If your Above ground pool liner needs to be replaced because it is worn out, want to store the pool for winterizing or the total solids of the water have crossed the permissible limit, then your pool needs your attention and for that you need to drain your pool first.
However, a lot of pools lack pumps and filtration systems which require extra effort to drain the water OR there is a possibility your pump stops working which makes you look for other workarounds.
In either case, we will guide you the easiest and fastest ways to drain the water from your above ground pool whether you have a pump or not.
Draining your pool isn’t a big problem but doing it fast is a major concern for a lot of users. That’s why we are here today to guide you about the easiest methods.
Reasons to Drain an Above Ground Pool
It is important to know when you are obliged to drain your pool, otherwise draining the water more frequently has the chance to de-shape your pool, might get damage from the direct sunlight or have the chances to grow mould (as most of the time users fold it without drying).
So, here are the reasons and conditions at which you are allowed to drain the pool, otherwise refrain from it.
- If you want to change your pool liner.
- If your pool doesn’t come with a pump or your previous pump is not working.
- If the total solids of the pool water exceeds the permissible limit (above 2000 ppm).
- If your pool needs repairing (cracks on the walls) or like to fix the leaks.
- If you want to close (winterize) the pool in the winter season.
- To clean big sized inflatable pools.
- If you want to clean your above ground pool.
- If you want to change the location or reinstall your above ground pool.
Also, some times people Drain their Above ground Pools completely if they find the pH or Alkalinity of the Pool water high or very low. However, there are methods which one can follow to adjust the alkalinity or pH of the pool without even draining the water.
You can follow this guide to lower down the pH and adjust the alkalinity of the pool.
OR
To increase the pH and adjusting alkalinity according, you can follow this guide.
How to empty an Above Ground Pool with a Pump
Having a pump makes the whole game much easier. Most of the Good Above Ground Pools (Intex, Hayward, Bestway and other brands) come with pool pumps.
And, these pumps make it easier for the users to drain the water when needed.
Here are the steps to follow when draining your above ground pool with the water pump.
- Just plug the pump’s cord to the power outlet and turn On it.
- Set the settings according to the type of the pump (single-speed, variable or automatic).
- Now check the operation of your pump from time to time until the water level reaches to the desired level.
SIDE NOTE: The draining time depends upon the capacity of the pump and its power.
- Turn Off the pump when deed is done.
For those who don’t know, here is a brief description about how the pump of above ground pool works;
The pump plays an important role in the whole circulation system of the pool, it creates a vacuum to mix the chemicals, sucks the water through the skimmer and directs the water to the filter system (where debris and dust is collected) and drains the water to the drainage system.
It directs the water to the heater and then again in the pool (tweak the settings before you start to drain the pump).
How to Drain an Above Ground Pool without a Pump
If your pool doesn’t come with a pool pump or by chance your pump is not working anymore, then you can opt for these alternatives.
There are four options you can avail when looking for other workarounds.
1. Garden hose siphon method
The first and most convenient method to empty the above ground pool is to siphon out the water with a garden hose. For that you need a water pipe (without having any leakes or holes) and a garden hose/water hose.
- The first step is to attach the water pipe to the garden hose and the other end in the pool. Make sure the end of the pipe is fully submerged in the pool (add any weight or attach the pipe tightly in the pool.
- The next step is to open the water hose to its maximum to add water in the pool. Yes, you heard it right. Adding water with pressure in the pool will help you to siphon out the water later on.
- Now, turn Off the water hose and remove the water pipe, the water in the pool will start siphoning out with speed and will empty the pool to its end.
PRO TIP: Make sure the pipe connected to the garden hose has no bubbles in it and it should be free from any leakages.
IMPORTANT NOTE: A lot of users prefer to suck the water out from the water which is not recommended as a user will get a mouthful of water (it might be dirty or have harmful chemicals).
However, there is another way to siphon out the water by placing one end of hose in the pool and covering the other hose with your hand, place the end on which you have placed the hand at a lower level than the pool and then remove the hand. The water will start siphoning out.
In our opinion, the first method is efficient and requires less time to siphon out the water and empty your above ground pool.
2. Electrical pump (Sump Pump) method
The other method which is better than the garden hose method is to use the sump pump (submersible pump).
This method is helpful when you want to remove every inch of water from your above ground pool. However, this process requires a bit of time and you need to be a little patient.
SIDE NOTE: It doesn’t matter which brand of a sump pump you have, this process will still stake some time.
However, the steps taken for this method are as follows;
- Connect the garden hose to the sump pump.
- Place the sump pump into the middle of your above ground pool (make sure its cord is long enough to plug into the power outlet nearby).
- Place the other end of the garden hose into the drainage system of your house.
- Start the pump and wait for some time to drain the above ground pool.
