how often should a swimming pool be emptied

Author: Poolking - Swimming Pool Equipment Manufacturer

Swimming pools are becoming increasingly common in most households, and they are excellent for relaxation, exercise, and entertainment. However, owning a pool comes with various maintenance requirements, including cleaning, sanitizing, and emptying. While it is relatively easy to maintain, many pool owners struggle with determining when or how often to empty their swimming pool.

In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about emptying your swimming pool, including how often you should do it, factors that influence the frequency of doing so, and how to safely empty your pool.

Why should you empty your swimming pool?

Swimming pools require regular maintenance to keep them in good condition. Pool water can become contaminated with various pollutants, from dirt, debris, and leaves to bacteria such as algae and pathogens. While pool filters and sanitizers help to keep the pool clean and safe, they aren't enough. Over time, these pollutants accumulate and may cause harm to swimmers, damage pool equipment or surfaces, and require costly repairs.

Emptying your swimming pool helps to remove contaminated water, debris, and pollutants, giving you an opportunity to clean and sanitize your pool thoroughly. Besides, it allows you to inspect the pool for any damages, leaks, or cracks that may need repair. Lastly, it rejuvenates your pool, making it feel fresh and inviting for swimming.

How often should you empty your swimming pool?

The frequency of emptying your swimming pool will depend on several factors, including pool usage, climate, and maintenance routine. The standard recommendation is to empty your pool every three to seven years, depending on its size and usage. However, this is not a hard and fast rule, as different pools have varying needs.

Factors that influence how often you should empty your swimming pool

Pool usage:

The frequency of pool usage determines how quickly contaminants build up in the water. If you use your pool frequently or have many swimmers, you may need to empty it more frequently than if you use it less often. Similarly, if you have more pets that use the pool, you may need to empty the pool more frequently.

Climate:

Your location's climate plays a significant role in how often you should empty your swimming pool. If you live in a region with a hot and humid climate or persistent high temperatures, your pool may require more frequent emptying. The heat accelerates the growth of algae and bacteria, making the pool water dirty and unsafe over a short period. On the other hand, if you live in a colder climate, such as in winter, you may not need to empty the pool at all.

Maintenance routine:

Proper maintenance is crucial to ensuring your pool remains clean and safe for swimmers. Regular cleaning and sanitizing help to reduce the contaminants in the pool water, reducing the need for frequent emptying. If you have a robust pool maintenance routine that includes proper chemical balance, regular brushing and skimming, and maintaining your pool filter, you may not need to empty your swimming pool as frequently.

Signs that your swimming pool needs to be emptied

Water chemistry imbalance:

If your pool water has been difficult to balance, it could be a sign that it is time to empty the pool. Over time, the levels of calcium, total alkalinity, and cyanuric acid build up in the water and become difficult to manage, leading to ineffective sanitization and algae growth.

Physical damage:

If you notice any physical damage to your pool's surface or equipment, such as cracks, leaks, or discolorations, it may be necessary to empty the pool. This allows you to inspect and repair the damage effectively.

Conclusion

Emptying your swimming pool is an essential part of its maintenance routine. While it is not necessary to empty your pool every year, it is essential to keep an eye on its usage, climate, and maintenance routine to determine the frequency of doing so. Additionally, maintaining proper chemical balance, regular cleaning, and inspection helps to extend the period between emptying your swimming pool. So, ensure you familiarize yourself with your pool's unique needs and invest in proper maintenance to get the most out of your pool.