An increase in requests by banks to drain and leave pools empty is causing concern among pool techs in light of predictions that 2010 will be a wetter than normal year. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently announced El Nino, a climate phenomenon with a significant influence on global weather and ocean conditions, has returned and will remain through the winter of 2009-2010. The combination of greater than normal rainfall and and an empty pool shell increases the risk of an empty pool lifting from the ground.
We recommend that pool techs reject lender requests to drain and leave pools empty. The risk of damage to the pool shell far outweighs any cost saving the bank will realize by draining the pool and discontinuing pool service.
