problem emptying swimming pool

mand · Post by **mand** » Thu 18 Apr 2013 15:33

Hi

Last year our pool kept turning green we took a sample of water to a swimming pool shop for testing and was told to change the water.

We turned the valve to Waste and switched the pump on,
the water started draining and then stopped even though the pump was still running,

What are we doing wrong, any advice would be welcome it's a concrete in ground chlorine/sand based pool

We are also worried because we have read that even concrete pools can rise, so how many days would it be safe to leave empty once we've achieved this?

Thanks

Satbloke66 · Post by **Satbloke66** » Thu 18 Apr 2013 18:08

mand wrote:Hi

Last year our pool kept turning green we took a sample of water to a swimming pool shop for testing and was told to change the water.

We turned the valve to Waste and switched the pump on,
the water started draining and then stopped even though the pump was still running,

What are we doing wrong, any advice would be welcome it's a concrete in ground chlorine/sand based pool

We are also worried because we have read that even concrete pools can rise, so how many days would it be safe to leave empty once we've achieved this?

Thanks

Turn off the skimmers or the pump will lose prime once they are dry

mand · Post by **mand** » Thu 18 Apr 2013 18:14

Thanks for the reply I have sent you a pm...thanks

mand · Post by **mand** » Thu 18 Apr 2013 18:17

How do we prime the pump?

Allan · Post by **Allan** » Thu 18 Apr 2013 23:40

mand wrote:How do we prime the pump?

If a pump is pulling on air then it tends to run fast and not actually pump anything. It is ok to run a pump for a short while like this and most will catch on whatever water is present and effectively prime itself.

Most pools have 3 water outlets, the skimmer basket, the vacuum inlet and a drain hole at the bottom. Make sure all valves are closed except for the drain hole. If the water level is below the pump then you need to prime it. Usually there is a pre filter on the pump with a removable glass lid, take this off and fill it very quickly - a hose pipe is best. Put the lid back before the water runs away.

If you have been emptying the pool with the skimmer valve open then pour water into the skimmer before closing the valve.

Did the pool shop say why you need to empty it? It's a fairly extreme thing to do.

mand · Post by **mand** » Fri 19 Apr 2013 08:47

Hi
thanks for the reply
We bought a shock treatment that didn't work, the shop requested a sample of water for testing, tested it and said basically when the water was at that stage that we were wasting our time, she could sell us more products but the money we would be spending on chemicals we could be spending on water and advised us to change the water.

so what happened turned the pump to waste but forgot to shut off the skimmer valve, the water started draining but then stopped but the pump was still running, realising the skimmers were still open shut off the pump and were weary of doing anymore without seeking advice.

the water is still in the pump and still some in the skimmers,
if we now shut the skimmer valves would we be able to continue draining or would we need to add some water back to the pool because the skimmers appear to have what look like sensors and start again?

Allan · Post by **Allan** » Fri 19 Apr 2013 09:01

All pools are designed to be emptied so I would expect that if you close the skimmer valve then it should continue to empty. If your pool has a connector for a pool vac hose then you need to close the valve to that as well.

Try it, you are unlikely to do any damage. Just don't leave it running without water for a long time. Keep an eye on it when the level gets below the skimmer and vacuum port if you have one. If it keeps pumping then all is Ok.

Obviously I don't know the design of your pool but normally the valves are the other side of the pump from the sand filter

mand · Post by **mand** » Fri 19 Apr 2013 09:09

Thank you we'll give it a try but don't think it will be until after the weekend now looking at the weather..

blackduff · Post by **blackduff** » Fri 19 Apr 2013 11:42

Mand
I don't have a piscine (for obvious reasons) but when your water turns green, and you dump the water, you will need to clean the walls of the piscine. Probably a Kärcher is the best but just brushes and elbow grease will make this help. Otherwise, your new filled piscine full of water turn green too.

I took a quick check and there are three companies listed in the P-O Life for "pool". Ask your neighbors and ask who they use for maintenance of their swimming pools. I know four or five guys locally which take care of piscines and they have quite a bit of experience keeping to make the water blue. And learn from these guys so you can handle this later yourself.

Good luck,

Blackduff

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