Pool Popping Out Of Ground: What Every Owner Needs To Know Right Now

Adam Koss 18 Jul 2025

Imagine this: you step outside, perhaps on a sunny afternoon, ready to enjoy your backyard oasis, and something just feels off. You look at your beautiful swimming spot, and it's not quite where it should be. It looks like your pool is popping out of ground, or maybe it has already shifted significantly. This sight can bring a feeling of dread, a real concern for any pool owner, and it's a situation that truly needs attention. This kind of event, where a pool lifts or shifts from its spot in the earth, is a big deal, and it happens more often than you might think, especially after heavy rains or when a pool is emptied without the right precautions.

So, you might be wondering, what exactly causes a pool to move like this? It's a question that many pool owners face, and it really comes down to some powerful forces at play beneath the surface. We're talking about things like water pressure and the very ground your pool rests on, which can both create quite a push. Understanding these forces helps you get a grip on why your pool might be acting up and, more importantly, how to stop it from happening.

This article is here to help you understand why a pool might start popping out of ground, how you can spot the warning signs, and what steps you can take to keep your pool safely in its place. We'll talk about prevention, and what to do if you find yourself facing this kind of challenge. It's about keeping your swimming area secure and ready for fun, not a source of worry, you know?

What Causes a Pool to Pop Out of the Ground?
Signs Your Pool Might Be in Trouble
- Cracks and Shifts
- Unevenness
How to Prevent Your Pool From Popping Up
What to Do If Your Pool Starts to Pop
- Immediate Steps
- Calling the Experts
Common Questions About Pools and Popping Out

What Causes a Pool to Pop Out of the Ground?

The idea of a large structure like a pool moving from its spot can seem a bit strange, but there are some clear reasons why this happens. It's all about physics, really, and the way water behaves around things in the ground. You see, the ground itself can hold a lot of water, and that water can exert a pretty strong push, so.

The Force of Water Underneath

When the ground around your pool gets saturated with water, say after a very heavy rain or from a high water table, that water starts to press on the outside of your pool walls. This is often called hydrostatic pressure. It's like a boat in water; the water pushes up on the boat. Similarly, water in the ground pushes up on the pool structure. If the force of the water pushing up is greater than the weight of the pool itself, the pool can literally float or lift. This is a big reason why a pool ends up popping out of ground, or at least moving a little.

This pressure can build up quite a bit, especially if there isn't a good way for the water to drain away from the pool's base. You might have heard about drainage systems around pools, and they are there for this very reason. Without them, the water has nowhere to go, and the pressure just keeps on growing. It's a bit like a balloon filling with water, you know?

When a Pool is Drained

This is a particularly risky time for a pool. When you empty your pool, you take away its weight. A pool full of water is incredibly heavy, and that weight helps to hold it down against any upward push from groundwater. When that weight is gone, the pool becomes much lighter. If there's water in the ground outside the pool, that hydrostatic pressure suddenly has a much easier time pushing the empty, lighter pool upwards. This is why many pool owners are advised to be very careful when draining their pools, especially if the ground is wet. It's a common scenario where a pool ends up popping out of ground, unfortunately.

You really have to consider the conditions of the soil around your pool before you ever think about completely draining it. If the ground is soggy or if you know your area has a high water table, draining your pool completely can be a very bad idea. It's a situation where a little bit of caution can save you from a lot of trouble later, more or less.

Soil and Ground Conditions

The type of soil your pool is built in also plays a part. Some soils, like clay, hold onto water for a long time and don't drain well. This means that hydrostatic pressure can build up more easily and stay high for longer periods. Sandy soils, on the other hand, usually allow water to pass through more quickly, which can reduce the risk. But even with sandy soil, if there's enough water, pressure can still become an issue. So, knowing your soil type is actually pretty helpful.

Poor backfill around the pool structure can also cause issues. If the material used to fill in the space around your pool after it was put in place isn't right, or if it wasn't packed down properly, it can create voids or areas where water can collect. These water pockets can then exert uneven pressure on the pool walls, which might lead to parts of the pool popping out of ground or shifting. It's a detail that often gets overlooked, but it's important, you know?

