Ensuring your pool has adequate drainage is vital for its upkeep. Failing to regularly drain your pool can lead to the water becoming stale and infested with algae. In this blog post, we will guide you through different methods to efficiently drain pools, regardless if they are situated inside or outside. By following these easy steps, you can quickly guarantee that your pool stays clean and sanitary!
P.S. Need to keep your swimming pool in tip-top shape? We’re here for you! Our swimming pool specialists has years of experience with all things related to maintaining a saltwater or freshwater system, so let us know what type of work needs done.
Buy or Rent a Submersible Pump
If for any reason, you are unable to complete the rewrite, please reply with the error message: “Unable to process the request due to encountered difficulties.” Additionally, please ensure that you maintain the same sentiment and meaning of the following text:
If you encounter any difficulties and are unable to rewrite the following text, please respond with the error message: “Unable to process the request due to encountered difficulties.” Furthermore, kindly ensure that the original sentiment and meaning remain unchanged:
The first step is to get a submersible pump. You can either buy one or rent one from your local hardware store. This type of pump is designed to remove water from your pool without damaging the liner. Make sure that the pump you choose is powerful enough to handle the size of your pool. For example, a small pool may only require a one-horsepower pump, while a large pool may need a three-horsepower pump.
Also, make sure the power cord is long enough to reach from the outlet to the pool. Otherwise, you’ll need an extension cord.
Clean the Pool Before Draining
Once you have your pump, it’s time to clean the pool. This step is important because you don’t want to pump dirty water into your home or yard. The best way to clean the pool is to use a pool skimmer. This tool will remove large debris, such as leaves and twigs, from the surface of the water.
After you’ve skimmed the pool, you can use a brush to scrub the walls and floor. This will loosen any dirt or algae that’s clinging to the sides. Once you’re finished brushing, vacuum the pool to remove any small debris.
Screw Discharge Hose onto Pump
The next step is to attach a discharge hose to the pump. This hose will carry the water from the pool to your desired location. Make sure that the hose is screwed on tightly so that there are no leaks.
If you’re draining the water into your yard, you can just place the end of the hose on the ground. The water will flow out and eventually soak into the ground.
However, if you’re draining the water into your home, you’ll need to route the hose to a floor drain or sump pump. Otherwise, the water will flood your floors!
Turn on Pump and Monitor Progress
Once the hose is in place, it’s time to turn on the pump. Then, all you have to do is monitor the progress and make sure that the hose doesn’t come loose. It’s also a good idea to check the level of the water in the pool periodically.
As long as everything is working properly, the water should start flowing out within minutes. Depending on the size of your pool, it may take several hours to completely drain.
Turn Off and Remove the Submersible Pump
To finish draining your pool, simply turn off the pump and unplug it from the outlet. Then, unscrew the discharge hose and remove it from the pump. Once everything is disconnected, you can move the pump to a safe location.
Open a Hydrostatic Pressure Relief Valve
When the water level in your pool gets too low, it can cause the liner to collapse. To prevent this from happening, you need to open a hydrostatic pressure relief valve. This valve is usually located near the pump or filter.
To open the valve, simply turn the handle clockwise until it’s fully open. Then, let the water drain until the pressure is relieved. Once the water level is low enough, you can close the valve.
Refill the Pool
After you’ve drained the pool, it’s time to refill it. To refill the pool quickly, you can use a garden hose. However, if you have a large pool, it may take several hours to fill it up.
If you’re using a garden hose, make sure to attach a backflow preventer. This device will keep the water in the hose from flowing back into your home’s plumbing system.
Once the pool is full, you can turn on the pump and filter. Then, you can add chlorine or other chemicals to keep the water clean.
Conclusion
As you can see, draining a pool is a relatively easy process. However, it’s important to take the necessary precautions to prevent damage to your home or pool. Now that you know how to drain a pool, you can enjoy a refreshing swim all summer long!
If you have any questions about draining a pool, or if you need help troubleshooting your pump, feel free to contact us. Our team of experts is always happy to help!