How to Siphon Water From a Swimming Pool
Certain situations, such as changing a pool liner or working on the pool's drainage system, require the pool to be completely drained of water. Perhaps the most efficient way to drain a pool is with siphoning which essentially transports water from the pool to a different area with the use of a tube or hose. Aside from the basic siphoning procedure, certain steps must be followed when draining a pool. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Locate a spot to drain the water. The Southern Nevada Water Authority recommends draining into the clean-out port of the home's sewer line. Clean-out ports are typically near the home and have a black cap between 3 and 4 inches in diameter. If you are unsure of the clean-out port location, call a plumber to ask for help.
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Unscrew the cap from the clean-out port and stick one end of a garden hose 6 inches into it. Bring the other end of the hose to the pool. If the hose is not long enough to reach, attach two or more hoses together using a standard hose connector. The hose must have enough slack to reach the bottom of the pool.
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Connect the pool end of the hose to a submersible pump. Turn on the pump and slowly lower it into the deepest part of the pool until it reaches the bottom. Allow the pump to run until the pool is empty. This will take anywhere from 14 to over 40 hours, depending on the size of the pool and the pump capacity.
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Keep an eye on the clean-out port at least twice per hour to make sure it doesn't back up. If water begins to back up, turn off the pump immediately and call a plumber. A back up in the clean-out port can potentially lead to a small flood in the house or yard.
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Tips & Warnings
The City of Phoenix website suggests using the pool water for irrigation. The water can be stored in tanks or barrels and used as needed if you choose this option.
Do not let the water discharge at more than 12 gallons per minute. Choose a pump that operates at no more than 720 gallons per hour.
References
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