Get matched with top pool table assembly pros in Napavine, WA

It’s fair to be concerned about handling pool lights or wiring in a pool filled with water. But fortunately, pool lights and swimming pools are designed to make it easy and safe to replace the lights without needing to drain the water. Instead, you can turn off the electricity to the pool as a safety precaution, unscrew the pool fixture, pull it up and out to the side of the pool, then change the bulb.

It can take anywhere from 12 to 24 hours to fill the average pool with water—and that’s if you use a couple of garden hoses. A water delivery service can fill your pool in one to three hours. Some services even pre-treat the water so it’s swim-ready as soon as it’s filled.

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.

When you’re winterizing your pool, you need to drain some of the water to prevent cracking and warping from ice. Nonetheless, you should never drain all of the water. Ideally, you’ll lower the water level to anywhere from four to six inches below the skimmer. This will protect the structural integrity of the walls, help prevent your pool liner from warping, and reduce damage from debris.