Optimal levels of pool water are essential for a smooth swimming experience and to maintain the condition of your pool equipment. Check out these answers to the most critical questions about how to keep your water level good.
How high should the water level be in a pool?
The water level of your pool should always be halfway up to the skimmer plate. That's about it. There is no need for complex calculations or taking measurements for it. Just glance at your skimmer every time you walk past your pool, and ensure the water level is right in the middle.
What happens if the pool water level is too high?
A high pool water level means that your skimmer is completely submerged under the water. That can happen for reasons like after a rainstorm or opening the pool and filling it without monitoring.
The skimmer's job is to filter out all the debris floating in the water and collect it into the skimmer basket. If the water level is too high, the skimmer won't be able to remove the debris, resulting in a dirty pool with water imbalance and the untimely need to add pool chemicals. Not to mention that all of this can be hectic and time-consuming.
What happens if the pool water level is too low?
Low pool water levels can result from three leading causes:
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You did not refill properly after draining the pool.
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Evaporation due to the sun in summer.
- Leakage in the pool walls or plumbing.
If the water levels dip too low (below the skimmer), your pool pump will start sucking inair. Since water pumps are not designed to circulate air, the pool pump will overheat, which can result in catastrophic failures. It will be an expensive repair requiring a lot of time and effort.
Quick Tip: One must always maintain proper water levels in an inflatable pool or else the liner can shrink and the pool can lose its shape.
How to lower the pool water level?
Lowering the water level of your pool is as simple as draining your pool the right way. Here are a few methods to remove excess pool water:
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Using the multiport valve to pump water to waste.
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A submersible pump to pull out excess water.
- Siphoning water from the pool.
How to raise the pool water level?
Raising the water level is as easy as turning on your garden hose and pointing it inside the pool. However, there are a few aspects you must be aware of:
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Never use a dirty garden hose with mold or slime buildup to fill a pool. It will introduce microorganisms into the water, putting an extra load on your filter and pool chemicals.
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Try to use water with low calcium hardness,TDS levels, and make sure there aren't any metals If there are metals in the fill water then be sure to use a metal remover to prevent staining.
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If you have drained your pool, refill it the same day to prevent damaging the walls or plaster.
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Keep an eye on the water levels when filling the pool, especially when the waterline nears the base of the skimmer to avoid overfilling.
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Test the water and balance with appropriate pool chemicals after filling.
- Evaluate how much it costs to fill up your pool. Draining and often refilling without knowing this can incur high costs in the long run.
Conclusion
A pool should always have the waterline touching halfway through the skimmer. Pool water levels can fluctuate due to evaporation, leaks, and careless refilling. While reducing the water level requires a little more effort and using the appropriate technique, increasing it only needs refilling with a clean garden hose and balancing the water afterward.