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Should the hydrostatic valve be left open when it is raining?
A "relief valve" can only be accessed when the pool is empty, and no swimming pool should ever be left empty. The only exception is when absolutely necessary due to repair or resurfacing, and that should be completed within the shortest possible time. Any pool that is empty, and that has a relief valve, should have the valve removed for the entire time, regardless of the weather forecast. A "hydrostatic" relief valve opens and closes when needed as it attempts to equalize the pool water pressure with the ground water pressure. Human intervention is not involved because the pool is still filled. Hydrostatic valves are great in theory, but seldom work after a few years.
Does the pool main drain-hydrostatic valve need to be connected to the skimmer box?
the hydrostatic valve is only to equalize pressure of ground water to that of the pool the only time it does anything is when the water table becomes higher in the ground water than in the swimming pool . it doesn't connect to anything. it is simply to keep the pool shell from floating out of the ground
Can you leave an inground pool swimming with concrete bottom and stainless steel sides with a hydrostatic valve empty over the winter?
Theoreticaly Yes
Whats the purpose of a hydrostatic valve on a swimming pool?
It is used to allow rising ground water into the bottom of a pool to stop boyancy , which could potentially lift the entire pool like a boat.
If you were to drain your pool for winterization would it damage it even if there is a hydrostatic valve?
I would NOT recommend leaving the pool drained all winter. If water froze in your hydrostatic relief pipes it could be the same as leaving them plugged. Further, moisture in the ground under the pool shell could freeze, expand, and "heave" the pool.
Where is the hydrostatic drain valve?
The Hydrostatic valve is usually on the lowest part of the pools floor. The hydrostatic valve is there to protect the pool from being lifted by ground water in the event that it is empty. it allows the ground water under the pool to get into the pool thereby stopping it from floating out of the ground on top of the ground water.
Indoor pools can they have hydrostatic valve and can it break?
Any pool can have a hydrostatic valve and nothing has been made that cannot be broken eventually.
How does a hydrostatic valve work?
A Hydrostatic valve is basically a plug that stop water coming down out of the pool, but when the water pressure under the pool gets higher then the pressure in the pool it will let water into the pool from underneath in order to stop the pool from floating in ground water.
What is the purpose of the hydrostatic valve and how do you release the pressure in it and does this valve need cleaning or other regular maintenance?
A hydrostatic relief valve prevents your swimming pool from wanting to become a 'boat'. If the bottom of the pool is below the level of ground-water, and the pool is emptied, the pool would want to float in the underground water. I have actually seen the deep end of a 40ft gunite pool (with no hydrostatic valve) rise out of the ground (by 18") when the pool was emptied for repairs. A hydrosatic valve would have opened (and allowed the underground water to flow into the pool) when the water pressure beneath the pool became greater than the water pressure in the pool. I am not sure if you can manually test the valve, so check with the supplier/pool builder. A hydrostatic relief valve is located in the deepest part of your pool. It may be under the maindrain cover or in its own little box on the bottom of the pool. The purpose of the hydrostatic relief valve is to relieve a build up of pressure if it occurs from underneath the pool. If the water were to be removed with a high water table then the pool may float up out of the graound like a barge. You then have a big problem on your hands. The fhydrostatic relief valve will open allowing the ground water to enter the pool to keep the equalibrium and to relieve built up pressure from underneath the pool. The valve typically does not need any maintenance. However, if the vavle has opened then there is a chance that a tiny particle could get stuck in the seal when the valve closes again. The tiniest particle (which may not even be seen) could allow water to seep out of the pool into the ground. There's a lot of water in the pool and each gallon of water weighs 8.33 pound. A typical residential pool of 20,000 gallons holds water weighing about 166,600 pounds. A commercial pool of approximately 120,000 gallons has water weighing approx. 1 million pounds. Removal of this much weight obviously changes a lot of things. You need to be very careful removing water from a pool. Things to be concerned about are high water table, underground springs, rainy weather, hills behind the pool. Please write if there are any other questions. Steve Dunn Certified Pool Instructor Consultant & equipment distributor Commercial Pool Systems, Inc. FURTHER ANSWER When you find your pool losing water and don't see any obvious place, it may be the hydrostatic valve has lifted and then not seated properly. The valve needs to be flushed by being lifted momentarily. I have done this by donning a mask and with fins and weights swum down, removed the grate, and lifted the valve by hand. If you have never seen such a valve find one in a swimming pool store and see how it works. Also, be sure there is not a lot of trash in the fixture near the valve or again it may not seat. Best to do this with the pump off if the valve is in the drain box or you may get caught by the suction. This can lead to serious death! Paul Delage
I was told that my 30 year old pool was installed without a hydrostatic valve Can a hydrostatic valve be now installed with the pool full or must it be emptied?
I'm not sure if it can be installed after a pool has been installed, try contacting a company who makes these hydrostatic valves and see if it can be done. good luck.
How do you locate the leak on an easy set swimming pool when empty?
If the ground on the outside of the pool is is reasonably wet you may find that water will seep into the pool where it leaks. Be careful with an empty pool ground water can make them float up and out of position if you do not have a hydrostatic valve in the bottom.
I want to drain a pool to work on the re-plaster how long can I leave the pool empty?
For as long as you like just make sure that the pool has a hydrostatic valve or some other means to stop it from floating out of the ground if it starts raining or the water table underneath it rises. In gunite and concrete pools, the hydrostatic relief valve is located in the bottom drain. Sump or ShopVac the remaining water covering the drain, take out the screws, and remove the cover. Again, using a ShopVac, remove the water just beneath the cover and look inside the drain. There are two possibilities: 1) a relief valve that can be unscrewed and removed, or 2) a second pipe that doesn't point toward your pump and filter. Inside this pipe is a hydrostatic relief valve that probably won't open because of sand or dirt clogging it. Using the handle of a short screwdriver, tap the valve inside the pipe (you may not see it, but it is there) several times until water comes into the pool. There may also be hydrostatic relief valves near the bottom of the steep slope that can be removed. Good luck. -Bill
