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Started By
Message
Need advice on draining an in-ground vinyl liner pool
Posted on 4/16/13 at 12:00 pm
Posted on 4/16/13 at 12:00 pm
Just bought a house and the pool sat for 2 years without any upkeep. Currently looks like a pond with lots of Black and Green Algae and leaves on the bottom (can't see the bottom, but I get tons of leaves when I scoop it out).
Should I drain it about half way, clean out as much of the debris as I can, fill it up with clean water and run it until it clears up?
I know you should not fully drain it, because it could be bad with the pool "popping out" of the ground structurally, etc.
Should I use a submersible pump vs the back wash pump to do this?
-This is a salt water pool
-Liner is about 7-8 years old
Thanks for any advice!
Should I drain it about half way, clean out as much of the debris as I can, fill it up with clean water and run it until it clears up?
I know you should not fully drain it, because it could be bad with the pool "popping out" of the ground structurally, etc.
Should I use a submersible pump vs the back wash pump to do this?
-This is a salt water pool
-Liner is about 7-8 years old
Thanks for any advice!
11
Posted on 4/16/13 at 12:02 pm to moon
I had to drain the cover of my pool and used a sump pump and fed the line into the sewage washout.
Posted on 4/16/13 at 12:05 pm to moon
I rented a 2" pump few years ago. Only $40 a day I think. Would be faster and less wear than using your pool pump.
Do you think it would float up if you emptied it? Maybe pump and run a hose til water looks clear. Then start cleaning.
Do you think it would float up if you emptied it? Maybe pump and run a hose til water looks clear. Then start cleaning.
Posted on 4/16/13 at 12:06 pm to moon
No need to drain it. Shock the hell out of it, back wash the pump as It filters out the gunk.
Posted on 4/16/13 at 12:06 pm to Nodust
quote:
Do you think it would float up if you emptied it? Maybe pump and run a hose til water looks clear. Then start cleaning.
This, throw in some shock while pumping/filling.
Posted on 4/16/13 at 12:07 pm to moon
I would use a seperate pump to pump it out. does it look like the liner has water behind it? it might hard to see until you get some of the water out.
not sure how old the pool is, but i have seen pools with a type of a relief valve system in the main drain. it allows water from outside to seep into the pool. this helps with the "popping out"
quote:
I know you should not fully drain it, because it could be bad with the pool "popping out" of the ground structurally, etc.
not sure how old the pool is, but i have seen pools with a type of a relief valve system in the main drain. it allows water from outside to seep into the pool. this helps with the "popping out"
Posted on 4/16/13 at 12:18 pm to moon
I'd rent a trash pump and pump it down using it like a vacuum on the leaves while doing it. May have to unclog pump several times as well as refill pool but I'd definitely not risk my pool filter with that gunk and the pump rental would be cheaper than the chemicals needed to return it from green to clean.
Posted on 4/16/13 at 12:22 pm to moon
Have any idea what your ground elevation is near the pool? If you're lucky enough to be elevated some, you may be able to get away with draining it.
Posted on 4/16/13 at 1:08 pm to Boudreaux35
First thing to do is scoop what you can from the bottom, even though you cant see it, until it is mostly out. You are going to have to do this anyway and there really is no short cut.
Then, when the debris is pretty much cleaned out, start the pump and see if it even works. If it does, put about 10 pounds of shock in the pool and let the filter run for a day or three. It should start to clear.
The algae will sink to the bottom as it dies, making powdery piles. If necessary, shock it hard again, as much as five pounds. The shock will be absorbed by the algae. Backwash if the filter is clogging. Let it run a couple more days. (notice that there is no fast way to do it right)
Then you should be able to assess whether you need to get more direct with the algaecide for black algae or some other discrete problem. Start brushing. By this time you should be able to vacuum and start balancing the water. Should take about two weeks or more.
You will have to vacuum and brush almost daily to get the pool clean. Set your vacuum to waste every time. Replace the water you vacuum out. By about two weeks you can get the chlorinator working again and add salt. However, I would use added chlorine throughout the cleaning process.
Then, when the debris is pretty much cleaned out, start the pump and see if it even works. If it does, put about 10 pounds of shock in the pool and let the filter run for a day or three. It should start to clear.
The algae will sink to the bottom as it dies, making powdery piles. If necessary, shock it hard again, as much as five pounds. The shock will be absorbed by the algae. Backwash if the filter is clogging. Let it run a couple more days. (notice that there is no fast way to do it right)
Then you should be able to assess whether you need to get more direct with the algaecide for black algae or some other discrete problem. Start brushing. By this time you should be able to vacuum and start balancing the water. Should take about two weeks or more.
