Leaving a pool empty?

retiree

Bronze
Jan 18, 2008
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Has anyone left a pool empty for an extended period? We are thinking of leaving our pool empty for 6 months. It was painted recently and the paint is in great shape. Any thoughts or experience with this?
 

windeguy

Platinum
Jul 10, 2004
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If you live in an area where the ground water is higher in the winter (or any time it rains a lot and raises the ground water level) , your pool will pop out of the ground.
 

william webster

Platinum
Jan 16, 2009
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in more northern climates it is a HUGE problem - the ground rejects the pool.

here(they tell me) the ground is more stable and its not such a big problem.
I would be wary, just the same.
 
Aug 6, 2006
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Pools in Miami left empty normally are damaged in this way. It never freezes here. I would want to consult an expert about the best course of action.
 

william webster

Platinum
Jan 16, 2009
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Is there a Pool Boy in the house who can offer quasi-professional advice???

Miami has a very high water table.... it could float away.

Calling a Pool Boy ..............come in PBoy
 

windeguy

Platinum
Jul 10, 2004
42,211
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Or at least start to crack etc... I've never actually seen one pop out of the ground. BUt have seen a couple that cracked from the pressure below them.

I have seen one that popped out of the ground in Cabarete.
 

william webster

Platinum
Jan 16, 2009
30,247
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true Windy-- the ground will push them up..... perhaps moreso in cooler climates but the ground will reject them without the water weight
 

william webster

Platinum
Jan 16, 2009
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perhaps safer if it is in rock or caliche (sp).... but not worth risking.... you never know 'til its too late
 

dv8

Gold
Sep 27, 2006
31,266
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wait, what? pool popping out of the ground? i googled the images and holy smoke, amazing!
 

drstock

Silver
Oct 29, 2010
4,502
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Cabarete
The cement pool at the house next to mine has been empty for about a year and appears not to have any ill effects other than starting to fill with dirty water when it rains, which is a mosquito breeding ground. Taking good advice from someone on this site we go in from time to time and drop some Cloro in to kill them.
 

william webster

Platinum
Jan 16, 2009
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@drstock....... I'm not sure you can assess the problem/damage until you fill it up again and it leaks..... hairline fractures get BIG under pressure
 

retiree

Bronze
Jan 18, 2008
978
10
0
Thanks. I would make sure no untreated stagnant water was left. Our main concern was what would happen to the recent paint (4 months ago). Before its recent paint job our pool was empty for 7 months. The cement was so drythe paint adhered beautifully.
The pool is on high solid rock so popping out is not an issue.
 

william webster

Platinum
Jan 16, 2009
30,247
4,329
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I was speaking to my builder this morning and he says the UV rays are what kills the paint -- I suspect that is with or without water.

Maybe you'll have no problems..cross your fingers..........good luck
 

Criss Colon

Platinum
Jan 2, 2002
21,843
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yahoomail.com
Retiree, for a small fee, I will stay in your house, swim in your pool, run the pump & filter system, clean the pool, and report to you on a daily basis!!!!
I'll also sleep in your bed, and eat your food!
"DEAL"?????????????????
CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC
 

drescape24

Bronze
Nov 2, 2011
1,918
0
36
In high school I used to install one piece ( I know the pools are concrete in the D.R.) fiberglass pools. Its the rising water table that pushes the pool up not so much as the earth rejecting the pool. If your on solid rock you should be good. Hope all works out well for you.

drescape24
 

william webster

Platinum
Jan 16, 2009
30,247
4,329
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Retiree, for a small fee, I will stay in your house, swim in your pool, run the pump & filter system, clean the pool, and report to you on a daily basis!!!!
I'll also sleep in your bed, and eat your food!
"DEAL"?????????????????
CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC

Small Fee????? CCCCCCC

How small are you willing pay ????

WWWWWWWWWWWWWW
 

malko

Campesino !! :)
Jan 12, 2013
5,545
1,327
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Well, my pool is full all the time but the whole damn thing is popping out of the ground ( ok only a couple of cm...).
Always wondered why.....
 

windeguy

Platinum
Jul 10, 2004
42,211
5,966
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Hydrostatic pressure.

While it is related to the issue:
hydrostatic pressure (hī′drə-stăt′ĭk)
The pressure exerted by a fluid at equilibrium at a given point within the fluid, due to the force of gravity. Hydrostatic pressure increases in proportion to depth measured from the surface because of the increasing weight of fluid exerting downward force from above.

The term buoyancy, which is an upward force exerted by a fluid that opposes the weight of an immersed object, or what makes a boat float, is also a good explanation.