How often should you drain pool and replace water?

TomAtlanta · Jan 15, 2023

I bought this house 11 years ago. The pool was full of rotting leaves so we drained it, cleaned it and refilled it. I have not drained it since then. I know the water is replaced by rain water, backwashing, and a hose when it gets low.

Water is pretty cheap here. 11 years ago I think it cost me about $90 to fill the pool. Would it be a good idea to drain it and refill it now?

Newdude · Jan 15, 2023

Not without any issues. High CH, CYA and salt need drains. So do swamps when you don't want to fight them. Other than that, the water never 'gets old' when properly maintained.

How's it look ?

Jimrahbe · Jan 15, 2023

Tom,

There is no reason to drain your pool unless you are having a problem that requires draining... like very high CYA or very high CH.

Unlike me, water does not get old. :mrgreen:

What problem are you having that makes you think you need to drain your pool?

Thanks,

Jim R.

TomAtlanta · Jan 17, 2023

What problem are you having that makes you think you need to drain your pool?

I live near Atlanta Ga. We recently had an unusually cold period. Everyone was worried, and there was fear that the power might go down.

The drain in my sand filter is broken and there is no way do drain it. My pool guy gut kind of panicky. He lowered the water in the pool, and then pored some anti freeze in the filter. This seems like a dumb thing to do, but I wasn't home and he didn't ask me and now it is done. I think I can flush the water with the anti freeze out of the the filter and not get any of it in the pool, but I was considering just draining the pool since that hasn't been done in 11 years. That is the reason for my original question, but maybe I should have asked it in a different way with all the details.

Jimrahbe · Jan 17, 2023

Tom,

It can't hurt to drain and refill your pool if that is what you want to do. We just wanted to make sure you were not doing it because someone told you that water goes bad and needs to be replaced every few years, which is just not true.

Thanks,

Jim R.

Newdude · Jan 17, 2023

With an average of 47.12 inches of annual rain near Atlanta, it'll never be more than 1.5 years (ish) old.

ajw22 · Jan 17, 2023

What type of antifreeze was put in your filter?

If it was RV or Pool Antifreeze then it is biodegradable and you can get your filter running, flush it into your pool, and the chlorine will take care of it. Just watch your FC level and keep it up.

How does anti-freeze affect pool water?

How does anti-freeze affect pool water? When I winterized I used 6 gallons of RV antifreeze. Upon opening I removed some of it, but that leaves at least a few gallons in the system. After shocking for two weeks I still get a faint odor of the antifreeze. The pool is crystal clear and the FC is...

www.troublefreepool.com

Oly · Jan 17, 2023

Add high salt ppm accumulation as another reason to exchange pool water along with high CYA and CH. Depending on how you sanitize your pool, salt ppm can accumulate well beyond what is required for even a salt water chlorine generator system. There also may be metals and other contaminants that can require a water exchange.

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How often should you drain pool and replace water?

TomAtlanta

Well-known member

Newdude

Jimrahbe

TomAtlanta

Well-known member

Jimrahbe

Newdude

ajw22

How does anti-freeze affect pool water?

Oly

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