One Thing That Can Ruin ANY Pool

[@craigmellott6339]

This is a really good video, I'm in Orlando this happens every year a homeowner makes the moves the news drain their pool to long, and it pops then your pipes are gone.

[@louisd95714]

Very good advice you give Steve. I just wanted to add, for those with above ground pools, draining all the water out would most probably collapse the pool walls.

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

The concern is the liner. As the liner ages and exposed to UV and chemicals the rubber becomes stiff and brittle. The pthalates which are the plasticizer are measurably gone by year 7. Which means you can maybe get away with this as a new liner, but the older it gets the more likely you have a problem when you try to drain it. Partial drain and refill is the best method to benefit from fresh water without compromising your pool.

[@gabrielbratescu]

I think you have the best channel regarding pool care. I always enjoy watching your videos. I have a fiberglss pool and when I installed it the producer of the pool demanded that I install a vertical pipe with multiple holes in it and wide enogh to put a pump in and bring out the wather. I never had to use it because no wather was present. I drain the pool once a year for a few hours in order to clean it and the I fill it back.

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

I appreciate your kind words. As for the pool, I would never drain a fiberglass pool. You should be adding bracing to span across the long walls if ypu drain a fiberglass pool. Easily, EASILY could end up with a cracked shell, twisting, bowing of the walls. But most importantly there is absolutely no need to drain and fill an ingeound pool yearly. Not just uneeded, but a specific risk you are exposing your pool shell to. Water does not need to be changed yearly. Only when your TDS levels become unmanageable at 2500+ ppm which will definitely take more than a year to get there. At which time partial drain and refill is the right move. Fully draining a fiberglass pool empty is just about as risky as you can get. I would literally never do that. Thank you for commenting. Not trying to chastise you. But I do want to prevent you from having a very expensive (and entirely avoidable) problem.

[@mayorb3366]

I don't drain pools. I let other people do that, for all the reasons you mentioned. Additionally there is a risk of "checking", eggshell type fractures that can show up in empty plaster pools. If a pool needs to be drained, they punch 8-10 six inch holes in the bottom prior to a replaster job. This is also extremely important when filling in a pool. A pool full of rocks and dirt is still a pool, as some people have found out the hard way.

[@719matt3796]

Thanks Steve....Little off topic I'm getting ready to replace my vinyl liner how do you go about doing the floor drain when you replace a liner I've seen different ways. thanks!

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

Here's my liner installation tutorial: www.swimmingpoolsteve.com/pages/liner-installation.html

[@nickyalousakis3851]

my pool as you mentioned has an adjacent sump. about four feet deep maybe a bit deeper. you can absolutely see where the water table is. i never thought to drain it.... just used it as a gauge to know when water table is lowest.

[@anthonymcinnis6588]

Great video. I happen to be one of the few people that don't need to worry about this. When I dug 9 feet down it was dry as a bone.

[@drdrew3]

That’s the catch. It can be dry 9 feet down in February and then during the rainy season the water table can be just a few feet below ground level

[@ariesmars29]

Wish I knew that 4 years ago. Now our vinyl pool has folds on the floor. We did not replace it though. As long as it serves its purpose, we aren't going to replace it.

[@ChrisXCXCX]

Steve I got a vinyl pool coming up on 40 years old it has composite walls that are cracking. One area has a bulge is there anyway to replace composite walls without demo the entire ring.

[@phillipmatthews8341]

In some places in Missouri it’s hard rock country where you drain the pool with no problem

[@bartledo65]

can you put ant killer, or DE under a pool liner when installing, would either damage a pool liner?

[@pothos9913]

Great video but I think it should be titled "The one thing that can Destroy a swimming pool." Very important advice, thanks Steve.

[@knowyourjoe8826]

Hey Steve, we live in North Texas and have an unground concrete/plaster pool with a DE filter. We had it redone a couple of years ago. We run the pump year round. I am wondering if the pump/filter can properly drained and shut off during the winter so not worry about a grid electrical shutdown (as in Snowmegedon Feb 2021) and the pump and above ground plumbing parts freezing and being broken. A great side bonus would be a little reduction in the winter electricity bill. We do not have a cover but we do have an electric robotic cleaner that we can use if needed. Is it possible to do this? Do you recommend doing this? Why or why not please? If so what is the basic procedure and how do you prevent ice from forming in the pool and expanding and breaking the sides? Pondered this as I was wondering what people do in norther cold climates. Thanks.

[@millslogan3750]

We live in south central Ky and have a 24 foot round pool with galvanized steel walls and a vinyl liner. Its only about 52 inches deep. I don't cover my pool in the winter and I drain it down just below the skimmer. I blow out all of the plumbing with a shop vac and fill the lines with RV antifreeze. Also I put a little RV Antifreeze in the skimmer and keep it covered. The pool freezes every winter and everything seems to be ok. I run the robot vacuum on and off all winter to keep it reasonably clean. 3 seasons and no problems so far.

[@knowyourjoe8826]

@@millslogan3750 Thanks for the info. Why RV antifreeze? Is it supposed to be non-toxic?

[@millslogan3750]

@@knowyourjoe8826 That’s right non toxic. Certainly do not want to use regular antifreeze in your pool lines.

[@knowyourjoe8826]

@@millslogan3750 Thanks for all the info! Appreciate you!

[@rocki_bb]

You would probably have the best luck and get the most correct answers for your area by asking someone local to you about this. Many pool supply stores would likely help you for free if you go into their store with pics of your pool setup.

[@ChrisXCXCX]

I live in florida. Nobody installs these pools anymore. I'm thinking on taking the project on myself.

[@charlesmcdonald8375]

Thank you very much. I just subscribed.

[@terrilhargrovejones]

The only time my vinyl pool has been drained was for liner replacements by pool professionals.

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

As it should be! It never ceases to amaze me how many people I see draining vinyl pools.

[@terrilhargrovejones]

@Swimmingpoolsteve the first two times I filled it with my hose (I have a well), and the last time, the guys drained the water into 3 or 4 inflatable pools). So 😎 🆒️

[@U2BROTHR]

The only time I had my 1976 concrete pool drained, was to repaint it by professionals. Otherwise, I've always had water in the pool.

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

As it should be!

[@anthony7557]

Intex pool are different you can drain a intex pool

[@christianr772]

A well placed poop can ruin a pool. 💩

[@elian222]

bruh u b tripn

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

Nuh uh