Winter, bad and infected water are among the various problems affecting swimming pools that would need to be drained to get it fixed.
Even though pool experts mostly advise against draining a pool completely, there are still situations where it is important that a pool be drained.
So, we’ll be talking about how to drain your pool with the cheapest equipment possible, which is the garden hose.
The ways you can drain your pool with a garden hose are as follows:
- Place your hose in the pool; ensure it’s at one end of the pool. Push it down near the bottom of the pool.
- Put the other end of the hose where you want the water drained to go into, e.g., drainage.
- Suck the end of the hose with your mouth to siphon the water through the hose. Suck repeatedly until water comes out, but be careful not to swallow it. Spit it out in case it mistakenly gets into your mouth.
- Always check the hose from time to time to confirm that water is still running through it.
How do I drain my above-ground pool without a pump?
The use of pumps for pools is quite expensive so, many pool owners look for less expensive means to drain their pool without having to use pumps.
Pools are drained for different reasons, here are some of the reasons why you should drain your pool.
- When your water chemistry is not balanced: Every pool owner knows how frustrating it is for your pool to be home to algae, bacteria, and so many contaminants. It makes the pool unsafe, hence not usable because of its implications on the skin. This is the perfect time to drain your pool, balance it, and make it safe again.
- When you need to repair your pool: Not all faulty pool structures need complete draining to be repaired, but certain pool issues need draining, for example, pool liners. Some cracked or bad pool liners need the pool drained to be properly attended to and fixed.
- When it is the winter season: Although pool experts will advise you not to completely drain your pool even during winter, it is necessary to drain it at least six inches below the winter level for the appropriate safety of your pool and to avoid freezing.
Now, let’s consider ways you can prepare to drain your pool and how to drain your pool without a pump.
- Plan where your water will be running to: It is necessary to consider where the pool water drains to, or else you might just be preparing to flood your own house or neighborhood.
- Ensure your pool chemical levels are down: Draining water filled with chemicals is not something environmentally safe to do. Hence, it is better to not add any chemicals to the pool a few days before you drain.
- Place your hose in the pool: Ensure it’s at one end of the pool. Push it down near the bottom of the pool.
- Put the other end of the hose where you want the water drained to go into, e.g., drainage.
- Suck the end of the hose with your mouth to siphon the water through the hose. Suck repeatedly until water comes out, but be careful not to swallow it. Spit it out in case it mistakenly gets into your mouth.
- Always check the hose from time to time to confirm that water is still running through it.
How long does it take to drain a pool with a garden hose?
Expense is another thing to consider when thinking about draining your pool, either to use a pump, which is more expensive, or use a garden hose, which is more affordable.
How long a garden hose will take to drain a pool depends on two factors: how big your pool is and how many hoses you use.
The average time for a garden hose to fill or drain a pool is between 8 and 14 hours. Remember, take note of which hoses you use; the size of your pool plays a key role in how fast it will get filled or drained.
The average spigot is likely to produce 4-12 gallons of water per minute.
How do I get all the water out of my above-ground pool?
It is advised that you should not drain all the water in your pool. If you’re thinking of draining the pool because of the winter season, it should be below the skimmer to protect your filter system and return jet from freezing and expanding due to the winter temperatures. After draining the water, place an airtight water plug in the return jet, then attach a skimmer plate inside the pool on the skimmer opening.
Also, If your pool is an above-ground pool, you should drain the pool one inch below the skimmer opening. If you live in areas with more precipitation, drain it up to six inches below the skimmer.
However, if you have to drain your pool completely, here’s how to drain your pool completely.
- Unroll your pump’s intake hose, and ensure that it reaches the middle of the pool. Submerge it in the pool.
- Place the outlet hose in an area where you’ll like the water to flow, probably a drainage system, so water does not pour everywhere.
- Use a towel and dry your hands properly.
- Plug the pump’s electric cord into an electric socket and turn on the pump.
- Ensure the pump is doing what it’s meant to do and let it run.
- Check the process from time to time to confirm there are no malfunctions.
- Turn off the pump when it drains to the limit or level it can’t anymore.
How do you drain a pool without a main drain?
Having a pool without a drainage system around can be so frustrating. It makes you wonder and ponder how to drain it when there’s no source to drain it into.
And you know what happens when you drain a pool with no drainage around? The water ends up filling the area and can even damage valuable properties.
So, here’s what to do. If you do not have a drainage system around and you want to drain your pool, you can hire the services of a water service or company to come and help you suck away the water.
How do you partially drain an above ground pool?
If your pool is an above-ground pool, you should drain the pool one inch below the skimmer opening. If you live in areas with more precipitation, drain it up to six inches below the skimmer.
The same thing goes for in-ground pools, drain the water not more than six inches below the skimmer opening.
How to drain your pool: use the pool filter, switch to the drain set to empty the pool water, and attach a hose to the end of the filter opening. Ensure this hose leads to drainage to avoid flooding.
How do I clean the bottom of my pool without a pump?
After draining comes the hard work. Debris, dirt particles, and leaves are likely to be found under your pool after you drain it.
To clean your pool after draining without a pump, do these below.
- Use the skimmer, the skimmers attach to the end of a hose and draws debris and other dirt particles up.
- Use a net, you can use a net to fetch out the dirt particles in the pool, place the net over the pool and let it hang, it will trap any debris it comes across.
Can you use a shop vacuum to clean the bottom of a pool?
The average pool owner is likely to use the normal manual vacuum or vacuum device. But the truth is, you can still clean your pool with a shop vacuum.
The only disadvantage is that it takes a little bit longer as you’ll have to empty the water from the shop vacuum repeatedly.
How can I vacuum my pool without a skimmer?
Without a skimmer, you can use a power vacuum to clean your pool.
It is simple and fast. Another advantage of the power vacuum is that it helps clean and pick up debris accurately.
Does an above-ground pool have to be drained for winter?
During winter, a lot of things become frozen, including your skimmer. It can be frozen and expand if the water level is not below the skimmer.
The major reason why it is very important to drain your pool during the winter is that your filter system, can be cracked and damaged from freezing.
Here are some tips you need to winterize your skimmer for maximum safety.
- Drain the skimmer: It is necessary to lower the water level below the skimmer to prevent damage.
- Plug the skimmer pipe: After you empty the skimmer pipe, plug it to prevent water from getting back into the pipe from the pool or precipitation.
