This is the first year our pool is a swamp. We stopped covering it several years ago and never had a problem, but fall was very warm, very late in the season and the Cl I'd add along the way wasn't enough. The H2O level is lower due to pool is still closed, but will have to add quite a bit to get it up to where I can effectively run the filter, vacuum to waste etc. But first, we have quite a bit of debris on bottom I'd need to get out (never had the best luck with leaf nets for some reason and can never get them all out). I also worry the amt of chem I'd be dumping on our lawn each time I vacuumed to waste. So my question is, knowing we already have to add water before we can start the filter, then the $$ of all the chems to SLAM, has anyone just drained the pool and cleared out everything, cleaned sides of pool, then just refill instead of the long process of SLAMing? We could probably fill the pool for $200.
Above ground swamp, drain or SLAM?
- Thread starter spf30
- Start date
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,086
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Chlorine is getting expensive for sure. So if water is cheap in your area, exchange as much as you can before filling and starting a SLAM Process. Just makes sense. But be sure to keep enough water in the pool to keep it stable.
If drain water has somewhere to go, and fill water is cheap, draining is always the easier option. Remember to leave a foot of water so the corners don't pull up. You can drain one side while you fill the other if you get similar flow going for the bottom.
You'll want a warm sunny day to help the liner stretch back when filling. Whatever water stayed will be easy to SLAM afterwards.
You'll want a warm sunny day to help the liner stretch back when filling. Whatever water stayed will be easy to SLAM afterwards.
Im thinking draining is the best option as well. Once the water gets around a foot deep, besides a net, is there anything else available to use to get leaves out? And while water is down, any reason we wouldn't want to hose off the sides of the pool then spray with bleach to kill any algae?
The leaves will be much easier with the net and little water.
Scrub and rinse the sides but use diluted bleach so you don't ruin the liner.
Scrub and rinse the sides but use diluted bleach so you don't ruin the liner.
Wasn't thinking about the warm day for the liner, thanks for the tip. I don't understand what you mean by draining one side while filling the other though?
Yes, diluted bleach makes sense, thanks! So if I only have a foot of water for ex in the pool and once all of the stuff is removed, would I slam that amount of water and if so, how would I do it? Or do I fill it back up and SLAM the full pool?
When you get to the last foot, hang the pump out one side and stick the hose in the other. They will mix a little but you'll get more of the crud water out at first and have less to treat after its full again.
It's half a dozen or six. The new water is ok, the old water needs killing. But. You want it filled asap for the liner. Feel free to SLAM with a guess of how much water you have as it fills.