Skip to content
VillaPool

—Renovation and tiling

Draining a pool for renovation

An empty pool is not just a pool without water. Groundwater and sun can damage a shell that is left empty without planning.

Most renovations need the pool drained. In areas with high groundwater, an empty pool can be pushed upward by water pressure from below — hydrostatic pressure — which can crack or lift the shell. Some pools have relief valves in the floor to relieve this pressure; others need groundwater managed during the works.

Renovation guides cover work on a pool that already exists: its surface, its waterproofing and sometimes its structure.

An empty shell in direct sun heats up and can stress tiles and finishes. Drained water must be disposed of appropriately, often to the drainage system rather than gardens or roads. Planning includes how long the pool will be empty, how groundwater will be monitored and how the pool will be refilled.

01Summary

What matters most here

  • Groundwater pressure

    Can lift an empty pool.

  • Sun on an empty shell

    Stresses finishes.

  • Dispose of water properly

    Into suitable drainage.

02Detail

Planning the drain

  • Groundwater check

    Whether the water table is high.

  • Relief valves

    Opened where fitted to relieve pressure.

  • Timing

    Keeping the empty period as short as practical.

  • Disposal

    Discharging to suitable drains.

03Before you start

Before draining

  • Ask about groundwater

    For your area and pool.

  • Agree the empty period

    And protection from sun.

  • Check disposal rules

    With the community.

—In practice

How to use this

Before draining, ask whether groundwater could be high on your site and whether the pool has a relief valve or needs groundwater managed during the works. Plan where the water will go, drain only when the team is ready to start, and keep the empty period as short as possible. Protect the empty shell from strong sun and make it safe against falls.

Mistakes worth avoiding

Draining early, then waiting
An empty pool exposed for weeks risks damage from sun and ground pressure. Drain only when the work is ready to begin.
Ignoring groundwater
Water pressure under an empty shell can lift or crack it. Groundwater is assessed before draining, not after a problem appears.

04FAQ

Common questions about this

Can an empty pool really lift?
Where groundwater is high, yes; it is a known risk.
Should I drain my pool myself?
Not without understanding groundwater and disposal.
Where does the water go?
Usually to suitable drainage, following local rules.
How long can a pool stay empty?
As short as practical; planning reduces risk.

05Read next

More pool guides on this

Filed under pool renovation & tile replacement. Every pool guide is listed on the pool guides page.

—NEXT

Need to drain for works?

Tell us your location and pool. We will explain how to plan it.

Describe your pool+971 56 181 0106WhatsAppPool Renovation & Tile Replacement