OUR RECOMMENDATION: We would recommend you to opt for a high-end sump pump which can suck thousands of gallons otherwise, your sump pump will burn out.
3. Drain Adapter method
The last and the fastest method to remove water from above ground pools is by using the drain adapter.
For all the Intex and Coleman above ground pool users, your pool might come with the drain adapter which allows you to drain the pool at a faster rate.
Although this method doesn’t require any equipment and can drain the pool water quite efficiently, it comes with some drawbacks; the drain adapter will suck the sand and water present beneath the pool as well which might leave big rocks.
That’s why we would recommend you to use it with a garden hose and if you don’t have any; then buy a new one.
- Connect the drain adapter plug with the garden hose and the other end to the drainage system or away from the pool.
- Now open the drain adapter valve and keep checking the water level of your pool. The drain adapters are capable of draining the pool water at a much faster rate than any other method.
OUR RECOMMENDATION: In our opinion, this method is the fastest way to drain the above ground pool.
4. Professional Help
The last option is to seek professional help from your pool’s manufacturer’s instruction outlet.
If your pool doesn’t come with any water pump, you have an inflatable pool and you have no idea how to use/apply other workarounds mentioned above, then seeking professional help would be a good option.
Water Dumping Plan
The most important factor to consider when drawing an above ground pool (whichever method you use) is to plan how you are going to dump your pool water as most of the time people don’t use neutralizers or chlorine or chlorinators to level down the harmful chemicals present in the pool.
And dumping the water directly to the neighborhood or in your ground can have a negative impact on the environment. For that, you must check your city rules and regulations for dumping pool water and act accordingly.
OR
You can dump the water in your drainage or sewage system by making sure the disposal pipes are placed right at the drainage system.
However, dumping your pool water in your lawn is only recommended when you have made sure your pool water is safe from any harmful chemicals or doesn’t contain any excessive TDS (more than permissible limit).
How Long does it take to drain an above ground pool?
Well, it depends upon your pool size and what method you are opting to drain the water. On an average, if you are draining your above ground pool with your pool pump or using the garden hose method, it will take 6 to 12 hours to drain (Intex, Coleman and bestway pools). However, bigger the size of the pool, the more time it will take to drain.
If you are using a sump pump method, although it drains the water without leaving any ounce of it but takes a lot of time to complete the deed; around 8 to 15 hours.
And, if you are using a drain adapter, it would take a maximum 4 to 5 hours to drain the above ground pool water but it is not guaranteed to drain the whole water from the above ground pool.
PRO TIP: If you are using the drain adapter method, make sure to remove the remaining water by either removing the pool liners or turn around the pool to remove it.
OUR RECOMMENDATION: Although the drain adapter method is the fastest method but if we talk about the efficient method, we would recommend opting for a sump pump.
How can you remove the Remaining water from the pool?
When you use the garden hose method and drain adapter method, there is a chance of remaining water in the pool. How to get rid of it? Especially when you are storing it for the next season.
The best possible solutions to remove that water without spending money on other things are;
- By using a pipe and sucking it with your mouth.
- Remove the pool liners and dismantle the frame to remove the water.
- Slightly turn over the pool and drain the water.
Some Important tips to remember when draining the pool water
- Make sure to place the one end of the garden hose or sump pump in the centre of the pool water to have an efficient response.
- Make a proper plan of your dumping system before draining the water.
- Use neutralizers and chlorinators to level down the excessive chemicals before draining the water to not pollute the environment.
- Don’t forget to wash your hands when using garden hose and sump pump methods.
FAQs
Where to drain the above ground pool water?
It would be best to plan where you are going to dump the pool water before draining it.
Dumping in the drainage system of your house is preferred but if your pool water is cleaned, only then you can dump it in your lawn.
How to drain Bestway pool without an adapter?
A lot of pools don’t come with drain’s adapter (except Intex and Coleman) and if you don’t have such option, then opt for;
- Either sump pump method.
- Garden hose by siphoning the water.
- Or you can buy a water pump.
Which is the most efficient way to remove above ground pool water?
When it comes to the efficient performance, sump pumps outshines every other method and drain each and every water droplet from the pool (it takes a bit of time but surely knows how to do it properly).
Which is the fastest method to remove pool water?
Among all, the fastest method to remove the pool water is by using the drain adapter which most of the Intex and Coleman above ground pools come with.
Wrapping Up
Draining your pool isn’t recommended unless there is a specific need (which we have mentioned above). And, if your pool comes with a water pump then draining the pool water isn’t a problem.
On the contrary, if your pool doesn’t come with a water pump, then you have 4 options available to opt for; siphoning method, sump pump method, drain adapter or professional help.
No matter what method you are using, just make sure you are dumping the water with a proper disposal plan (depending upon your city’s laws and regulations).
Well, if you are having confusions regarding this topic, then feel free to ask us.
