How to Drain an Above Ground Pool?

Published October 18, 2023

Draining your above-ground pool is an important part of keeping it in good shape. As summer ends, many pool owners need to empty their above-ground pools. Here are some reasons why: 

• to remove accumulated debris, minerals, and other contaminants.
• prevents freezing and potential damage to the pool structure, equipment, and plumbing.
• to identify the source of the leak (if any), and carry out necessary repairs.

It might seem like a daunting job, but don’t worry – we’ve got you covered! We’ve provided you with two different ways on how to drain your pool and some key reminders. Let’s get started.

How to Drain an Above-Ground Pool

Prepare the Equipment

There are different ways to drain your above-ground pool. And for whatever the way is, below are some equipment you might need.

• Garden hose
• Submersible Pump
• Extension cord (if needed)
• A safe place to discharge the water
• Chemical Test Kit (if needed)

Ensure that your submersible pump is in good working condition and has a hose attachment. If you don’t have a submersible pump, you can often rent one from a local hardware store or contact us. 

With that said, let’s start with the first method. 

How to Drain a Pool with a Hose

First, you need a hose (of course). Submerge the entire hose in the pool to fill it with water and remove any air gaps. Once the hose is already filled with water and there are no air bubbles, disconnect one end of the hose from the pool. 

Next, is initiating the siphon. 

Position one end of the garden hose in the pool, ensuring it reaches the desired water level. Place the other end of the hose at a lower point where you want the water to go. 

Note: You can consider using your nearby storm drain or the lower section of your yard. But there are some things to consider. See below. 

Water will start flowing through it, driven by the siphoning effect. It will continue to flow as long as the pool water level is higher than the drainage point. Ensure that the hose remains in place throughout the process. In this way, you can prevent any disconnections or clogs. 

Disconnect the hose to complete the process when you’ve drained your desired amount.

But, if you’re a pool owner with a pool pump at home, you can consider this next method instead. 

How to Drain a Pool using the Pool Pump

Draining a pool using the pool pump is a straightforward process. It requires careful steps to ensure it’s done in the right way. 

To begin, turn off the pool pump to disconnect its power source. Prepare a suitable drain hose and connect it to the waste port on the pump. Position the other end of the hose in your chosen drainage area. After that, open the air relief valve on the pool filter to prevent vacuum formation in the plumbing. 

Now, turn on the pump. The pump itself will draw water from the pool and discharge it through the hose. Always keep a close watch on the process to avoid any issues, such as hose disconnection or clogging.

Once you’ve achieved the desired water level or completely drained the pool, turn off the pump. Make sure to disconnect the hose and return the equipment to its normal operational mode.