How Draining Your Pool Properly Can Protect Your Pool Deck

Draining your pool heading into the off-season is an essential step of proper pool maintenance. Here’s why:

• Poor Water Quality: Over time, debris, algae, and contaminants can build up in pool water, making it cloudy, unsafe, and difficult to treat effectively with chemicals. Draining and refilling restores clean, balanced water.
• High Cyanuric Acid Levels: Excess cyanuric acid (stabilizer) reduces chlorine’s effectiveness, leaving your pool vulnerable to bacteria and algae. When levels get too high, draining is the only way to correct it.
• Evaporation & Chemical Imbalance: As water evaporates, dissolved minerals and chemicals concentrate, throwing off pH and hardness levels. Draining helps reset the balance and protects pool surfaces and equipment.
• Regular Maintenance: Periodically draining allows you to inspect, clean, and repair pool surfaces, tiles, and equipment. It’s a crucial step in long-term pool care and upkeep.
• Prevent Pool Deck Cracks: Excessive water pressure or imbalance between pool and ground water can strain the surrounding deck and structure. Draining helps relieve this stress and prevent cracking or shifting.

• Turn Off All Pool Equipment: Shut down pumps, filters, heaters, and automatic cleaners to prevent damage while the pool is emptying.
• Use the Right Pump: Attach a submersible pump with a long hose to remove water efficiently. Avoid using your pool’s filtration system for draining.
• Choose a Proper Drain Location: Direct the hose or submersible pump discharge line to an approved area such as a sanitary sewer clean-out or a grassy section that can absorb the water slowly.
• Monitor the Process Constantly: Keep an eye on the pump, hose placement, and drainage flow to prevent flooding or soil erosion around your property.
• Stop Before Fully Emptying (if possible): Leave a few inches of water at the bottom to avoid structural pressure issues, especially for in-ground pools in high water table areas.
• Clean While Drained: Use this opportunity to scrub walls, remove stains, and inspect for cracks or damage before refilling.
• Refill and Rebalance: Once maintenance is complete, refill the pool, restart equipment, and test chemical levels to ensure a safe swimming environment.
• Avoid Draining During Rainy Weather: Heavy rain can increase ground pressure and risk the pool lifting or cracking while empty—always plan for dry conditions.