining process.
- Activate the Pump: Plug in or switch on the submersible pump. It will immediately begin to draw water from your pool.
- Monitor Progress: Keep an eye on the water level as it drops. The draining time will vary depending on your pool's size and the pump's flow rate.
Step 3: Remove the Submersible Pump
When your pool is drained to the desired level (often completely, depending on your goal for changing the water), you can remove the equipment.
- Disconnect Power: Unplug or switch off the submersible pump.
- Retrieve Pump: Carefully remove the pump and its hose from the empty pool. You may want to rinse it off before storing.
Step 4: Open the Relief Valves
This is a critical step, especially for fiberglass or vinyl liner pools, but important for all pool types to prevent structural damage from external pressure.
- Locate Valves: Find your pool's hydrostatic relief valves, typically located in the main drain or at various points in the pool floor. They might be covered by a main drain plate or skimmer baskets.
- Purpose: These valves are designed to prevent hydrostatic pressure from groundwater from pushing up or cracking the pool shell when it's empty. Opening them allows any groundwater pressure to equalize, preventing potential damage.
- Action: Open these valves according to your pool manufacturer's instructions.
Step 5: Refill Your Pool
With the pool drained and relief valves open, you're ready to bring in fresh water.
- Hose Placement: Place one or more garden hoses into the pool. To prevent damage to the pool's surface from the force of the water, consider placing a soft cloth or an old towel under the hose nozzle.
- Start Filling: Turn on the water supply and begin refilling your pool. This can take many hours, depending on your pool's volume and your water pressure.
- Monitor Level: Keep an eye on the water level as it fills.
- Close Relief Valves: Once the water level is high enough to cover the hydrostatic relief valves (usually at least a foot or two), remember to close them before the pool is completely full. This prevents water from escaping your pool once it's full.
- Balance Water: After the pool is full, it's essential to test your new water's chemistry and add the necessary chemicals (sanitizer, pH adjusters, alkalinity, calcium hardness, etc.) to bring it to proper balance before swimming.
Important Considerations
- Timing: Choose a cool, overcast day for draining to prevent the sun from baking your exposed pool surfaces, which can damage vinyl liners or plaster.
- Local Regulations: Always double-check with your local municipality for any regulations on draining large amounts of chlorinated water.
- Professional Help: If you're unsure about any step, especially for opening relief valves or if your pool has a unique setup, consider consulting a pool professional.
