Sump well - how often should you drain?

[poolnoobmaster]

Recent FG pool construction in Houston, TX. When the pool was initially set, we had several days of heavy rain that caused the pool to float up on one end. The builder has installed a sump well - 10" diameter tube that extends down into the ground, near the deep end side of the pool. I have purchased a sump pump and basically left it in there while the rest of the pool coping and hardscape was being completed. During that time we have had dry days and wet days. But even after a length of consecutive dry days (2 weeks), there still is water that gets pumped out of the sump well. The water level of the pool seems consistent. Is that normal to have ground water ever present in the well? We do have clay type soil in our backyard.
How often should I be pumping the water out of the well? I've been paranoid about the pool coming out of the ground again. But at the same time should I be running to pump the water out after every rain spell? How do people handle the situation when they need to leave out of town and there is rain in the forecast? Leave the pump in the well?

 

[YippeeSkippy]

I've never once noticed water in my well. Of course my pool was built on a newly made hill. I would drain it any time I saw water down there. You're on swamp land in Houston so you need to pay attention. Once the pool is built and filled with heavy water it should be ok.

What did your PB do about the pool lifting? Did he reposition it?

 

[gingrbredman]

I have a sump pump in my well for my FG pool that was installed so I could hide the wiring and discharge line. It acts like a house sump pump, always ready to pump water out when the water line gets too high. Surprising, my new pool was installed higher than the original grade, but gets ground water in it more regularly that I thought and can hear it discharging.

Water building up under a FG shell is no good so I always keep an eye on the well when I do my testing and routine cleaning of the skimmers and pool area.

 

[poolnoobmaster]

I've never once noticed water in my well. Of course my pool was built on a newly made hill. I would drain it any time I saw water down there. You're on swamp land in Houston so you need to pay attention. Once the pool is built and filled with heavy water it should be ok.

What did your PB do about the pool lifting? Did he reposition it?

Oh yes, they had to reset the pool, crane and everything. When they did again, they wound up cracking corners of my driveway from the crane. Not a great experience

So do most people just drain it once a week? Am I overthinking this?

 

[borjis]

Does it not have a float switch to pump out water when it reached a certain height? That's what I'd want if I had to have one.

 

[poolnoobmaster]

This is the pump I have: (https://www.lowes.com/pd/Zoeller-0-...V8ZFbCh1GTQOYEAQYASABEgKTAPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds). It have does have an internal sensor that detects water level to a certain height, not a traditional float setup - this one seems to be internal.
I dont have an electrical source near by, so there is a long extension cord to power it. It just looks unsightly to me, not to mention a hassle to drag the setup and stick it in the well.
My pool builder said to check it every 2 weeks or so and drain if necessary. He also stated that once the concrete surround is in and the pool filled, there shouldn't be an issue.
As long as the water in the sump well is below the water in the pool, everything *should* go ok, correct?

 

[YippeeSkippy]

Mine doesn't have a pump in it. The PB just said if water appears drop a pump down. Water has never appeared. When I look down the large opening all I see is the rocks they used for the base and filler of the pool. As I understand it the well is slightly deeper than my pool and is actually in the same rock base.

 

[gingrbredman]

I imagine someone with a FG shell and a high water table, checking the pit once a week and dropping the pump down as needed would become a routine. Just like water testing, cleaning skimmers, etc. But if the builder is confident the water will go away once everything is set, you may just be peaking once a week to be sure.

 

[bmoreswim]

Or you make the investment to automate and get the setup that Gingr has. Money spent or time checking it seem to be the options. I think what you are hearing it that its normal to regularly check the well pit and you are on the right track.

 

[gingrbredman]

So glad my PB installs all their pits the same way. Wired up and plumbed so it all works right and is un-seen. I was going to ask for that, but my PB just does it this way. Cords all out of the way, discharge line ran to the sewer, and pumps when it needs to. I always check it like I do my home sump, but that peace of mind is worth it for sure.

 

[poolnoobmaster]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I think I will have to add it as a regular 1x/week maintenance job, and maybe keep it in there if there is a bad rain or flood event on its way.