What is the best way to shut off an in-ground, chemical, fiberglass swimming pool?

Question

I can't afford to maintain my pool. Some of my neighbours have had to do this, but they have other kinds of pools. I was told I cannot empty the pool because empty fiberglass pools "pop" up from the ground, which will be extremely costly to repair. Can I just switch it off and stop adding the increasingly costly chemicals? This wouldn't be permanent, just for a few months during a bad economic period.

Thanks!

Answer 1

Your best bet if you are not going to be maintaining the pool for several months would be to follow the procedures you use when you winterize it and put the winter cover on the pool.  By winterizing it, you will generally pump up the chlorine level and by placing the winter cover on it, you will cut down on the evaporation of the water (and chemicals) which will help to keep the pool fairly sanitary so that it does not turn into a swamp.

Answer 2

check your owners manual

Answer 3

If you stop running the pool (min. 6 hrs. a day),

you will have a health hazard in the yard.

It will become a mosquito breeding ground.

Even if you put a solid "winter" type cover over it, things can & will get into the pool & cause decay.

The winter style cover is still your best solution.

ALL types of inground pools can "pop up" if drained completly, not just fiberglass.

Your neighbors may be in for a shock when

theirs pops out!