8 Steps on How to Drain a Pool Easily and Quickly All By Yourself

Regular maintenance is definitely on a to-do list of every pool owner. From balancing the chemicals of the water to vacuuming the surface of the pool, every single maintenance step should be done on a regular basis.

How to Drain a Pool
blog.ideales.gr

Draining the pool is actually one of the steps of regular maintenance that you have to keep in mind. But, we’re not talking about weekly, monthly, or even yearly maintenance here. As you may have known, draining a pool takes a lot of elbow grease, and it’s not really that necessary to empty your swimming pool, except for these factors:

Deep-Cleaning the Pool

Vacuuming is actually a deep-clean kind of maintenance, and you can do it in the pool full of water. But overtimes, you will notice the calcium buildup and stains around your pool surface. They will eventually damage the tiles and equipment of your pool. To clean them up, you have to drain the pool then brush them or you can use acid to remove them.

Repairing the Pool

Wear and tear will eventually happen, even if you have used expensive materials to build your pool. You may find some chips and cracks that you have to repair as soon as possible. The other case is the paint of the pool’s surface starts fading which makes it look less attractive. Of course, the repairing job should be done in an empty pool.

Changing the Water

Even with regular maintenance, eventually, you will need to change your pool water. The TDS (total dissolved solids) of your pool water will eventually disrupt the balance of the chemicals that you will no longer be able to fix. Commonly, you need to change the water completely every 5 years.

(Check this out: 4 Steps on How to Grow Grapes in Your Backyard | Easy DIY Project)

How to Drain a Pool Easily and Quickly

Before you drain your very own swimming pool, there are several things that you have to keep in mind in the name of keeping the environment.

Plan the Water

How to Drain a Pool 1
nicksplumbing.com

The very first thing is that you have to know where the water of your pool is going to go when you drain it. Each town or city has a different municipality in draining pool water. Some allow you to dispose of the water into the storm drains and the others only let you use the sewer cleanouts. Moreover, your backyard may not be able to handle the entire water from your pool.

Neutralize the Chemicals

How to Drain a Pool 2
koiacres.com

The water that you are going to drain from your swimming pool has to have low levels of the chemical. The chlorine and pH levels should be neutralized. Moreover, it also has to be free from other chemicals that you use to maintain the pool.

  • Find out the recommended chemical levels by contacting the water authority in your area.
  • Stop adding the chemicals several weeks before you drain the pool, keep testing the water until you get the required level.
  • For a faster process, you can use a chlorine neutralizer.

Turn Off Everything

How to Drain a Pool 7
lesliespool.com

The equipment of your swimming pool mostly works together with the water and you may damage them if they are still running in an empty pool. For instance, the underwater lights may get overheat without getting immersed in the water and your pump can be broken when it takes on air.

  • Turn off all the automatic timer of your pool equipment before draining the water.
  • Make sure that nothing turns on when you start draining the pool.

(Recommended to read: 4 Quick and Cheap Ways on How to Heat a Pool | Fun DIY Projects)

Pick the Right Day

How to Drain a Pool 4
aurorapoolsandspas.com

Just like its equipment, the construction of your pool is also designed to befriend with water. When it’s exposed to sunlight without water, it can get easily damaged. You may find some chips and cracks around the surface of your swimming pool.

  • Use the weather forecast apps on your phone.
  • Find the right day when the temperature is not more than 85 degrees F.
  • It’s a wiser idea to drain your pool in autumn or even winter instead of summer.

Use Submersible Pump

submersible pump
all-about-the-house.com

To drain an inground swimming pool, you can use a submersible pump. You can rent this kind of pump from the local hardware store or purchase one since they are not really pricey and you may need to use it for the next drain.

  • Put the pump on your pool floor (find the center of the pool’s deep end).
  • Make sure that you use a drainage hose that can properly reach the sewer where you would like to dispose of the water.
  • Turn off and remove the pump when it’s no longer be able to suck the water.

Refill Your Pool

How to Drain a Pool 6a
pentair.com

Once you have done working with your pool, quickly refill it with fresh water.

  • Use one or more hoses to refill the pool (the more hoses that you use, the faster it can be)
  • Turn the spigot on.
  • Keep monitoring the water level of your pool.

Turn on the Pump

pump
blog.hayward-pool.com

You can turn your pool pump on when the water has reached the proper level that it can reach.

  • Turn off the spigot.
  • Remove the garden hoses.
  • Turn your swimming pool pump.

Balance the Chemicals

water tester strip
poolcleanerblog.com

Of course, you’re gonna need to add some chemicals to treat the freshwater that has filled the pool.

  • Purchase a pool start-up chemical kit, and follow the manufacturer’s instruction.
  • Use tester strip or kit to check the chemical level of your pool water, make sure they are all in ideal ranges.

(You may also like: Here’s 4 Steps on How to Clean a Green Pool with Bleach Effectively)

So those are the steps that you can follow when you have a plan to drain your swimming pool. It takes a lot of time energy, and even money to drain a swimming pool – especially if you have a big one – that is why you just need to do it at least every 5 years on in urgent circumstances.

Related Posts

Leave a Comment