How far down can you drain a fiberglass pool in Western Arizona? I am drawing due to the water being about 5 years old and am struggling with balancing the water chemistry. Is it better to drain halfway and then refill?
Draining a fiberglass pool safely
- Thread starter SkipLynn
- Start date
- Nov 12, 2017
- 12,636
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
This is out of my wheelhouse. Just chiming in to let you know it was good to ask. The water is an integral part of the structure of any pool, but that is especially true for vinyl and fiberglass pools. In some cases, it is the water pressure being exerted on the fiberglass that is keeping the soil on the outside of the fiberglass in its place (particularly if the soil is saturated).
Others will chime in tomorrow about the engineering aspects of what you are asking about. In the meantime, read up on "No Drain Water Exchange." You might not have to lower the level of the water at all. Here is a good read for you:
www.troublefreepool.com
Especially this section on that page:
No Drain Water Exchange
Others will chime in tomorrow about the engineering aspects of what you are asking about. In the meantime, read up on "No Drain Water Exchange." You might not have to lower the level of the water at all. Here is a good read for you:
Draining - Further Reading
www.troublefreepool.com
Especially this section on that page:
No Drain Water Exchange
Last edited:
- Nov 12, 2017
- 12,636
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Oh, and please post a full suite of test results. Do you have a proper test kit? Test Kits Compared
Our experts can use those test results to help you determine just how much water, if any, actually needs to be drained.
Our experts can use those test results to help you determine just how much water, if any, actually needs to be drained.
- May 3, 2014
- 62,672
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
I drain mine completely. My soil is decomposed granite and does not move.
I have also done the no drain exchange. If followed correctly you can get a good exchange of water without draining.
I have also done the no drain exchange. If followed correctly you can get a good exchange of water without draining.
Make sure you have a good delta T before the no drain exchange and follow the instructions to the end.
Thanks for the advice, I’m gonna do the no drain exchange and monitor chemistry. Pool is 20 years old, and I don’t want to cause any problems that need to be fixed! I’m gonna do a modified no drain exchange exchange and drain it down about 2 feet (pool is 5’ deep) and then refill.
- May 3, 2014
- 62,672
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
You can do that. It will take about 3 times as much water that way. If you water is very cheap, go for it.
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