How To Drain An Above-Ground Pool

Above-ground pools can be a great addition to any backyard, providing a fun and refreshing place to cool off during hot summer days. However, as the swimming season comes to an end, it's important to properly drain and winterize your pool to prevent damage and extend its lifespan.

Draining an above-ground pool can be a simple process if done correctly, but it can also be dangerous if not done properly. In this blog post, we'll provide a comprehensive guide to draining an above-ground pool safely and efficiently.

Why Do You Need To Drain A Pool?

Before giving you tips on how to drain an above-ground pool, let us start by looking at why you need to drain it in the first place. Couldn’t the pool water remain fresh and clear all the time? No.

Firstly, you need to drain your above-ground pool when the algae start to appear at the top. This happens due to a myriad of reasons, not all of which you can control. When the algae bloom to such a point that you cannot see the bottom lining, you have no choice but to drain the pool. Otherwise, your pump will give way.

Secondly, the temperatures of your area might force you to do it. Due to the high temperatures, water will evaporate from your pool. When the temperatures go very high, i.e., above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, refilling a pool becomes an everyday job due to the subsequent high rates of evaporation.

While refilling would give your pool the water back, it would also disturb the concentration of chemicals. Consequently, these chemicals will change the appearance of your pool water from clear to dull. Consequently, you will be left with no choice but to drain the pool.

Things You Need For Pool Drainage

As you might guess, you’ll need many tools before draining your pool. While you will require some of these tools throughout the process of draining, a large amount of them will be used only once. However, you’ll need all of them at your disposal before you start draining the pool

Here are the things which you need for pool drainage …

Submersible Sump Pump
Rubber fire hose (Approx. 50ft in length) with clamps
Bucket (for manually removing the water which the pump won’t suck out)
Electrical Tape (for restricting the excess of the clamp)

Step 1: Prepare the Area

Before draining your pool, it's important to prepare the area around it. Make sure there are no electrical cords or other hazards near the pool and clear the area of any furniture, toys, or other items. You'll also want to ensure that the area is sloped away from the pool to prevent water from pooling around the base of the pool.

Step 2: Turn Off the Pump

Before you begin draining your pool, turn off the pump and filter system. This will prevent the pump from burning out and ensure that the water is not being circulated during the draining process. You should also turn off the heater and any other electrical equipment connected to the pool.

Step 3: Remove the Drain Plug

The next step is to remove the drain plug from the pool. The drain plug is usually located at the bottom of the pool, near the skimmer. Use a wrench to loosen the plug and remove it from the pool. You may also need to remove the skimmer basket to allow water to drain more quickly.

Step 4: Connect a Hose

Once the drain plug is removed, you'll need to connect a garden hose to the drain outlet. The hose should be long enough to reach a safe area for draining the water, such as a storm drain, street gutter, or other suitable location. You may also want to use a sump pump to speed up the draining process.

Step 5: Begin Draining the Pool

Once the hose is connected and in place, you can begin draining the pool. Allow the water to flow out of the pool and into the hose or sump pump. Be sure to monitor the water level to ensure that it's not draining too quickly or too slowly.

Step 6: Remove The Remaining Water

Once the water level has dropped to the desired level, you may still have some remaining water at the bottom of the pool. To remove this water, you can use a wet/dry vacuum or a sponge. Be sure to get as much water out of the pool as possible, as any remaining water can freeze and cause damage to the pool over the winter.

Step 7: Clean and Store the Pool

After the pool has been drained, you'll want to clean it thoroughly to remove any dirt, debris, or algae that may have accumulated during the swimming season. You should also remove any accessories, such as ladders or diving boards, and store them in a dry place for the winter. Cover the pool with a winter cover to protect it from the elements.

What To Do After Draining The Pool Water

After you have drained the pool using the aforementioned technique, there are two steps that are yet to be taken: the cleaning and the refilling phases. Here’s what you need to know about them.

Remove the debris from pop-ups: For this purpose, you would need to remove the debris by blasting it with an air hose. If you don’t have an in-floor cleaning system, contact the manufacturer for this service.
Wash your pool with an acid wash: If you care about the interior of your pool – and not only its exterior appearance, acid washing could come in handy. In addition to cleaning the walls of your pool, the acid wash will also make water more bright and transparent. However, this step will require a lot of your time. Therefore, do it only if you can afford to give enough time.
Estimate the refilling time: After a day of hard labor – that is draining your pool, it is quite possible that you will go to sleep after leaving the hose in the pool for refilling. Thus, if you don’t want to wake up with a lake in your house, estimate how much time it will take for your pool to be refilled. If you aren’t sure you could wake up, set an alarm. For this purpose, you could also use the pool volume calculator
Do not add the chemicals quickly: A common mistake that the majority of new pool owners make is to add the chemicals immediately after refilling the pool. Thus, if you want to avoid this mistake, carry out a number of checks on the water to test its alkalinity, pH, and calcium hardness. Only after making these tests should you add any chemicals.

Conclusion

In conclusion, draining an above-ground pool is a simple process if done correctly, but it's important to follow the proper steps to ensure the safety of yourself and others, as well as to prevent damage to the pool. By following these steps, you can safely and efficiently drain your above-ground pool and prepare it for the winter season.