We get asked this question every time there is a heavy rain. That answer is pretty simple when you think about it.
The pool will only overflow by the amount of rain in excess of the amount of rain needed to fill the pool to the top. So if your pool is the normal 3” below the top, the rain would need to exceed 3” before any additional rain would be available to overflow onto the deck. The amount of overflow would only be equal to rainfall minus the amount of rainfall needed to fill the pool- the beginning contents of the pool are not going to come out of the pool somehow because of rain.
This example assumes of course that you have a properly pitched deck and that your yard does not improperly slope onto your pool deck and into your pool, which unfortunately happens at times. If you have deck and yard issues and a low lying home, you need to consult a landscape architect to redesign your yard and design in some water drainage mitigation plans.
The second part of the question is usually: “How do I drain water out of my pool”?
This answer is a bit trickier- very carefully, at the very least. Draining water from your pool with the high groundwater tables can be very dangerous. Pools that are empty can “POP” out of the ground, floating like a boat on the groundwater around your home. This is a catastrophic situation damaging or destroying your pool and deck and sometimes the home itself.
The preferred method to drain water from your pool if you are on our cleaning service is to leave the water in the pool and we will drain it to the proper level when we clean the pool. Never drain your pool if there is standing water in your yard!
We do not recommend that you drain water out of your pool unless:
- You know what you are doing
- You have the time to supervise the whole procedure.
Here are a few additional do’s and don’ts:
- Never leave your pool draining while you leave the premises
- Make sure discharge water is going to an approved location and not flooding a neighbor’s yard or your equipment pad.
- You need to be there to turn off the pump and change the valves when the water gets to the proper level.
- Don’t delegate this to a minor or someone unfamiliar with the pool pump and its valves
- Never operate your pump or the time clock if there is standing water at or above the level of the pump motor
- Never operate any electrical equipment or switch if you are in standing water
- Leave the system alone or if absolutely necessary turn the system off at the main house breaker inside and wait for groundwater to recede before going out to the pool equipment.
We are happy to answer this and any other question you have about your pool and equipment. Remember to consult a pool professional if you have questions before you take actions, we can save you a lot of problems and we are happy to do it. Contact us today!
