Protect Your Foundation: Use Caution When Emptying Above-Ground Pool

Photo by Raphaël Biscaldi on Unsplash

Here’s a quick fact: The average 24’ x 54” above-ground pool holds approximately 15,000 gallons of water. Let’s stow that information for a second and talk about what causes foundation problems: Soil. Specifically, unstable soil.

Why Soil Becomes Unstable

Your home is resting on many different layers of soil, each with different properties, including type, moisture content, and looseness or compactness. Soil layers develop over time, beginning with the Earth’s initial formation. Some were carried there and deposited by water, wind, or glaciers. Today, soil layers are often formed deliberately when developers and builders remove soil from hills and put it into valleys to create flat building sites. 

Whether made by humans or by nature, over time soil can become unstable and cause a structure built on it to settle and sink. Drought can cause the soil to shrink and voids to form. Poorly compacted fill soil can compress. Lastly, large amounts of moisture – think about the 15,000 gallons of water we mentioned earlier – can cause soil to soften. 

When You Have to Drain Your Above-Ground Pool

Your above-ground pool is designed to have water in it year-round, but there are times when you will need to drain it, either to address an issue or simply to refresh the water. Most manufacturers recommend changing pool water every three to five years.

You might think you could simply open a valve and let the water drain into your yard. But beware: If you do that, the sudden influx of thousands of gallons of water could cause the soil around and under your home to soften, resulting in serious foundation problems. Your home’s foundation could sink, causing the entire structure to become untrue, which can lead to issues like sloping floors, sticking doors and windows, and gapping ceilings. 

If you have a basement surrounded by clay soils that expand when wet, the excess water could create pressure on your foundation walls and cause them to crack, bow, or even shear. In the worst case, you might even experience wall failure, necessitating costly and disruptive repairs.

Draining Your Pool the Right Way

If you need to drain your pool, it’s a good idea to seek advice from a professional. Typically, they’ll have you run a hose from your pool to a sewer, so the water drains straight into the city’s sewage system. Some municipalities will allow you to drain your pool into the street, but you should call first to make sure. Most importantly, you should direct the water away from your home, so it doesn’t destabilize the soil. 

If you’re concerned about your home’s foundation – maybe your pool is leaking or there was a recent spate of torrential rain – call a local foundation repair company like Ayers Basement Systems. They can inspect your home at no cost and determine if the foundation is on solid ground.