Don’t know how to drain last bit of water from pool? If you’re hoping to winterize your winter through a complete pool drain, don’t worry: it’s not as hard as you think. If you know how to drain a small pool and where to drain pool water, it’s basically similar, but in a much larger area and with some extra steps. Draining your pool is necessary for some maintenance procedures, as the ones we’ll list below.
How to Drain Last Bit of Water from Pool – With and Without a Pool
This article will explain how to drain the last bit of water from your pool effectively and the benefits that come with it. If you already know how to drain a small pool, you’ll recognize some of the steps we’ll list here, along with detailed descriptions of how to pull them off. You may want to consider removing the skimmer basket before you start draining the pool.
Why Drain Your Pool Water?
Some choose to drain their pools when they winterize them. Some pool experts recommend to replace pool water every 5-7 years to eliminate hard water, particles brought by the harsh environment, and biological remains, such as dead skin, oils, and hair. This may also be an option if you are dealing with cloudy pool water that will not clear.
Two Draining Options
When it comes to draining pools completely, pool owners typically choose one of these two: an electric pump or a garden hose siphon.
Electric Pool Pump:
- Submerge the pump’s intake hose under the pool water, close to the center.
- Select a space that’s far away from your pool and on the same level as your pool as to avoid flooding. This will be the place where all the pool water will be drained to.
- Turn the electric pump on and make sure that your swimming pool’s water is being drained. If it does, you can leave it alone and check on your pool every now and then.
- Once the water level decreases to 6-12 inches deep, turn the pump off. It’s done.
Garden Hose Siphon:
- Submerge one (or more, for faster results) garden hose completely under the pool’s water, with one of its ends out and in an area with level ground, where it won’t flood.
- Make sure that the liquid begins to siphon out of the pool and let it be, not without checking it frequently to ensure that the water level is gradually decreasing.
- Because this method is much slower than the pump, it won’t be as effective and won’t drain all of your pool’s water. Remove the hoses once the water level reaches 6-12 inches deep.
For the remaining water sitting at the bottom, either suck it up with a wet vac, a broom, or simply removing the liner from the pool’s frame and flipping it over to dump the extra water.
Precautions
Although removing the water from your swimming pool is rather simple, you also need to keep in mind the following factors you need to be aware of once your pool is completely empty:
- Pool water protects your liner from the sun’s UV rays. Without water, your pool liner can be warped by the sun, so drain your pool when it’s overcast outside.
- If you’re removing the water to winterize your pool, be sure to clean and dry thoroughly the vinyl before storing it for the season, or else, mold will build up on your pool’s liner.
- Swimming pools hold their shape due to water, so when emptied, your pool will lose some shape. Don’t drain your pool during a windy day, or else, your pool might collapse.
Last Considerations
How do You Drain a Pool with a Hose?
Put one end of your garden hose in the deepest area of your pool, near the drain and the other one in a submersion pump. The pool will begin to drain automatically this way.
Can You Drain a Pool and Leave it Empty?
You could, but only if your pools are properly braced before draining. As we explained above, your pool’s shape might collapse if left emptied on harsh weather.
Does Draining a Pool Damage It?
If done at the wrong time or under the wrong conditions, yes: your pool structure and liner might get severely damaged. That’s why, perform the drain on an overcast weather, and place the water far away from the pool’s ground.
In Conclusion
As you can see, if you know how to drain a small pool, it’s basically similar in most aspects, but it requires more time and patience. Still, now that you know how to drain the last bit of water from your pool and where to drain your pool water, you’re ready to begin the process anytime. When you refill your pool after draining it, make sure you are careful.
