Learn How To Drain and Refill Your Vinyl Pool Without Damaging It

Welcome to our guide on how to properly drain and refill your vinyl pool without causing damage. Vinyl pools are a great addition to any backyard, but they require regular maintenance to keep them in top shape. One of the essential maintenance tasks is to drain and refill your pool periodically. Doing so removes any contaminants and helps to keep the water clear and healthy for swimming.

However, if you don’t do it correctly, draining and refilling your vinyl pool can cause irreparable damage to your pool’s structure, leading to costly repairs. That’s why it’s crucial to follow the proper steps and precautions to ensure a successful drain and refill.

In this guide, we’ll show you everything you need to know, from the tools you’ll need to the step-by-step process, so you can safely and confidently drain and refill your vinyl pool on your own. Keep reading to learn how!

Ready to learn the best practices for draining and refilling your vinyl pool? Keep reading and follow our step-by-step guide to ensure your pool stays in excellent condition for years to come!

Step-by-Step Guide

Draining and refilling your vinyl pool might seem like a daunting task, but with the right tools and knowledge, it can be done easily and without damaging your pool. Follow these simple steps to get started:

Step 1: Turn Off Power and Disconnect Equipment – Before you start draining your pool, make sure to turn off the power to the pool pump and other electrical equipment. Then, disconnect any hoses or attachments that are connected to your pool.

Step 2: Prepare Your Pool – Start by removing any debris or leaves from your pool. Then, using a pool brush and cleaner, scrub the sides and bottom of your pool. This will help prevent any buildup from forming in your pool.

Step 3: Drain Your Vinyl Pool – Using a submersible pump or siphon, start draining your pool. Be sure to direct the water away from your house and towards a safe drainage area. Remember to keep an eye on the water level as you drain your pool.

Step 4: Refill Your Pool – Once your pool is completely drained, it’s time to refill it. Start by filling your pool with water using a garden hose. Keep an eye on the water level as you fill your pool to make sure you don’t overfill it.

By following these simple steps, you can drain and refill your vinyl pool without causing any damage. Let’s take a closer look at the tools you’ll need to get started.

Clearing the Area

1. Remove Furniture and Equipment: Before you start draining your vinyl pool, clear the area around it. Remove any furniture, pool equipment, or accessories near the pool to avoid damaging them. Store them in a safe place away from the pool area.

2. Trim the Surrounding Area: Trim any trees, bushes, or plants that are close to the pool. This prevents debris from falling into the pool while you drain it. Also, make sure to clear any debris from the surrounding area.

3. Check Drainage: Check the drainage system around your pool. Make sure it is functioning correctly and can handle the volume of water you will be draining from your pool. If the drainage system is not functioning well, it can cause flooding and damage to the surrounding area.

4. Secure the Area: Secure the pool area to prevent access by children or pets. Put up a fence or barrier to keep them away from the pool area while you are draining it. This ensures their safety and avoids any accidents or injury.

By following these steps, you can clear the area around your vinyl pool and prevent any accidents or damage.

Tools You’ll Need

Before you start the process of draining and refilling your vinyl pool, you need to gather the necessary tools. Here are some of the items you will need:

• Pump and hose: You will need a submersible pump and a hose to drain the water from your pool.
• Cleaner and brush: You will need a vinyl pool cleaner and brush to clean the pool walls and floor before refilling it with water.
• Plumbing plugs: You will need plugs to seal off the pool’s return jets and skimmer to avoid water from flowing out during the process.
• Pool chemicals: You will need pool chemicals such as pH increaser and stabilizer to balance the water after refilling the pool.

Make sure you have all of these tools ready before you start the process.

Additionally, it’s important to have safety equipment such as gloves, goggles, and boots to protect yourself during the process.

Once you have all the tools and equipment you need, you can proceed with draining and refilling your vinyl pool.

Submersible Pump

A submersible pump is a critical tool needed to drain your vinyl pool successfully. These pumps are designed to work in water, and they can drain large volumes of water quickly. To avoid damaging the pump or the pool liner, it’s important to use a submersible pump that is specifically designed for pool draining.

Powerful and Efficient: A good submersible pump should be powerful enough to remove all the water in your pool within a few hours. Look for pumps with high flow rates, between 2,500 to 3,500 gallons per hour (GPH), to get the job done quickly and efficiently.

Easy to Use: The pump should be easy to set up and operate. Most submersible pumps come with a discharge hose that you can attach to the pump and direct the water to the desired location. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for setting up the pump and directing the water.

Durable and Reliable: Choose a submersible pump that is made of durable materials and has a reliable motor. It should be able to handle the demands of draining a pool, and last for years with proper maintenance. Look for pumps with automatic shut-off features, which will turn off the pump when the water level is too low, preventing damage to the pump.

Hosepipe

A hosepipe is a key tool when draining and refilling your vinyl pool. It is important to have a long enough hosepipe that can reach the nearest drain without having to move the pump mid-way. Look for a hosepipe that is specifically designed for pool use and that can handle the flow rate of your pump.

Length: The length of the hosepipe you’ll need will depend on the size of your pool and the distance to the drain. Make sure you measure the distance and get a hosepipe that is long enough to reach the drain without having to move the pump mid-way.

