What is a pool hydrostatic relief valve?
3 min read
Asked by: Dana Kraus
A hydrostatic relief valve (HRV) is a check valve that is installed into the floor of a swimming pool in the main drain. The function of the HRV is to allow the ground water table surrounding the pool to equalize with the pool water.
How does a hydrostatic relief valve work in a pool?
Also known as a Hydro-valve it prevents ground-water pressure from raising the pool or causing movement. The hydrostatic valve prevents this by allowing ground-water from your surrounding yard to flow into the pool and relieve the pressure on the pool structure.
Do I need a hydrostatic valve in my pool?
Without a hydrostatic valve to relieve the pressure, the pool can be moved or uplifted out of the ground damaging the pool structure and plumbing. The movement usually only happens when the pool is empty.
Why install a hydrostatic relief valve?
A hydrostatic valve keeps the pool from “floating.” A hydrostatic relief valve is typically installed in the deepest end of an in-ground swimming pool to relieve ground water pressure when the pool is emptied. A typical residential pool holds 20,000 gallons of water and provides over 150,000 pounds of force.
How do I open the hydrostatic valve on my pool?
In order to access your hydrostatic valve you will need to remove the main drain lid. In order to reveal the hydrostatic valve that is inside.
Can a pool leak through a hydrostatic valve?
The skimmer boxes, the return fittings, the main drain assembly, or any fittings that attach to the underground plumbing on the other side of the pool wall. Lights. Hydrostatic valves. All of these can leak.
What is the plug at the bottom of my pool?
hydrostatic relief plugs
They are called hydrostatic relief plugs or hydrostats, for short. Hydrostat plugs are usually plastered in place, but beneath the plaster, they thread into a piece of slotted pipe that runs through the floor of the pool. Below the floor, this pipe terminates into a gravel pit beneath the pool.
How does a pool relief valve work?
A stem from the valve protrudes into the gravel or ground beneath the pool. The valve opens to release pressure when the groundwater moves up through the stem.
Do vinyl pools have hydrostatic valves?
Main drain or vinyl pool manger and they all just came with a hydrostatic relief valve.
Where does water go when pool leaks?
The pressurized plumbing system pumps water back to the pool after it has passed through the filter. The filtered water returns to the pool through the jet (or return) inlets. The plumbing that returns the water from the filter to the pool is often referred to as return plumbing.
Why is my inground pool losing an inch of water a day?
Pool Is Losing 1 Inch of Water Per Day
Losing more than ½” of pool water per day indicates you likely have a leak in your pool’s structure or your pool pump system. You should call your pool service for a thorough leak inspection. You might not be able to keep up with refilling your pool at this point.
Why does my pool lose water when it rains?
Pool Losing Water After Heavy Rain
Due to a heavy rainstorm, water loss is more common with vinyl liner pools that can be damaged, come loose, or float to the top. With other types of inground pools, it is vital to get the water level down. If not drained, the water balance will change, causing cloudy water and more.
