Danville's Pool

[danville]

Yes our testing kit only goes to 100 CYA, but the pool tech we consulted had a kit that went higher and he was the one he told us it was 150.

Sounds like we should go ahead and drain the pool. The pool is an inground concrete pool about 10 years old in a warm California climate. We are novices as this is our first pool - any advice on how to best drain the pool? Anything we need to look out for to avoid damaging the pool? Should we use a pressure washer once the pool is drained?

Thanks for all your help.

[Watermom]

In a dry area, you most likely have a low water table which is good when it comes to draining pools. You shouldn't have any problems. I assume you have a bottom drain. Not sure about the pressure washer. I'm gonna let someone else answer that part of your question for you. Probably ok as long as not the highest pressure but see who else chimes in on that.

[polyvue]

Yes our testing kit only goes to 100 CYA, but the pool tech we consulted had a kit that went higher and he was the one he told us it was 150.

Sounds like we should go ahead and drain the pool. The pool is an inground concrete pool about 10 years old in a warm California climate. We are novices as this is our first pool - any advice on how to best drain the pool? Anything we need to look out for to avoid damaging the pool? Should we use a pressure washer once the pool is drained?

Unless, as Watermom said, you have a high water table, or it's rained heavily in recent weeks (it's certainly dry enough to drain a pool where I am, in Sacramento) it shouldn't be a problem.

You don't have to have a bottom drain if you're willing to rent or buy a light weight sump* pump (less than $90 at Home Depot, Lowes, etc.) If you have a pool equipment controller or pump timer, be sure these are in service mode or turned off. I wouldn't recommend leaving the pool in a drained state for more than a few days, just start filling right away -- multiple hoses will speed the process.

Not sure what power-washing would do for your pool -- other than risk plaster damage. If you have a mild algae condition, spend a few minutes on the algae stains with bleach and a bristle brush, then fill it up. Maintaining a higher-than-usual chlorine level and brushing once a day will eventually work to remove staining deposited by algae growth.

EDIT * I meant a submersible pump, not necessarily a sump pump. END-EDIT

[CarlD]

My problem with used sump pumps is where they were used! Talk about a chlorine demand! (thankfully, chlorine will ensure a sanitary aftermath.)

[danville]

We do have a bottom drain. May be a silly question but how do I drain the pool from that (as you can see I am a newbie)? Would I just connect a hose to the pump somewhere? Given that I don't really know what I am doing and this will be a little trial and error, is there any equipment I could likely mess up by playing around to figure this out?

Many thanks.

[Watermom]

If you have a bottom drain shouldn't it be plumbed and drain out the plumbing pipes with the other used water in your house? I can't imagine having a bottom drain and that not being the case.

[polyvue]

My problem with used sump pumps is where they were used!

I misspoke... meant to suggest a submersible pump Here's one that would probably work. It's similar to the one I use to drain my pool. Wouldn't want to rent an actual sump pump for the reason Carl elucidated.

We do have a bottom drain. May be a silly question but how do I drain the pool from that (as you can see I am a newbie)? Would I just connect a hose to the pump somewhere? Given that I don't really know what I am doing and this will be a little trial and error, is there any equipment I could likely mess up by playing around to figure this out?

Look for a hose connection in your PVC pipe. On my equipment pad, there's a hose bib that can be used to partially drain with the pool pump. If you do a partial drain this way be sure to divert 100% suction to the main drain (normally via a Jandy valve plumbed between the pool and the main pump). If you don't have the ability to divert suction or the pump loses prime during this operation, perform the drain with a submersible pump.

So long as you don't run your pool pump dry (for more than few seconds) or direct pumped water through a neighbor's (or your) living room there isn't much to mess up.

If you have a bottom drain shouldn't it be plumbed and drain out the plumbing pipes with the other used water in your house? I can't imagine having a bottom drain and that not being the case

Is that how they're plumbed in the East? Not here. Main drains are often connected at the skimmer; better configurations feature one or more separate home runs to the equipment area (pump shack). So they are part of the circulation system of the pool and aren't a real drain in the sense of having a sewer connection.

[Watermom]

I have no idea how they're plumbed in the east, north, south, west or anywhere in between. Plumbing is definitely not my department! Bad assumption on my part.

[waterbear]

Draining a pool is really easy if you have a main drain! Turn off your skimmers and open the drain plug on your filter or set the multiport to waste. Turn on the pump. You will empty the pool in no time!