What to Do if Pool Water is High
Most pool owners spend their energy worrying about water that is too low, but an overfilled swimming pool creates its own set of headaches. Whether a summer thunderstorm dumped several inches of rain overnight or someone left the garden hose running, a pool’s water level that creeps above the skimmer can quietly wreck your filtration, throw off your water chemistry, and even damage your deck and landscaping.
Here is what actually happens when your pool is too full, why it matters, and how to bring things back to the correct level before problems start adding up.
If My Pool is at Full to the Rim Do I Need to Drain my Pool?
The quick answer is no. You don’t need to drain your pool, as there’s no risk to your pool by it being full. The only thing you lose with a pool filled to the rim is your skimmer’s surface cleaning action.
Option 1: Use the WASTE Setting on Your Multiport Valve
If your sand or DE filter has a multiport valve with a WASTE setting, you can use it to lower the water. Turn the pump off before moving the valve, then follow your equipment’s instructions to restart it. This sends water out through the waste line without passing it through the filter.
Make sure the water drains to an approved spot, away from your home’s foundation and your neighbor’s yard. Keep an eye on the level and stop the pump when it reaches your skimmer’s recommended level, usually around the middle of the opening. Turn the pump off again before returning the valve to FILTER.
Option 2: Use a Submersible Pump or Siphon Hose
If you have a cartridge filter or no waste line, a pool-compatible submersible pump or a garden hose set up as a siphon may do the trick. Follow the pump’s instructions and direct the water to an approved drainage area.
Stay nearby while the water drains and stop at the recommended skimmer level. Just like leaving a filling hose running, leaving a drain unattended can turn a simple adjustment into a bigger problem.
Why is it Dangerous to Drain my Pool?
Your pool shell is like a boat, and it will, given the right circumstances, float on the groundwater in your yard – “popping” it out of the earth and causing significant damage in the process. This is mainly a Florida phenomenon and is called “pool popping” in the industry and you should make sure your pool service, and repair company has adequate insurance that specifically covers this peril in Florida. Pool Troopers clients can rest assured that we are covered.
Why this matters in Sun Belt States
If you live in Florida, or other southern states, sudden cloudbursts and tropical systems can add one to three inches of rainfall in a single afternoon. For a typical 20,000-gallon pool, just one inch of rain adds roughly 500 to 700 gallons of untreated water, enough to push the water line well past the skimmer.
Overfill issues can arise from heavy rainfall or malfunctioning automatic fill systems, and either situation can happen faster than many pool owners expect.
Pool Troopers technicians monitor water level during every regular pool service visit, but storms between visits can change conditions overnight. An overfilled swimming pool can cause equipment strain, chemical dilution, and structural damage if left unchecked.
So, What Do I Do if My Pool Water is Too High?
Extra water can throw off your pool’s chemical balance, but before adding chemicals, grab your test kit. Follow its instructions to check sanitizer levels and pH, then use the results to figure out what needs adjusting.
If you’ve removed water and added fresh water, test again afterward. Depending on how much water you replaced and how the pool looks, your pool professional may suggest checking other readings, too.
Some water-quality problems may call for shock treatment, but a high waterline by itself isn’t cause for concern.
When to Call Pool Troopers
Contact Pool Troopers if your pool repeatedly overfills, you suspect an autofill problem, or flooding has reached the equipment. Be ready to describe when the issue started and whether the water is still rising.
Contact Pool Troopers to confirm local service availability and request help with your pool.
Please feel free to call us if you have any questions on this subject. Remember if in doubt, don’t drain your pool.
