Dealing with an Overfilled Swimming Pool
As a swimming pool owner, you may encounter situations where your pool becomes excessively filled with water. This can occur unexpectedly, whether due to a heavy spring storm that dumps several inches of rain, a particularly wet season, or simply forgetting to turn off the hose while refilling evaporated water. An overfilled pool can lead to water spilling over the walls of above-ground pools or creating a deeper pool at the entry steps of in-ground pools. This situation may prompt concerns about whether you should immediately drain some water to prevent potential damage to the pool’s liner or structural integrity.
If your swimming pool has become overfilled due to rain or an oversight with the hose, there is typically no need for alarm. Although pools have a recommended fill capacity, it is not necessary to drain the excess water immediately. Over time, evaporation and regular use will naturally bring the water levels back to normal. However, there are a few scenarios where you might consider reducing the water level to stay within the optimal range.
Effects of an Overfilled Pool
The primary concern with an overfilled swimming pool is the skimmer’s ability to effectively maintain a clean surface. If the water level rises too high, the skimmer may become submerged, rendering it ineffective in removing floating debris such as leaves, grass, and insects. Although the filtering system will continue to function and clean the majority of the water, the skimmer’s inability to operate will prevent it from clearing the surface as efficiently as it could if the water were at an appropriate level.
Above Ground Pools
One of the most common worries among pool owners is the potential for excessive pressure on the walls of above-ground pools due to the extra water weight. While there are situations where this could become problematic, most pools will handle the added water without issue. Here are a few reasons you might decide to lower the water level in your above-ground pool:
- If the pool is not perfectly level, the additional weight of the water might strain the sidewalls. For more insights on this topic, refer to my article discussing the weight of water and its effects on pool walls.
- If water is overflowing from the top of the skimmer or spilling over the sides, it may not necessarily be detrimental; however, depending on the pool’s location and its impact on the surrounding ground, it may be advisable to divert the excess water using a backwash hose to prevent saturation of the soil around the pool.
- If there is a significant amount of floating debris and manually removing it seems inefficient or overly time-consuming, draining some water could facilitate easier cleaning. This is particularly relevant in areas with abundant cottonwood trees, strong winds, or other conditions that contribute to surface clutter.
In-Ground Pools
Generally, in-ground pool owners tend to worry less about overfilling, as these pools are designed to handle a certain amount of excess water without imposing additional pressure on the walls. Nonetheless, there are still a couple of factors to consider:
- The depth of the water may exceed the posted levels, which could pose a risk for children or shorter swimmers. If the water depth is deeper than indicated in designated shallow areas, it may be wise to drain some water.
- Similar to above-ground pools, if the skimmer is completely submerged, it will not be able to perform its cleaning function effectively. Although most in-ground pools are designed to avoid this issue, it can still occur in certain designs.
Impact on Pool Chemicals
When you drain water from the pool, you also remove the chemicals that have been introduced to maintain water quality. If you’re not in the middle of a routine backwash, it’s generally best to avoid draining water, as this can diminish the effectiveness of your chemical balance. Following heavy rainfall, it’s often necessary to increase chlorine levels, as the rainwater dilutes the existing chlorine concentration. Reducing the water volume would consequently lower the chemical levels, potentially allowing algae and bacteria to thrive.
Conclusion
If your pool has recently experienced heavy rainfall and the water level has risen above normal—possibly even covering the skimmer—there’s typically no immediate need to drain the water. In fact, it may be more beneficial to focus on adjusting your chlorine levels and checking the alkalinity and pH balance. The influx of rainwater likely diluted your chlorine levels and may have altered your alkalinity as well. For further guidance on post-rain maintenance for your pool, be sure to check out my article detailing the necessary steps to take after a storm.