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CostHelper > Home and Garden  > Driveways, Pools & Outdoor Living > Swimming Pool Drain

Swimming Pool Drain Cost


How Much Does a Swimming Pool Drain Cost?

 
low costSimple Drain and Refill: $20-$30+; with Pump: $45-$70+average costProfessional Pool Service: $70-$150high costDraining, Cleaning, Refilled: $150-$800

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)[1] 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[2] 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.
Related articles: Swimming Pool, Swimming Pool Cover, Pool Cleaning, House Cleaning

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[3] requires pools to be drained into the sewer system if they can't be used to water landscaping, but Queen Creek, AZ[4] 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.
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.
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.
Shopping for a swimming pool drain:
  • Professional pool service referrals are available through the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals[5] and through the Independent Pool & Spa Service Association.
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments
Pool drain. Powewash, refilled, filter cleaned
Amount: $450.00
Posted by: Jeff Riedel in Mesa, AZ.Posted: June 9th, 2019 10:06AM
Type of Pool:: 10,000 gal pebbletecType of Service:
Started pool and spa drain on Friday evening. Powerwashed pool, spa and DE filter cleaned on Saturday. Finished refill and chemicals on Sunday
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
empty pool water
Amount: $5,500.00
Posted by: Toni whalen in hanover, MA.Posted: August 30th, 2018 03:08PM
Type of Pool:: intexType of Service:
Looking for someone to just drain pool
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
Drain pool only
Amount: $2,500.00
Posted by: Paul L Pleticha Sr. in villa park, IL.Posted: August 29th, 2018 10:08AM
Type of Pool:: ubove grondType of Service: Drain pool
Would like my above ground pool drained as soon as possible.
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Green Pool Cleaning and Opening
Amount: $1,600.00
Posted by: Jes in Bowie, MD.Posted: July 20th, 2018 04:07AM
Included pool vacuuming too at $75 per half hour, only if the service was apart of the opening, otherwise $136.00 initial fee for pool vacuum and $75 each additional half hour😧
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Drain, Acid Wash, Refill, Condition
Amount: $1,700.00
Posted by: ChuckieD in Burbank, CA.Posted: June 5th, 2018 08:06PM
Type of Pool:: IngroundType of Service: Acid Wash and Refill & Condition
20’x40’ 10.5’ deep swimming pool, drained with sump pump, acid washed, refilled, and reconditioned.
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Drain and fill
Amount: $300.00
Posted by: Andre Moore in Fayetteville, NC.Posted: June 12th, 2017 04:06PM
Type of Pool:: Above groundType of Service: Drain and fill
I have a pool which I have filled and it is not leveled. I need it drained so I can level the ground on one side by 12 inches max. I can level it myself and have the tools to do it however, I need to have this project completed by the 22nd of this month.
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Drain and refill above around pool 15000 gallons
Amount: $4,000.00
Posted by: HWWoman in Waterford, CT.Posted: May 21st, 2015 09:05AM
Type of Pool:: RoundType of Service: Drain and refill water
Brand new pool with a liner leak
Need pool drained and refilled upon new liner install
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External Resources:
  1.  www.poolwizard.net/problems/tds.htm
  2.  www.google.com/search?tbm=shop&q=submersible+sump+pump+cost
  3.  www.ci.glendale.ca.us/public_works/pdf/swimming_pool_draining_procedure.pdf
  4.  www.queencreek.org/Index.aspx?page=400
  5.  www.apsp.org/
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