We're moving into a neighborhood in Greencastle and need to drain (and get rid of) a large above ground pool.
Our house sits on 1/3 acre, so our neighbors are pretty close.
There's no public drainage nearby.
People keep telling me to drain it into our yard, but I'm worried it'll flood everything and make my neighbors' yards mushy. Not a very neighborly way to get started! LOL
What do you suggest?
Full Version: How do I drain a large, above ground pool?
That's a big problem. Considering the amount of water you have to get rid of.
Several options.
Drain into yard and risk the neighbor's wrath.
Do you have septic or public sewer? If public sewer, drain into outside cleanout. The township will frown on this, so you may have to do it at night.
Can you drain into the street without it running all over the place?
Call a septic cleanout service to drain into their truck. This is probably going to be the most expensive method.
A 24 foot round pool can hold over 18,000 gallons.
Call the local fire department and see if they want to fill up their tanker. Or call the local fire department and see if they'll do it for a sizable donation ($100 or so).
Develop a tremendous thirst.
Several options.
Drain into yard and risk the neighbor's wrath.
Do you have septic or public sewer? If public sewer, drain into outside cleanout. The township will frown on this, so you may have to do it at night.
Can you drain into the street without it running all over the place?
Call a septic cleanout service to drain into their truck. This is probably going to be the most expensive method.
A 24 foot round pool can hold over 18,000 gallons.
Call the local fire department and see if they want to fill up their tanker. Or call the local fire department and see if they'll do it for a sizable donation ($100 or so).
Develop a tremendous thirst.
I'd call a plumber and she what they'd suggest, or maybe even a place like Lowes or Home Depot.
Whoops, almost forgot... if you drain into the yard, make sure the chlorine content is not too high. Chlorine will kill the grass and shrubbery.
Got a large sponge? 
invite a bunch of really large people over for a pool party 
How soon are you moving??
I always see water trucks in the spring with
the words 'Pool Water' on their sides, running
around to fill up area pools....maybe you could
contact them and have them take it off your
hands ???
I always see water trucks in the spring with
the words 'Pool Water' on their sides, running
around to fill up area pools....maybe you could
contact them and have them take it off your
hands ???
Thanks for the advice!
18,000 gallons! Wooooooo... that's a lot. It is a big pool.
I've been thinking about draining it into my own kitchen sink, so it goes out through our sewer (we have public sewer). My hubby thinks it'll be expensive, but to me it's worth it if I don't have to upset my new neighbors.
Does that sound like it might work?
18,000 gallons! Wooooooo... that's a lot. It is a big pool.
I've been thinking about draining it into my own kitchen sink, so it goes out through our sewer (we have public sewer). My hubby thinks it'll be expensive, but to me it's worth it if I don't have to upset my new neighbors.
Does that sound like it might work?
QUOTE (Yossarian @ Mar 3 2004, 09:40 PM)
Whoops, almost forgot... if you drain into the yard, make sure the chlorine content is not too high. Chlorine will kill the grass and shrubbery.
Call MDE (Maryland Department of the Environment). Chances are if you drain it into the yard, they'll slap you with a big ole fine. But they ought to have an answer if they won't let you just dump it on the ground.
Public sewer service may disallow it as well, but they may never catch you. It may not cost you anything, because sewer charges are usually based on readings of water usage. Your discharge probably isn't metered.
If you'd rather do the right, legal, and moral thing, then I like the septic cleanout, pool water company, and fire department ideas. Also check with any pool service company. They ought to know.
I REALLY think you should call around to different Fire Stations and see if they'll take the water for their tankers.Then maybe call the water delivery trucks.
Also,you should see if you can get enough hose to maybe drain it into the storm drains.Is getting rid of the pool part of the deal with selling the house? If not maybe you should see if the buyers are interrested in buying it.
Hope you get it resolved.
Also,you should see if you can get enough hose to maybe drain it into the storm drains.Is getting rid of the pool part of the deal with selling the house? If not maybe you should see if the buyers are interrested in buying it.
Hope you get it resolved.
I called four different pool supply companies (1 in PA, 3 in MD) and they all said the same thing: Drain it into your yard.
In fact, one woman treated me like a complete idiot for even asking the question.
I do like the fire truck idea, though. Worth a shot, at least.
We're buying the house, and the pool comes with it. The sellers left it behind. But we don't want it, so we're going to drain & sell it.
In fact, one woman treated me like a complete idiot for even asking the question.
I do like the fire truck idea, though. Worth a shot, at least.
We're buying the house, and the pool comes with it. The sellers left it behind. But we don't want it, so we're going to drain & sell it.
Oh,please hun! Don't have to tell me about those pool store people!!
I'd call more than one Fire Station too. I know that when we fill out our fire tax paper they ask if theres a pool and how much water it holds cuz we're all rural out here!
If you could actually wait untill pool season then maybe the pool water delivery trucks would be interested. It should be o.k. till then if the other people winterized it like they was supposed to. Then you'd probably be able to sell it at that time too.Sure does sound like a biggun!! But I'm attatched to my 24fter.Only13,500 gal.
I'd call more than one Fire Station too. I know that when we fill out our fire tax paper they ask if theres a pool and how much water it holds cuz we're all rural out here!
If you could actually wait untill pool season then maybe the pool water delivery trucks would be interested. It should be o.k. till then if the other people winterized it like they was supposed to. Then you'd probably be able to sell it at that time too.Sure does sound like a biggun!! But I'm attatched to my 24fter.Only13,500 gal.
Helpful hint.. don't drain it until you have it sold with out water the liner will shrink and will not be reuseable. I found that out the hard way
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