Diameter: A hosepipe with a larger diameter will allow for faster water flow, which can save you time when draining and refilling your pool. However, make sure your pump can handle the flow rate of the larger diameter hosepipe before using it.

Connectors: Look for a hosepipe that comes with connectors that can easily attach to your pump and pool. You may need to purchase additional connectors depending on your specific setup.

Wet/Dry Vacuum

A wet/dry vacuum is essential in removing any remaining water from the pool after using a submersible pump. It’s a powerful tool that can handle large volumes of water, and can also remove debris from the bottom of the pool.

When using a wet/dry vacuum, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid damaging the unit. Use the vacuum to suck up any remaining water from the pool, starting from the deepest point and working your way towards the shallow end.

It’s also a good idea to use the vacuum to clean the pool walls and floor before refilling the pool with water. This will ensure that any dirt, leaves, or other debris is removed before adding fresh water to the pool.

Investing in a good quality wet/dry vacuum is a wise decision if you own a vinyl pool, as it can make the draining and refilling process much easier and efficient.

Preparing Your Pool

Before you drain your vinyl pool, you need to make sure that it is prepared properly. This will help prevent damage to the pool’s structure and ensure a smooth draining process. The following steps will help you prepare your pool:

Step 1: Turn off the pool pump and filter system to prevent any damage to the equipment.

Step 2: Remove any debris or objects from the pool, such as toys or floating devices, to prevent damage to the pool’s interior.

Step 3: Lower the water level in the pool to just above the skimmer intake. This will help prevent any damage to the pool’s skimmer or other equipment during the draining process.

Step 4: Inspect the pool’s interior for any cracks or damage before draining. If any damage is found, it should be repaired before draining the pool.

Checking for Water Drainage System

The first thing you need to do when preparing your vinyl pool for draining is to check for a water drainage system. Some vinyl pools have a dedicated drainage system that you can use to drain the pool quickly and easily. If your pool has a drainage system, locate it and ensure that it is functioning correctly. If the drainage system is not working correctly, you may need to hire a professional to fix it.

If your pool does not have a dedicated drainage system, you can still drain it, but you will need to use a submersible pump. Before you begin draining the pool, ensure that you have all the necessary tools and equipment on hand.

• Submersible pump: A submersible pump is an essential tool for draining a vinyl pool. You can purchase or rent a submersible pump from your local pool supply store or hardware store.
• Hosepipe: You will need a hosepipe to connect to the submersible pump and direct the water to the desired drainage area.
• Wet/dry vacuum: A wet/dry vacuum can be used to remove any remaining water after draining the pool.
• Broom and dustpan: You will need a broom and dustpan to sweep up any debris that may be left in the pool after draining it.

Once you have all the necessary tools and equipment on hand, you can begin preparing your pool for draining.

Lowering the Water Level

The first step to cleaning your pool is to lower the water level. This will make it easier to clean and remove debris from the bottom of the pool. Use a submersible pump to lower the water level to about 6 inches below the pool’s normal water level.

Important note: If your pool has a vinyl liner, do not lower the water level more than 18 inches. Doing so can cause the liner to shrink and may result in the need for costly repairs or replacement.

Once you have lowered the water level to the appropriate level, use a hosepipe to spray down the walls of the pool to remove any dirt or debris that may have collected there.

Next, use a wet/dry vacuum to remove any debris from the bottom of the pool. Be sure to use the appropriate setting on your vacuum to avoid damaging the pool’s surface.

How To Drain Your Vinyl Pool

Introduction: Draining your vinyl pool is a task that may seem daunting, but it is necessary to keep your pool in good condition.

Step 1 – Turn off the Power: Before you start draining your pool, make sure that you turn off the power to the pool pump and any other electrical devices near the pool area.

Step 2 – Connect the Pump: Once the power is off, you can connect your submersible pump to the hosepipe and place it in the deepest part of the pool.

Step 3 – Begin Pumping: Turn on the pump and begin pumping the water out of the pool. Keep an eye on the pump to make sure that it is working correctly.

Step 4 – Monitor the Water Level: As the water level drops, you may need to reposition the pump to ensure that it is still submerged.

Step 5 – Finish Draining: Once the water level is low enough, turn off the pump and remove it from the pool. You can then use a wet/dry vacuum to remove any remaining water from the pool.

Using a Submersible Pump

If you decide to use a submersible pump, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Position the pump: Place the submersible pump in the deepest part of the pool to ensure maximum drainage.
• Connect the hose: Attach the hose to the pump, making sure it is long enough to reach the drainage area.
• Start the pump: Turn on the pump and let it run until the pool is empty. Monitor the pump to make sure it doesn’t run dry.
• Store the pump: After the pool is drained, turn off the pump and disconnect it from the power source. Store it in a dry and safe place.

Using a submersible pump is a quick and effective way to drain your vinyl pool. However, always read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the specific pump you are using.