You will have to vacuum and brush almost daily to get the pool clean. Set your vacuum to waste every time. Replace the water you vacuum out. By about two weeks you can get the chlorinator working again and add salt. However, I would use added chlorine throughout the cleaning process.
This post was edited on 4/16/13 at 1:13 pm
Posted on 4/16/13 at 1:15 pm to TBoy
By the way, Moon, ever taken care of a pool before? If you are going to do it yourself you should get a little instruction from someone. It isn't difficult, but even a day of talking with someone while working on your pool would be extremely helpful.
Posted on 4/16/13 at 1:18 pm to moon
Dont just pump all the water out you could really mess your pool up bad. I have seen them completely fall in or your liner float up and get all kinda messed up.
Get a leaf catcher. It hooks to your pump and uses water to spray the leaves into a net.
Once you get all the leaves out, shock the shite out of it. Keep it above 20PPM until it starts getting clear then let it stay close to 17ppm. Once it is crystal clear then keep it around 15ppm. Anything below 15ppm and algae starts growing again.
I would also use Clorox instead of Chlorine powder. Especially if your liner is older and sorta bleached anyway. Clorox wont leave the particulate in the water but it will bleach your liner. If it is a white liner then definitely use Clorox instead of Chlorine.
Get a leaf catcher. It hooks to your pump and uses water to spray the leaves into a net.
Once you get all the leaves out, shock the shite out of it. Keep it above 20PPM until it starts getting clear then let it stay close to 17ppm. Once it is crystal clear then keep it around 15ppm. Anything below 15ppm and algae starts growing again.
I would also use Clorox instead of Chlorine powder. Especially if your liner is older and sorta bleached anyway. Clorox wont leave the particulate in the water but it will bleach your liner. If it is a white liner then definitely use Clorox instead of Chlorine.
Posted on 4/16/13 at 1:26 pm to TBoy
quote:
First thing to do is scoop what you can from the bottom, even though you cant see it, until it is mostly out. You are going to have to do this anyway and there really is no short cut.
Then, when the debris is pretty much cleaned out, start the pump and see if it even works. If it does, put about 10 pounds of shock in the pool and let the filter run for a day or three. It should start to clear.
The algae will sink to the bottom as it dies, making powdery piles. If necessary, shock it hard again, as much as five pounds. The shock will be absorbed by the algae. Backwash if the filter is clogging. Let it run a couple more days. (notice that there is no fast way to do it right)
Then you should be able to assess whether you need to get more direct with the algaecide for black algae or some other discrete problem. Start brushing. By this time you should be able to vacuum and start balancing the water. Should take about two weeks or more.
You will have to vacuum and brush almost daily to get the pool clean. Set your vacuum to waste every time. Replace the water you vacuum out. By about two weeks you can get the chlorinator working again and add salt. However, I would use added chlorine throughout the cleaning process.
this
Posted on 4/16/13 at 1:52 pm to moon
I just drained and cleaned my green pool 3 days ago (I was gone for 6 months)
I don't know about your kind of pool, buy mine has this equalizer plug in the main drain to keep the pool from floating. (circled in red)
I don't know about your kind of pool, buy mine has this equalizer plug in the main drain to keep the pool from floating. (circled in red)
Posted on 4/16/13 at 2:08 pm to moon
Get a trash pump. Whenever debris gets too big, rake it up and throw it out. Most leaves will go through a 3" trash pump. Solid leaves will not
Posted on 4/16/13 at 2:09 pm to moon
have your wife sit at the bottom while you drain it completely out. ...
Posted on 4/16/13 at 2:14 pm to moon
Good advice has been posted. I will add, what we did at my parents house in the spring each year:
Scoop as many leaves out as possible.
Take a light weight water hose and attach a metal spray nozzle and throw in the pool. Run your pump and get the rest of the leaves in the catch tray.
Shock the hell out of it.
Enjoy.
Scoop as many leaves out as possible.
Take a light weight water hose and attach a metal spray nozzle and throw in the pool. Run your pump and get the rest of the leaves in the catch tray.
Shock the hell out of it.
Enjoy.
Posted on 4/16/13 at 2:17 pm to CoastieGM
quote:
CoastiGM
KILL THAT SPIDER!!!!
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