How long can a pool be left without water without deteriorating?

Summer is over, the cold has arrived, and once again the question comes up: should we drain our pool or not? How long can I leave it like that? If you’re asking this, you probably haven’t yet made the mistake of draining it completely—otherwise you would have caused a real disaster. At Innowater, specialists in salt electrolysis, we explain what you need to know about draining pool water.

“In autumn and winter I’m not going to use my pool. I haven’t installed a cover yet, and the water is too cold to swim. I’ve thought it’s best this year to leave it without water—nothing will happen anyway…”. If you’re new to pool maintenance, it’s normal to think this way and opt to completely drain your pool. Big mistake!

It is not at all advisable to keep pools empty for too long, as they can become a serious problem. On the one hand, if your pool is not waterproofed—which is more common than you might think—exposing the concrete to the air will cause it to dry out. On the other hand, temperature fluctuations will eventually crack the shell and make it unusable. Water acts as a buffer, preventing the pool structure from deteriorating, which is why it’s recommended to always leave a little water in it.

If you need to repair it or carry out a deeper cleaning of the shell, it’s normal to decide to leave your pool without water. However, an outdoor pool cannot be left empty for more than a month, because as you know it would start to deteriorate. Also, to make sure it stays in perfect condition, we recommend covering it with a protective tarp when you’re not doing these maintenance tasks.

Having salt electrolysis systems like Innowater’s will allow you to keep your pool clean for longer. Our salt chlorinators operate at full performance all year round, so there’s no need to replace the water for years. This way, you’ll help protect the environment by avoiding water waste, and you’ll save on pool maintenance.

Discover more benefits of salt electrolysis!