Have you ever found yourself talking to an expert about your pool cleaning or maintenance and he goes “we’ll need to drain your pool”? This statement would most likely be met with alot of questions in your head.
These questions include how are we going to do that?; When are we should we drain the pool?; How long is it going to take to drain the pool? The most commonly asked question by pool owners is probably also the most important. “how much does that cost?” If you need to drain your pool and need information on just what that would mean in dollars and cents then you are at the right place.
The cost of draining a pool is between $70 and $150 depending on your pool size. You may however need to pay extra for repairs or have your pool cleaned after draining.
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How Much Does It Cost To Drain Your Pool?
Draining a pool is simply discharging water from your pool. Emptying water for a container sure sounds pretty convenient but how do you go about draining tens of thousands of gallons of water without damaging the container holding the water?
Do you now see it’s important to have sufficient knowledge before draining your swimming pool? Like other pool maintenance activities, draining the pool water can be contacted to an expert or made a DIY project.
For Hired Expert
The cost of draining a pool varies widely, factors like the size of your swimming pool, your location in the country, cost of chemicals and other repairs can influence the final cost that pool maintenance services charge. You can expect to pay anything between $70 and $150 as the cost of just draining a swimming pool.
However, if your pool would require special cleaning and additional maintenance, you can be charged as much as $800 depending on the intensity of work needed by your pool.
For DIY Project
If you have decided to drain your pool yourself, you will need to buy or rent a few supplies. An extra pair of hands may also be required to help supply the labour required for the work.
In all you should expect to pay around $100 to get the job done. It is important to note that without the necessary equipment and expertise, the process may not be efficient.
Why Does It Cost So Much To Drain My Pool?
Experts advice to avoid draining a swimming pool at all cost. Many times, when pools are drained, it is basically because there are no other options left. Pools are not just drained for the fun of it.
The reasons for draining a pool which are often times for thorough cleaning and repair purposes the cost of which are added to the overall cost of draining the swimming pool. This cost also includes all cost of all chemicals and materials that would be needed the rectify the highlighted problems that has caused the pool to be drained.
Also draining the pool requires equipment and expertise. The cost of purchase or hiring these equipment take a toll on the over cost of draining the pool while pool maintenance services would want to be well compensated for their expertise.
It is important to note that a pool draining that is not done carefully and professionally can cause damage to the structural integrity of your pool. So why does it cost so much to drain your pool? It is because you pay for everything!
How Often Do I Need To Drain My Pool?
Swimming pools do not need to be drained often, Experts advice that private pools should be drained every 4 to 5 years while a commercial pool should be drained annually.
The truth about pool draining is that there are no set rules guiding the time intervals for swimming pools to be drained. This is because every pool is different and some will require to be drained quicker than others would.
Experts however generally agree that proper cleaning, maintenance, and servicing of the swimming pool is sufficient to keep the pool in a God condition over the time frame.
How Long Will It Take To For My Pool To Drain?
The process of draining a swimming can take as much as 15 hours for some pools. The exact amount of time it takes to drain a pool depends on the size of your pool and how much water is in the pool.
The method of draining being employed and the type of sump pump you are using for the drain also affect the time that will be required. If you have a small, shallow pool draining it may take as little as four hours. Larger pools on the other hand will typically take more time to drain because they’re deeper and most likely have more water in them.
It’s best to drain your pool on a day when you will be home so that you can closely monitor the process. This helps to avoid damaging pool gadgets and equipment.
Do I Need To Drain My Pool To Clean It?
Pool cleaning is an important part of pool maintenance. It ensures that the pool remains safe for all pool users, keeps its aesthetic pleasantness and also preserves the longevity and life span of the swimming pool. Many new pool owners are often under the impression that draining the swimming is the only way to get the swimming pool properly cleaned out.
This however couldn’t be further from the truth. Swimming pools come with mechanisms that ensure that routine cleaning of the pool is done seamlessly. Pool gadgets like the vacuum, skimmers and filters are responsible these processes.
Pool chemicals also play a significant role in keeping the hygienic conditions of the pool at very high levels. Swimming pool experts have equally provided many other options of cleaning the swimming pool without having to drain the pool. They in fact insist that the option of draining the swimming pool should only be considered in the most extreme cases.
How Can I Clean My Pool Without Draining?
1. Pool shocking
Pool shocking is the addition of excess chlorine to the pool water to raise the free chlorine levels of the pool quickly. This quick change in chemical conditions of the pool water destroys bacteria, algae and all other microorganisms that may be present in the pool.
Pool shocking is considered to be an effective solution to swimming pools with relentless green algae problems. Pool shocking is an easy, safe and cheap alternative to other forms of pool cleaning that involves pool draining.
A pool owner can expect to pay between $20 to $50 dollars to have his pool shocked. Shocking the pool reverses the chemical conditions of the pool to the level where it should be.
2. Pool Water Clarifier
Pool water clarifier is used to clear cloudy water. This chemical makes bacteria and other tiny materials in the swimming pool clot together into lumps. The pool water is then made to pass through the filter and the clumps are removed from the pool water.
This helps to eliminate the worries of tiny substance in the swimming pool escaping filtration by the pool filter. A pool clarifier is used when the pool is showing signs of cloudiness/ or the pool water appears to be unclear. It may take a few days to take effect before your pool is completely clear.
This largely depends on the severity of the cloudiness. Pool water clarifiers are widely available and can cost anywhere between $20 and $30.
3. Sanitize your Pool
Pool sanitizers such as Bromine are often used as an alternative to chlorine. The benefits if sanitizers over chlorine include the fact that they are more effective in killing germs and algae and are also less reactive on swimmers.
Many swimmers claim that sanitized pools are softer on them than chlorine treated pool water. They are readily available and can be found in various forms including tablet, granular, stick, or liquid product diluted for safe handling and better performance.
Compared to chlorine, sanitizers are more expensive but the advantages they offer over chlorine are well worth that little extra pay. Sanitizers cost between $30 and $50. Using sanitizers is absolutely another option to consider for cleaning the pool without draining it.
4. Pool vacuum cleaner
A pool vacuum is an electricity powered equipment that is designed for pool cleaning without having to empty the pool. The vacuum is used to clean the walls and bottom of a swimming pool and suction dirt out of the pool.
5. Pool filter
Pool filters are the major component of a pool filtration system. Swimming pools usually come with pool filters that help with removal and expelling or diet and debris from the pool. Filtration systems can also be installed in pools that do not come with it. Filters are easy to use and basically work themselves leaving you with little or nothing to do as the pool gets cleaned up.
When Do I Drain My Pool?
Draining a swimming pool should be seen as a last resort in pool maintenance. Experts preach avoiding pool draining at all cost as it can cause to varying degrees of problems and damage to the swimming pool. There are however certain reasons when pool experts see the draining of a pool as unavoidable. These reasons include;
- Repairs- if your swimming pool needs repairs that can only be done after the oil has been drained, then you really do not have any other option than to drain your pool.
- Extremely dirty- if you have an extremely filthy pool on your hands, cleaning up this type swimming pool would require intense efforts such as acid washing. Many of these extreme cleaning processes will require you to drain your pool and change the pool water.
- Changing pool water- another obvious reasons to drain your swimming pool is the need for the pool water to be changed. Typically, a pool will have to be emptied out before it is filled back up with clean water.
