How to Siphon a Pool

Every now and then there comes a time when you have to empty your pool. It may be for maintenance or if it's an above ground pool, it may be to move it. But whatever the reason, it is not a hard project to do. The trick is to watch the weather and not leave the pool empty any longer than you have to. Pools were made to hold water, and they don't fare well empty. You will need several hours to a day to empty a pool depending on the size.

Things You'll Need

• Garden hose
• Sump pump (optional)

Instructions

1. Turn the pool pump on to backwash and allow it to drain down to the skimmer level. You must keep an eye on the pool and don't allow the pump to run dry, or it may damage the pump motor.

2. Attach a garden hose to your outside water faucet and run the other end into the pool. Turn the water on until you have a flow into the pool.

3. Kink the garden hose at the faucet and turn off the water. Disconnect the hose and take the end to a place where you can safely drain the water.

4. Keep the kinked end of the hose lower than the pool and let the kink go. The water should start to siphon from the pool. You may want to move the draining hose around so you don't pool all the water from the pool into one place. Be careful while moving it to keep it lower than the pool.

5. Use a sump pump for larger pools or for the bottom where a hose loses its siphon. Place the sump pump in the lowest area of the pool and the drain hose to the pump in an area where you can drain the water. Plug the pump into an outdoor outlet, keeping the plug and wire out of any standing water. Turn the pump on and drain the water. Do not allow the pump to keep running after the water has been drained or you will burn out the pump.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a shop vac to get the last little bit of water and sediment out of the pool. Be very careful plugging it in to make sure the plug or wire is not in the water.

References

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