Pool Renovation Guide: How to Empty a Fiberglass, Gunite or Concrete Swimming Pool 

Before you begin any pool renovation project, including the application of an AquaGuard pool resurfacing product, you need to properly drain the pool. Even if you have been told that your pool will never need to be emptied, there comes a time for all pools to be repaired and draining them is the first step.

Pool Renovation Rule #1 - Don’t Do More Damage When You Prep 

Preparing for a pool renovation by emptying it sounds simple enough, however it is not the same as letting the water out of your bathtub. The underground water pressure must be relieved in order to avoid damage to the pool when emptying it. Practically every type of fiberglass, gunite or concrete swimming pool has a safety feature built in to prevent the hydrostatic pressure damage that can occur. Once this type of damage occurs to pools, repair may or may not be possible.
These precautions are extremely important for all pools, but especially for lightweight fiberglass pools. These are most at risk of lifting due to a hydrostatic pressure change caused by draining a pool. However, damage, including lifting, can also occur with the other types of pools. Unless a fiberglass pool is equipped with a built-in underground water pressure relief system, you should not empty it during the rainy season. Luckily most are equipped with this system. If you notice standing ground water near your pool following rain, you will likely encounter the problem of pool lifting.
The information we provide here is a guide to help prevent additional damage to pools. The repair you are working on need not cost more money and time simply because of errors made during the preparation stage of the pool renovation. 

Draining a Pool with Hydrostatic Relief Valves Prior to Pool Renovation 

Many pools have hydrostatic relief valves near the bottom of the steep slope. It is important to remove them as soon as you can reach them during the pool draining process. If there is a bottom drain in your pool, open it to check if it has a hydrostatic relief valve. When you find it, unscrew it and remove it once the pool has drained.
Often you will be left with about a foot of water that simply won’t drain. A sump pump can take care of it; however you need to act quickly and remove the remaining water to allow access to the bottom drain, so the cover can be removed to avoid damage to the pool.
Once the valve is open, you will need to insert a hose into it, threading it through a 3 to 6 foot long pipe you will place in the valve first. When the hose is just above the top of the coping, attach it to a pump to remove water beneath the pool. This water is plain groundwater and therefore contains no pool chemicals to worry about. Be sure the water shoots out at least 50 to 100 feet away from the pool. Step 1 of preparing for your pool renovation is complete.

Draining a Pool with Standpipes Prior to Pool Renovation 

Some pools have standpipes located near the pool. These pipes are relatively inconspicuous and are the result of water problems encountered during the original pool construction. Usually located 10 to 30 feet away from the pool, standpipes are under a foot high and are sometimes equipped with a cap. They are also occasionally found under a diving board or near the filter and pump. 
There are many instances where a standpipe equivalent is substituted during pool construction, when a high water table was discovered. If you see a small white or black PVC pipe sticking out of the ground on the edge of the deck near the grass, which is just shorter than the top of the deck, you have found the standpipe equivalent. Sitting in a 4 by 4 foot stone pit, it is usually not even noticed by most people.
In order to use the standpipe or standpipe equivalent to reduce the hydrostatic pressure on the pool, you will need to put a long hose into the pipe. Connect the hose to a utility pump in order to drain the underground water. 

Draining a Pool with Well Points Prior to Pool Renovation 

Pool construction in certain areas, such as near beaches and other low lying areas, require well points. They may be installed around the complete perimeter of the pool or only on one or two sides. However, it is pretty uncommon to have a pool with well points. If you are doing pool resurfacing on one, you will want to hire an experienced professional to take care of draining the pool.

Pool renovation with AquaGuard is quick, easy and gives a top quality result. Get started now by safely draining your pool and dealing with structural damage.