What to Do if Pool Water is High
Since many states are going through a pretty wet June and July, Pool Troopers is here to emphasize the dangers and risks of improperly draining your pool. If you want more background on pools “overflowing” please contact us.
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 is 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. Overall, it still draws water and the equipment is just fine.
The long answer is that by draining the pool you are doing a couple of bad things and maybe more potentially. First, you are draining out the chemicals we put in to keep your pool blue, clear and swim-safe. Second, by removing those chemicals you increase the chance of getting an algae bloom. Third, you may be creating a dangerous situation with your pool’s structure.
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.
What is the right circumstance for this to happen?
Good question- the right circumstance or really the wrong circumstance is that the water level in the pool is below that of the surrounding groundwater enough for the hydrostatic pressure of the groundwater to overcome the weight of the pool and the water your pool contains. So think of your pool’s water as ballast on a boat making it ride low in the groundwater of your backyard. So, think of your pool’s water as a ballast on a boat making it ride low in the groundwater of your backyard. If you drain your pool too much you could be creating a dangerous situation.
So what do I do if my pool water is too high?
Nothing, it’s not a problem. Our chemicals are still in the water and doing their job, leave them there. Your equipment is in no danger. The water will go down due to normal splash out etc., as you use the pool. Clients on our cleaning service will have the water level adjusted by our pool professionals when they attend to 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.
