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If you put too much baking soda in your pool, your alkalinity will rise. That means you’ll need to take steps to lower your alkalinity. You can either add more water (which will require more chemicals because they’ll be diluted), wait for the alkalinity to lower naturally, or use a chemical like muriatic acid to lower it. 

Generally, you do not need to drain your pool to convert it to a saltwater system. The main exception is if you have used an antibacterial agent containing polyhexamethylene biguanide to sanitize your pool, as these sanitation products do not mix well with saltwater systems. If this is the case, you will need to start fresh. You can either drain the pool or treat the existing water with a high dose of chlorine to remove the antibacterial agent. If you choose the chlorine treatment, wait several days to allow the chlorine to work before proceeding with the conversion. If you are unsure whether this applies to your pool, consult a pool technician.

The life expectancy of a gunite pool is about 100 years or more with proper care. Clean your pool at least once a week and plan to resurface it every five to seven years. For winter, close down the gunite pool but don’t drain it. And you can increase your gunite pool’s longevity by repairing any damage and addressing any issues as soon as you notice them.

While you should avoid draining an above ground pool on a regular basis, it may be necessary if you are experiencing common signs of major pool problems. When you fully drain your pool, do so slowly with the proper equipment and always avoid draining on a very hot day. In many cases, the pool liner and equipment depend on the cooling effect of the water.