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| | | In-ground pools are rarely drained because the hydrostatic force of the surrounding underground water table can damage the pool by literally making it "float" out of place, breaking pipes and cracking the pool itself. Above-ground pools are also subject to hydrostatic pressure, and the liner may dry out and crack if left empty. | | |
| Typical costs: | - If the same water has been in a pool for several years, the levels of total dissolved solids (TDS) can be high. Draining and refilling, then adding new chemicals will refresh the water in an otherwise undamaged pool. Costs for refilling a pool will vary, but the average water agency charges about $1 -$1.50 per 1,000 gallons, so water for a 20,000 gallon pool would be $20 -$30.
- Renting a small submersible pump for 24 hours costs about $25 -$40; buying a small sump pump runs around $80 -$130.
- Charges start around $70 -$150 to have a professional pool service company drain a pool (of almost any size) and refill it simply to refresh the water,
- For pools with persistent stains or other problems, having it drained, cleaned, acid- or chlorine-washed, and then refilled with fresh water and chemicals bumps the cost to $150 -$800, depending on the size of the pool, the amount of cleaning needed and if the filtering system needs flushing.
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| What should be included: | - Before doing anything, check with your local water and sewer agencies. Many municipalities have strict regulations (and fines) governing how you can dispose of chlorinated swimming pool water. Usually, pool water must be de-chlorinated and then drained onto your own hardy landscaping. Glendale, CA requires pools to be drained into the sewer system if they can't be used to water landscaping, but Queen Creek, AZ prohibits using the sewer system.
- Even a pool with dark green water doesn't necessarily need to be drained; talk with a pool supply store or service company about how to treat the problem with chemicals. Often a problem can be fixed using chemicals without any draining or by only partially draining the pool and then treating it.
- Occasionally a pool must be drained completely to make needed repairs, but the process needs to be done properly. Some experts do recommend draining and replacing the pool water every 3-5 years, if the amount of total dissolved solids (TDS) builds up over time. To ease the pressure during draining, some pools are equipped with hydrostatic relief plugs (manual or automatic); otherwise a hole or holes should be drilled in the bottom to relieve the pressure. And often a company will start acid- or chlorine-washing a pool while the water is still draining, to minimize the amount of time the pool is empty and vulnerable to damage.
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| Additional costs: | - If you drain and refill your pool, you'll need to add appropriate chemicals to the new water. The cost will depend on your pool size and type of filtering system, but generally runs $15 -$50.
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| Discounts: | - Check with the company that built your in-ground pool; a few have a policy of providing draining service for the life of the pool.
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| Shopping for a swimming pool drain: | |
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Article updated June 2008 |
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