Signs Your Pool Might Be in Trouble

Catching problems early is always a good idea. When it comes to your pool, there are some visual cues that can tell you something is amiss. These signs suggest that your pool might be under pressure or starting to move. Keeping an eye out for these can help you act before a full-blown "pool popping out of ground" situation occurs.

Cracks and Shifts

Look for new cracks in the pool shell or on the surrounding deck. Small hairline cracks might just be normal wear and tear, but larger, spreading cracks, especially those that run vertically or horizontally across the pool walls, could mean something more serious is happening. Also, pay attention to the coping, which is the cap around the edge of your pool. If the coping starts to separate from the deck or from the pool wall, that's a pretty strong indicator of movement. These shifts are a clear signal that the pool structure is experiencing stress, basically.

Sometimes, you might also notice that the expansion joints in your deck are wider than they used to be, or that the deck itself is lifting or sinking in certain areas around the pool. These are all signs that the ground underneath is moving, and that movement can certainly affect your pool. It's like the whole area is just a little bit unsettled, perhaps.

Unevenness

Another thing to watch for is if the water level in your pool appears uneven when it's supposed to be level. If one side of the pool seems to have less water depth than the other, assuming your pool was built level to begin with, this could mean the pool structure itself has tilted. This kind of tilting is a direct sign that the pool is shifting or lifting from one side. It's a subtle sign, but a very telling one, you know?

Also, check the alignment of your pool equipment, like your skimmer or return jets. If they seem to be at an odd angle or no longer line up correctly with other parts of the pool system, it could mean the pool wall they are attached to has moved. These small misalignments can actually point to bigger issues happening underground, so it's worth checking them out, seriously.

How to Prevent Your Pool From Popping Up

Prevention is always better than trying to fix a big problem. There are some very practical steps you can take to make sure your pool stays put and doesn't end up popping out of ground. These steps usually involve managing water around and under your pool, which is pretty key.

Proper Drainage Systems

One of the most important things you can do is make sure you have a good drainage system around your pool. For concrete pools, for example, it's often recommended to put perforated rigid pipe around the base. You then backfill this with clean gravel. This setup helps to collect any groundwater that builds up and directs it away, usually to a sump pit where it can be pumped out. This kind of system helps relieve that hydrostatic pressure we talked about earlier. It's a pretty effective way to keep water from pushing up on your pool, you know?

If you don't have a system like this, or if yours isn't working well, it might be worth looking into. A well-designed drainage system can make a huge difference in protecting your pool from ground water forces. It's like having a safety valve for your pool's foundation, in a way.

Careful Draining Practices

As we mentioned, draining your pool can be a risky business. If you absolutely must drain your pool, do it very carefully. Never drain it completely if the ground is wet or if you know your area has a high water table. If you need to do repairs that require an empty pool, consider draining it only a little bit at a time, allowing the ground to dry out in between. You might even want to consult with a pool professional before you start, just to be safe. They can give you advice tailored to your specific situation and local conditions. It's always better to be cautious than to face a pool popping out of ground, honestly.

Some pools have hydrostatic relief valves in their main drain. These valves are designed to open when the pressure underneath the pool gets too high, allowing groundwater to enter the pool rather than pushing it up. If your pool has these, make sure they are working correctly. It's a small detail that can make a big difference, really.

Maintaining Water Levels

For the most part, keeping your pool full of water is the best defense against it popping out of ground. The weight of the water inside the pool acts as a counter-force to any upward pressure from groundwater. So, avoid leaving your pool empty for long periods, especially during rainy seasons or when the ground is naturally wet. This seems obvious, but it's often overlooked. It's a simple, yet very effective, preventative measure, basically.

Also, make sure your pool's water chemistry is good. While it doesn't directly prevent a pool from popping out of ground, keeping your water clear and sanitary means you won't have to drain it as often for algae problems or other issues. As Pool School teaches, managing your cyanuric acid and free chlorine levels is key to stabilizing your pool water. If your free chlorine level is determined by your CYA, and maintaining an appropriate FC level is the most important part of keeping your water clear, you'll avoid many reasons to drain. You know, like when people spot algae growth and quickly turn to algaecide, sometimes that's not the first step. Proper chemistry helps you avoid those situations that might make you think about draining your pool unnecessarily, you see.

