Over the years, the water in the pool deteriorates in quality so that the chemical additives lose their effectiveness. Thanks to this article and a free weekend, with the help of a friend you will be able to empty and fill the pool without spending more than € 200 (excluding chemical additives).
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Drain the Water
Step 1. Go to a DIY store or hardware store and rent a submersible pump
It shouldn't cost you more than € 30-40 for 24 hours of rental. Go to the store early enough in the morning so the pool will be empty before sunset.
With the pump, rubber hoses or hoses, 15 m long, similar to those of firefighters, should be included. In most cases, two pipes will suffice, but check that the pool is no more than 30m away from the sewer drain
Step 2. Prepare the pump and tubing by connecting the tubing to a drain
This step is very important, because it is not allowed to drain the pool water directly in the street or in the neighbor's garden! For this reason, you have two options to get rid of the pool water:
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Directly into the sewer of your home. Just outside the bathroom or kitchen there should be a plastic tube with a diameter of 8-10 cm closed with a screw cap. This leads directly to the sewers and, in cities with a suitable system, these are classified as "gray water" and partially recyclable. In older homes, this pipe may not exist, or it may be plugged into an abnormal area of the home, such as on a wall. In modern homes there may even be two of them, at ground level and camouflaged in some way with the landscape.
If you connect to a wall drain pipe (such as those in old houses) there is the risk of causing damage to the house itself. Contact a company specializing in pool maintenance before proceeding
- Irrigate the lawn, plants or hedges. This technique is not recommended if you have to empty the entire pool and it is not the best solution for certain lawns or plants that can react to excess chlorine or salt. Some types of grass and oleander tolerate pool water, but hibiscus, citrus fruits and other salt-sensitive plants should not be irrigated in this way.
Step 3. Immerse the pump in the pool and plug it into a power outlet
Make sure that the drain hose is well connected to both the pump and the drain (at the other end) before powering the device. Some types of pipe go into the exhaust duct 90cm before hitting anything - make sure yours is well-wedged.
Step 4. Check the water very carefully as it is drained
It takes some time before the pool is completely empty and it depends on municipal laws (you cannot enter a large flow of water into the sewer system), the speed of the pump and the size of the pool.
- Although it may seem strange, municipal laws can be a problem in this case. In some cities, for example, the speed cannot exceed 45 liters per minute; this guarantees the sewage system to drain the water safely.
- Most good quality pumps have a much higher drainage rate than the city dictates. These devices run quietly at 200 liters per minute, with peaks as high as 280.
- The size of the pool determines the emptying times. If the pump runs at 120 liters per minute (or 7800 per hour) and your pool has a capacity of 95,000 liters, then it will take about 12-13 hours to empty it.
Step 5. As the water level drops (approximately every 30 cm), wet the perimeter of the pool with a garden hose, right where the water line was previously
This is particularly important if the water is very dirty: in this way you will have less work to do in the end. Try to brush the inside wall of the pool as well.
Step 6. Wait for the pump to remove most of the water and remove the last residue by hand
The amount of water that the pump can drain depends on the profile and shape of the pool bottom. You will probably have to remove the last 30 cm with two buckets. This is the time to get help from a friend.
Part 2 of 3: Clean the Pool
Step 1. Remove all cracks in the bottom of the pool using a garden hose
If you have a built-in cleaning system, it's worth using at this stage. Alternatively, contact a company specializing in repairs and maintenance for advice.
Step 2. Eliminate any residual limescale or encrustation rings
There are specific products for removing limescale, calcium oxide and rust and they are quite effective. Treat particularly difficult encrustations with a spatula, being very careful not to damage the pool lining. The less stubborn parts, on the other hand, can be cleaned with rubber gloves, an abrasive sponge and the detergent mentioned above.
To prevent the rings and halos from reappearing, you can purchase a "stain remover" product that prevents their formation. Read carefully the instructions on the label to know how to use it and how many times to apply it. Some need to be used every month to be effective
Step 3. Wash the pool with acid (optional)
This operation allows a deep cleaning of the internal walls of the pool, giving the water an even better appearance, since it will be transparent and shiny; in this way, having a nice swim will be more enjoyable. If yours is still clean enough or you don't have time, you can skip this step.
Part 3 of 3: Fill the Pool
Step 1. Evaluate the time it takes to fill the pool with the pump you have available
It is not at all pleasant to go to bed with a pool to fill and get up in the morning with a lake in the garden. A few calculations will allow you to avoid headaches.
Step 2. Fill the pool
Connect one or more garden hoses to the taps available around the pool and open them. If the bottom of the pool is putty and plaster, then it is better to tie socks on the nozzles of the pipes and fix them with rubber bands. By doing this, you prevent the force of the water from damaging the decorations.
The cost of water per cubic meter is not excessive but, if you wish, contact the manager of your city to find out the details
Step 3. Before adding the chemical additives, wait for the water to have stabilized for a couple of hours
At this point you have done most of the work. Now you have to test the alkalinity, pH and hardness of the water. After these tests, adjust the levels by adding chlorine, cyanuric acid or salt.
Advice
- Problems with water infiltration under the pool can cause the pool to rise once it has been emptied. It is not a good show.
- Avoid emptying the pool when it is very hot.
- Do not forget to return the rented equipment to the shop.
- This article is designed for concrete and in-ground pools.
- This operation should not be performed more than once every 3-5 years, unless you are particularly picky and / or want to exercise.
- If you have a person or company that takes care of pool maintenance and whom you trust, ask for advice on how to balance the water chemistry, especially if you use that of the municipal aqueduct. There are often conflicting opinions and it would be worthwhile to obtain the maximum chemical balance without exaggerating with additives.
- If you are allergic to chlorine or your salt filtration system is not very efficient, you should inquire about oxygen / copper systems. You can inquire at pool retailers or online.
Warnings
- Do not forget to turn off the electrical power switches of the pump and other devices.
- Be very careful when handling electrical appliances near water, especially when using metal poles.
- It is not a good idea to empty the pool if there is a risk of causing damage to the pool by "bursting" the inner lining, as the repair would be very expensive. Call a company specializing in underwater repairs if you need to do pool maintenance.
