Draining an Inground Pool with a Garden Hose

Pools are a great resource for summer fun, exercise, and relaxation, but they don't always stay in use all year round. When it's time to close up the pool for the winter season, the process of draining it is an important task that needs to be done right. To help get you through the steps, here's a comprehensive guide to draining your inground pool with a garden hose.

Step 1: Preparing your Pool for Draining

The first step is often the most time consuming one. Using a wet-dry vacuum, clean the pool bottom and the walls of any debris that has sunk to the bottom or gathered on the walls. Draining the pool with debris left behind could cause damage to the liner, so it's important to get rid of as much debris as possible.

Step 2: Lowering the Water Level

Next, you'll want to lower the water level in the pool. This is typically done by attaching a garden hose directly to the skimmer. Once the hose is in place, connect it to a sump pump and turn it on. The water will start to move quickly and should lower the pool with a few hours. If you have a main drain, you can plug it with a rubber stopper instead to keep water from traveling out too fast.

Step 3: Vacuuming the Pool

Once the water level is lowered, you can start to use the wet-dry vacuum to get rid of any of the mud or debris that may have been left behind. Vacuuming the pool will also help to prevent any type of pool algae from growing.

Step 4: Draining the Pool

Once the water level has been lowered and the pool has been vacuumed, you're ready to begin the actual pool draining process. To do this, you'll want to attach the garden hose directly to the pool's skimmer. Once the hose is secured, turn on the sump pump, and the pool should begin to drain.

Step 5: Fasten the Plug

Once the swimmer drains, you'll need to fasten the plug that was originally taken out to attach the garden hose. This helps to keep the water from draining out too fast and keeps pool water from spilling out and making a mess.

Step 6: Clean Out the Filter

After the pool is drained, you'll need to clean out the filter. This prevents debris from building up and clogging the lines. Cleaning the filter should take about 15-20 minutes depending on the size of the filter.

Step 7: Storing the Hose

Once the pool is drained and the filter is cleaned out, you can store the garden hose in a dry, cool place until you need it again.

In Summary

Draining an inground pool is an important process that needs to be done correctly. Before you begin, make sure to clean the pool of any debris that could potentially damage the liner. Lower the water level with a garden hose and sump pump before vacuuming the pool. Finally, attach the plug and clean out the filter before properly storing the garden hose away.

Draining an inground pool can be done with the right knowledge and supplies, and with this comprehensive guide, you should have everything you need to get the job done safely and effectively.