Having a pool in your backyard is great when you want a refreshing swim in some cool water. But let’s face it, there are certain times of the year when you won’t be using your pool.
Knowing how to drain a pool at these times is quite important.
Read on to find out more about the different methods of draining pools.
Methods You Can Use to Drain Your Pool below the skimmer
There are several ways you can drain your pool. Some pools have a built-in filtration system that can also be used for drainage. However, other pools aren’t equipped with this feature.
If your pool doesn’t have a filtration system, an alternative drainage method you can use is a submersible pump.
Here’s how you can use each of these methods to drain your pool.
Using Pool’s Filtration System
The primary purpose of your pool’s filtration system is clean the water by passing it through a sand filter or a filter cartridge. However, with a few modifications, you can also use the filter system to drain water from your pool.
Here’s how:
Attach a Drain Hose to the Filter System
The first thing you’ll want to do is attach a drain hose to your filter system’s dedicated drainage port.
Alter the Course of the Water
The default configuration of your pool’s filter system is designed to return the water to it after it’s been cleaned. You don’t want that to happen when you’re draining your pool.
You’ll want to shut the valves controlling the flow of water through the filter system’s return lines and open the valves leading to the drain hose.
Then, turn on the filter pump to start draining.
Monitor the Drainage
Next, you’ll need to keep a close eye on the drainage of your pool’s water.
You need to make sure that you turn off the pump before all of the water has been drained. This is important because leaving the pump running and sucking on air can cause severe damage to your filter system.
Remove the Remaining Water
Now all that’s left to do is to drain the last of the water remaining in your pool. You can do so manually, or you can use a submersible pump.
Using a Submersible Pump
Another way you can drain your pool is by using a submersible pump. However, you should note that this method will take significantly longer than a pool filter system.
Here are the steps you need to take to drain your pool with a submersible pump.
Locate a Suitable Drainage Destination
First, you need to figure out where all that water you’re going to be draining is going to go. Sewers are usually most suitable for draining pools. However, it’s against the law to drain pool water into sewers in some states.
Setup the Pump
The next step is to get your pump ready for draining.
You’ll want to firmly attach one end of your hose to the pump and place the other end at the place you plan on draining your pool water.
What you also need to do is to let the pump warm up. Draining an entire pool is a heavy-duty job, so make sure to get your pump’s internal components ready for the task by placing it in a bowl of water and letting it drain the contents.
Submerge the Pump in Your Pool’s Deep End
Now that your submersible pump is all set, it’s time to drop it into your pool. Make sure to do so in the deepest area of your pool; this will allow the pump to work with maximum efficiency.
Let the pump do its job, and check on it regularly.
Turn Off the Pump When Water Level Is Too Low
Make sure to turn off your submersible pump when it has drained most of the water from your
pool. The rule of thumb is to turn off the pump when more than half of it is no longer submerged.
Failing to do so can damage your pump’s internal components.
How to Siphon Water Out of a Pool?
If your pool isn’t equipped with a built-in filter system and you can’t get your hands on a submersible pump for any reason, another pool drainage option is siphoning. It’s the easiest way to do it, but it requires some extra steps because you’ll DIY the siphon.
Here’s how you can siphon water out of your pool quickly and efficiently.
Setup Your Hose
The first step in siphoning water out of your pool is to get your hose ready. We recommend using a ¾-inch garden hose if you have it handy.
Lower the hose into your pool carefully until almost all of it is submerged and full of water. Take care not to let its other end drop in the water.
Create a Siphon
The next step is to create your siphon. You can do this by submerging the other end of the hose and quickly sealing it off with a hose cap. Now, take that end of the hose out of the water and take it to the drainage destination.
To start siphoning, take off the hose cap and let the water start flowing.
Stop the Siphon
You may want to siphon your pool’s entire contents or just lower the water level a bit. Either way, once the water is where you want it to be, take the hose out of the pool to stop siphoning.
Conclusion
When winter rolls along, and your pool isn’t going to be put to much use, you may be asking yourself how to drain a pool.
There are various methods of draining water from a pool. You can make use of your pool’s built-in filter system or use a submersible pump if your pool isn’t equipped with a system.
Another way you can drain your pool is by using a garden hose to siphon the water out.
By reading this guide, you now have all the answers when it comes to draining pools.