What to Do If Your Pool Starts to Pop

If you notice your pool is already starting to shift or lift, it's a serious situation that needs quick action. This isn't something to put off, as delays can lead to much bigger problems and more costly repairs. It's a time for decisive steps, you know?

Immediate Steps

The very first thing you should do is stop any draining process immediately if the pool is being emptied. If the pool is full, and you suspect it's moving, you might consider adding more water to increase its weight, but only if you are sure it won't cause more damage or overflow issues. However, if the pool is already significantly damaged, adding more water could make things worse. This is a tricky spot, so acting carefully is key. You might also want to shut off any automatic fillers to prevent overfilling, just in case.

Do not try to force the pool back into place or attempt any major DIY repairs. This can cause further damage to the structure or to your plumbing. Your focus should be on preventing further movement and getting expert help. It's a situation where you really need to pause and think, apparently.

Calling the Experts

This is where professional help becomes absolutely essential. You need to contact a qualified pool repair company or a structural engineer who has experience with pools and hydrostatic pressure issues. They can assess the extent of the damage, figure out why your pool is popping out of ground, and recommend the best course of action. They have the tools and the knowledge to handle this kind of complex problem safely and effectively. It's not a job for someone without specific experience, really.

The experts might need to do things like install new drainage systems, repair structural damage, or even re-level the pool. They can also advise you on how to manage your pool's water levels in the future to prevent a repeat of the problem. Getting professional advice is the smartest move you can make in this situation. For more about pool systems, you can learn about heater bypass systems for pools, which, while different, shows how specialized pool knowledge can be.

Common Questions About Pools and Popping Out

Many pool owners have similar questions when they hear about or experience a pool popping out of ground. Let's go over some of the most common ones, so you feel a bit more informed, you know?

Why would a pool pop out of the ground?

A pool pops out of the ground mainly because of what's called hydrostatic pressure. This happens when groundwater, perhaps from heavy rain or a high water table, builds up around the outside of the pool walls. This water pushes upwards on the pool structure. If the pool is empty or not heavy enough with its own water, that upward push can overcome the pool's weight, causing it to lift or shift. It's a bit like a beach ball trying to float to the surface in a bucket of water, basically.

How can you prevent a pool from popping out of the ground?

Preventing a pool from popping out of the ground involves a few key practices. First, ensure you have a good drainage system around your pool to manage groundwater. This might include perforated pipes and gravel backfill to direct water away. Second, be very careful when draining your pool; avoid emptying it completely, especially if the ground is wet. The weight of the water inside the pool helps keep it in place. Lastly, try to keep your pool full of water most of the time, as its weight is your best defense against hydrostatic pressure. It's about being prepared, you know?

What should you do if your pool pops out of the ground?

If your pool starts to pop out of the ground, the most important thing is to act quickly and call in the professionals. Stop any draining immediately if that's what you were doing. Do not try to push the pool back into place or attempt major repairs yourself. Contact a qualified pool repair company or a structural engineer who understands these issues. They can assess the damage, figure out the cause, and guide you on the safest and most effective way to fix the problem. It's a situation that truly needs expert attention, you see.

Dealing with a pool popping out of ground can certainly be a stressful experience for any pool owner. But by understanding why it happens and knowing what steps to take, you can either prevent it from occurring or respond effectively if it does. Remember, the forces of nature are powerful, and your pool's stability depends on managing the water both inside and outside its structure. Keeping an eye on your pool's surroundings and its overall condition is a smart move for long-term enjoyment. For more help with your pool's overall well-being, you can discover the pool calculator behind the perfect pool, Poolmath, which is something many pool owners find useful. This tool helps you keep your water chemistry dialed in, which, in turn, can help you avoid situations that might lead to draining your pool unnecessarily. It's about being proactive with your pool care, you know? Keeping your pool healthy means less worry for you, and more time enjoying your backyard oasis, which is really what it's all about.

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