Using a Hosepipe

If you don’t have a submersible pump, you can use a hosepipe to drain your vinyl pool. However, this method can take longer and requires more manual labor. Here’s how to do it:

Step	Description	Tips
Step 1	Attach a hosepipe to the pool’s drainage valve.	Tip: Make sure the hosepipe fits securely to prevent water leakage.
Step 2	Place the other end of the hosepipe in an area where the water can drain away from the pool.	Tip: Choose an area that won’t cause damage to your property or your neighbor’s property.
Step 3	Open the pool’s drainage valve and let the water flow through the hosepipe.	Tip: Monitor the water flow to prevent overflow or damage to the pool.
Step 4	Wait for the water to completely drain from the pool.	Tip: Use a pool brush to sweep the remaining water towards the drainage valve to speed up the process.

Once the water is drained, you can follow the same steps as using a submersible pump to clean and store your vinyl pool.

Cleaning the Remaining Water with a Wet/Dry Vacuum

After draining the bulk of the water from your pool, there will still be some remaining water. To remove this water, you can use a wet/dry vacuum. This type of vacuum is designed to handle both wet and dry materials, making it perfect for removing water from your pool.

Before using the wet/dry vacuum, make sure to remove any large debris from the pool with a net or skimmer. This will prevent the vacuum from clogging and allow it to work more efficiently.

Once the debris is removed, attach the vacuum hose to the vacuum and turn it on. Slowly move the hose around the pool, making sure to cover every inch of the bottom and sides. It may take some time to remove all the remaining water, so be patient and thorough.

Refilling Your Pool

Check your water source: Make sure that your water source is clean and free of contaminants. It’s also important to ensure that the water supply is adequate for your pool size.

Start the refill: Turn on the water supply and let the water flow into the pool. Be sure to monitor the process and check the water level periodically.

Add necessary chemicals: Once the pool is filled, it’s important to add the necessary chemicals to balance the water chemistry. This includes pH balancers, chlorine or other sanitizers, and algaecides.

Run the filtration system: After adding chemicals, it’s important to run the filtration system for at least 24 hours to ensure that the water is properly circulated and filtered.

Test the water: Once the filtration system has run for 24 hours, test the water to ensure that the chemical levels are balanced and the water is safe for swimming.

Filling the Pool

Step 1: Turn off the water supply – Before filling your pool, make sure to turn off the water supply to your hose to prevent any overflow or flooding.

Step 2: Begin filling the pool – Once the water supply is turned off, you can begin filling the pool. Start by placing the hose in the deepest part of the pool and turn the water on.

Step 3: Monitor the water level – Keep an eye on the water level as the pool fills up to prevent overflow. You can use a water level gauge or simply monitor the water level manually.

Dealing with Chemicals

Before adding any chemicals, make sure that the pH level of the water is within the recommended range of 7.2 to 7.You can use a pH testing kit to measure the level of pH in the water. Adjust the pH level using the appropriate chemicals if necessary.

Once the pH level is in the recommended range, add the necessary amount of chlorine or other pool sanitizer to kill bacteria and other harmful organisms. It is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when adding chemicals to the pool.

After adding chemicals, run the pool pump for at least 24 hours to ensure that the chemicals are evenly distributed throughout the water. Recheck the pH level and adjust if necessary. It is also important to regularly test the pool water to ensure that the pH level and chlorine levels remain within the recommended range.

Maintaining Your Vinyl Pool

Regular Cleaning: Cleaning your pool regularly is essential to keep it free from debris and bacteria. Use a pool skimmer to remove leaves, insects, and other debris. Brush the pool walls, steps, and corners with a pool brush to prevent algae build-up. Vacuum the pool floor and walls weekly to remove debris that has settled to the bottom.

Chemical Balance: Maintaining the correct chemical balance is crucial to ensure the pool is safe to swim in. Test the pool water regularly to monitor the pH levels, chlorine levels, and total alkalinity. Adjust the chemicals as needed to maintain the recommended levels.

Filter Maintenance: The pool filter is responsible for removing impurities and particles from the water. Regularly check and clean the filter according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Backwash the sand filter when the pressure gauge reads 8-10 psi above normal operating pressure. Clean the cartridge filter by hosing it down or soaking it in a filter cleaner solution.

Cover the Pool: Use a pool cover when the pool is not in use. A pool cover will keep debris and sunlight out of the pool, preventing algae growth and reducing the need for chemicals. It will also help to retain heat and reduce water evaporation, which will save you money on heating and water bills.

Professional Maintenance: Hire a professional pool maintenance service to perform regular maintenance on your pool. They will have the expertise and equipment needed to ensure your pool is safe, clean, and functioning properly. A professional service can also catch potential issues early, saving you money in the long run.

Regular Cleaning

Vacuum the pool: It’s essential to vacuum your vinyl pool at least once a week to remove debris that has settled on the bottom. You can use a manual or an automatic pool vacuum, depending on your preference.

Brush the walls and steps: Brushing the walls and steps of your vinyl pool is an important part of regular maintenance. This helps to remove algae and other buildup that can cause discoloration or damage to the pool liner.

Skim the surface: Skimming the surface of your pool with a net removes debris such as leaves, insects, and other floating objects. Doing this every day will help prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the pool and becoming harder to remove.

Frequently Asked Questions