Need to know how to drain an above ground pool? This article will show you almost everything you need to know to drain your above ground pool the right way.
Before we start, I would like to emphasize that draining the pool isn’t something you need to do every week, month, or even quarter. Usually, we drain our pool to refill it with clean water and perform maintenance methods.
Like everything else, the water in your pool is bound to get dirty after a long time, and the cement might have several cracks that you need to fix. Pumping the whole of the water mass is the only choice you have. For more details, let’s proceed!
When should you drain your aboveground pool?
#To change the water
Do you close your pool habitually? Do you use chemicals to balance the water? Those techniques are good but not enough.
Over time, dry leaves, dirt, and contaminants will accumulate in the pool. They will reach an extent where filterer won’t be much of help anymore. Therefore, your swimming pool maintenance can’t run smoothly, and the disaster begins.
Manufacturers try to make their chemicals safe for skin but when the chemicals can’t fulfill their duty, particles of mineral will grow and develop on every surface possible. This process might as well ruin the liner material.
Now, we can’t go on and keep adding more chemicals to balance the chemicals that have already been there. That’s basically covering a stain by applying another stain with a different color on it.
At this point, draining the pool and replacing the not-so-clean water with fresh water is probably the only solution for you.
#To clean the pool
If your water is high in calcium or metals, the deposits will become visible after several years, even if you deionize the water or have efficient solutions for calcium hardness levels.
Let’s pay more attention to the calcium deposits. They can cause severe consequences to the surfaces and the equipment, which will be expensive. The best way to handle them is by washing them away by acid. And to do so, you have to drain the pool.
#To repair the pool
Holding a giant mass of water and sitting under the hot sun will undoubtedly put the pool under risks. The weight of the water will tear the vinyl liner and crush the concrete after a long time in use. Not only that but the paint coat also suffers damage from the high temperature during summer.
We want our pool to be clean and pleasant on the eyes. Hence, patching the liners and repainting the surfaces are something to consider. Again, we need to drain the pool to do that.
Note: As we have said above, draining the pool is a task for long-term usage, so you might want to utilize the chance and do as much maintenance as possible.
How to drain an aboveground pool?
First of all, make sure you have every good condition.
- The right weather:
Of course, we won’t try to drain our pool when it’s raining heavily. However, a scorching hot day won’t be ideal either. With that said, if you are living in a tropical country with high temperatures, waiting until autumn or winter is a better choice.
Why? The materials used for building a pool are suitable for an aquatic environment. It means exposing them to the hot sun will make them vulnerable.
- Prepare your supplies:
As stated above, we shouldn’t leave the pool dry for too long. Have your repair kits and tools ready and get to work as soon as you can. Moreover, what if we have an unexpected thunderstorm?
- Switch automatic timers off:
Make sure none of them turns on when you are draining the pool. Most of the devices are water-cooled and meant to work underwater only. Your pool lights, for example. Without the water surrounding them, they will overheat and break quickly.
The most important notice is for the pump. If it runs when not being submerged in water, it will take some air in and undergo serious damage.
- Plan the disposal of water:
There will be a massive amount of water to dispose of, so where will you direct it to? Some places prohibit draining pool water into gutters, but your yard isn’t likely to hold thousands of liters of water. Let’s not forget the issues those pool chemicals might cause to the grass and the plants.
The sewer clean-out is a common choice, yet it depends on the restrictions your city has. Double-check with the authority responsible for water to avoid unwanted fines.
- Let the chemicals dissipate:
Wherever you choose to dispose of your pool water, the usual etiquette is making sure the water is chlorine-neutral, pH-neutral, and not exceeding the required chemical levels in your city.
To achieve acceptable levels of chemicals, you might want to stop adding chemicals and start testing the water until it reaches the standards. There are neutralizers if you want to speed up the process.
To drain the above ground pool completely:
There are two main reasons for use to drain the last foot of water out of an aboveground pool: to repair it or to store it for winter. The process for each is a little different from the other, but the first steps are similar.
- Get a submersible pump:
You can easily find a submersible pump for rent from a hardware store, though it’s pretty much affordable if you would like to own one instead.
Ensure the power cord is long enough for the distance from the outlet to the center of the pool’s floor. Water will be everywhere, hence it’s best to not use any extension cord.
Also, the drainage hose should be enough to reach from the pump to where you dispose of the water.
- Control the process:
Hoses and cords must be connected and fixated if you don’t want more flooding issues to deal with.
- Turn off the submersible pump and remove it:
The submersible pumps only work with a remarkable dose of water. When the water level gets too low, the pump won’t be able to drain any of it from the pool. It’s time for you to switch off and remove the pump.
#If you drain the above ground pool for repairs:
- Do what you need to do:
But remember to do it quickly so you can refill the pool soon!
- Refill the pool:
Put the hoses in the pool, turn the spigots on, and watch the water rising.
- Get the pool pump working again:
When the water level reaches the middle of the skimmer, you can remove the hoses and turn on the pump.
- Add the chemicals and enjoy:
Unbox your liquid test kit and test the pool water while adding chemicals to be sure about the balance of the water.
If you don’t have time for it or don’t want to do it yourself, getting a sample of the water and taking it to a trusted pool dealer will solve the problem.
#If you drain the pool for storage:
- Remove as much water as you can:
You can vacuum or sweep the last bits of water out of your pool. For a more thorough method, you can also strip the liner from the frame and flip it over.
- Dry the liner
A leaf blower will dry your liner up in no time unless you have lots of towels to use and wipe the liner dry. There’s an option of air-drying as well, yet leaving the liner out in the hot weather will possibly have it faded and ruined.
- Fold the liner and store it:
It would be great if you have a partner for this! Lay the liner on a surface (not an overly hard one!) and fold it as neatly as you wish.
Mice will love to chew on your liner, so don’t throw it around carelessly, or get ready to say goodbye to it!
- Protect the pool frame:
If you plan to let the pool rest for a long time, you will need to refer to instructions from the manufacturer and store the parts somewhere clean and dry.
If you want to leave the frame untouched, find a tarp to cover it from the upcoming winds, storms, or any unfavorable type of weather.
To drain the pool partially:
If you are simply trying to get the chemical concentrations right, you won’t need to go as far as getting the last ounces of water out of the pool. It saves you from the extra expenditure.
#Prepare a siphon:
You can cut 6 – 8 feet from your garden hose and immerse the entire length in the water. After that, cover one end with your hand and pull it out of the pool. Keep it below the pool surface.
If you don’t want to cut anything, simply attach the hose to the spigot and fill it with water.
#Drain the water:
For the former method, remove your hand from the un-submersed end and the water will flow.
For the latter, you will wait for the hose to be full before submerging it in the pool and removing your hand (or the clamp) for the underwater end. Once done, quickly lower the hose to the ground and also free it from any clamp. The water will go through the hose now.
Last saying
Nevertheless, there are some situations where you can’t handle the whole process without an expert’s advice:
- Your area has high groundwater.
- You aren’t sure which type your pool is.
- You don’t know about the equipment in your pool so well.
Otherwise, you’re ready to complete this challenge! Again, be sure to have every necessary tool ready and not violate any regulation. Spread the word(s) to your fellow pool enthusiasts because not everyone knows how to properly drain their pool!
Hope that you already know everything you need about how to drain an above ground pool with this article of Swim-City.com. If you have any question or idea, feel free to share with us.