safe depth to drain vinyl pool w/vinyl stairs

[Watermom]

Actually, it was Al (Poconos) who suggested this method. Don't know if he actually has done it himself or not. Maybe he'll comment on it for you.

[ScottsdaleSwim]

I didn't drain this weekend hoping for more responses.

The tarp would have to be the size of the liner. It can't just be the length and width of the pool because you have to account for the depth...or at least half of the depth depending on the amount you needed to drain - and then some so that you can hold it down on the perimeter of the deck, otherwise it would slide into the pool.
I'm not sure I could find a tarp that large.

[Phillbo]

I don't think the barrier has to extend out of the pool, only form a layer bewteen the out flow and in flow .. keeping the 2 at the same flow rate is tricky I bet. most pumps move a LOT more water than the hose can put back in .


Why not just enjoy the pool for the rest of the summer and then drain it while it's not being used ?

what part of Scottsdale?

[ScottsdaleSwim]

Because you can't completely drain a vinyl pool. It can ruin the liner, float the whole pool or worse. I've heard mostly horror stories about draining a vinyl pool.

How would you keep the tarp on top of the existing pool water and keep the water dispersed evenly enough so that the tarp doesn't slip into the water and mix the new water with the existing water if you don't have it secured around the pool?

That would be like floating saran wrap (unsecured) on top of a bowl- half filled with water and not expecting it to slide under.

I'm having a hard time explaining it...does that make sense?

[tenax]

4 winters now, i have drained my water down about 22 inches from the top edge (which puts it about 2 inches below my jets) vinyl pool vinyl stairs.no problems whatsoever and the pool store's recommendation..

from the standpoint of how much water would be then left in my 15,000 gallon pool? well, at the shallow end, about 26 inches.i have to figure i've drained at about 40% if it to get below the jets. and yes, we do get winter here in my part of alberta canada. (about 45 minutes north of the montana border)

[cheshamjim]

Scotsdale, you are absolutely correct about needing a tarp large enough to not only accomodate your pool's length and width, but the depth as well. We are unlikely to find a tarp that big at the local Lowe's or Home Depot.

I think the word "tarp" might be a little misleading for our purposes. I think plastic sheeting better describes what we are talking about to accomplish this job. I Googled the term and found this. This is expensive material in the sizes we need ($130 for a 32' x 100' roll), but I think I'll go for it next spring.

The way I visualize this working is this. My pool is 16' wide x 32' long x 6' at the deepest location (we don't dive ). I figure the 32' wide roll would be adequate for me cut to a length of 44' (the roll is 100' long).

I'll spread the plastic film over the pool and maybe temporarily put weights on the corners to keep the breezes from blowing the sheet off. Then I'll add water on top of the sheet which will keep the new water separated from the old. I'll add enough new water starting out to get the sheeting to sink down and against the old water and the exposed pool walls. Then I'll start pumping the old water out. Most sump pumps will pump water faster than new water can be added, so I'll pump and stop, fill and stop, pump and stop, etc...pumping and filling need not be done simultaneously and in perfect synchronization.

The sheeting I have referenced is only 4 mils thick (.004") but the sheet really shouldn't be stressed since it will essentially be in equilibrium. I think it will work fine.

While I've never done this, I'm confident that by draining slowly and observing whether, in fact, the sheet is being forced effectively against the pool walls, I can control things. If things start to go south, I can abort the process. I'd be out the cost of the sheet and the rental for a submersible sump pump , but I think its worth the risk to get my CYA right.

I sure would be thankful if anyone who sees some problem with this plan would speak up.

-Jim