As a swimming pool owner, you know that there are multiple reasons you may have to completely drain your above ground pool’s water. Although this scenario is uncommon, some reasons range from needing to replace your pool liner to having poor water chemistry. Typically speaking, if you need to completely drain your pool’s water, there are likely other maintenance costs associated with it. Draining your above ground pool from start to finish is very achievable. If you’re willing to put the time and elbow grease into removing the water on your own, it can be a cost-effective way to save money!

Choose Your Draining Method

There are two main options that pool owners typically choose from when getting ready to drain their above ground pool; an electric pump or a garden hose siphon. Either choice will correctly drain your water. It’s a matter of preference, time, and equipment on-hand. Here is a round-up of each drain method and the steps needed to complete the process:

Electric Pool Pump:

1. Submerge the pump’s intake hose under the water, as close to the center of the swimming pool as possible.
2. Choose a space on your property for the pump’s outlet hose to drain. This area should be away from the pool and the ground should be level to avoid flooding.
3. Turn the electric pump on with clean, dry hands.
4. As the pump begins to run, make sure that your swimming pool’s water level is decreasing before you leave the equipment unattended as it drains.
5. Frequently check on the swimming pool to avoid any flooding or equipment malfunctions.
6. An electric pump will not drain out every inch of water from your swimming pool. Turn the pump off once the water level is too low for it to drain any further (6-12 inches deep).

Garden Hose Siphon:

1. The draining process can be completed with one garden hose, but the more you use, the faster your water will drain.
2. Submerge each hose completely so it fills with your above ground pool’s water.
3. Take one end of the garden hose out of the pool and place it in an area with level ground, where it won’t flood.
4. Keep the other end of the hose submerged in the water and make sure the liquid begins to siphon out of the pool.
5. Frequently check the siphon to ensure the water level continues to decrease and there is no flooding. This method drains at a slower rate compared to an electric pump.
6. Garden hose siphons will not drain all of your pool’s water. Remove the hoses once the water level remains stagnant (around 6-12 inches deep).

How to Remove the Remaining Water from Your Above Ground Swimming Pool

Both methods of draining will not completely remove all of your swimming pool’s water. There will be anywhere from 6-12 inches of standing water left at the bottom of your above ground pool, as noted in the steps above. The removal of this extra liquid can be done using a variety of methods and tools, including:

• Sucking up the excess water with a wet vac
• Sweeping the remaining water into the pool’s drain
• Removing the liner from the pool’s frame, flipping it over to dump the extra water onto your property

Additional Things to Consider When Draining Your Above Ground Swimming Pool

Although the process of removing the water from your swimming pool is straightforward, there are some risks associated with this maintenance process, specifically with the pool liner. If you are not draining your above ground pool to replace its liner, there are some important factors to consider prior to starting in order to protect the integrity of your pool, which include:

• Damage from the Sun: The water in your swimming pool helps to protect your liner from any damage that is caused by UV rays. Once the water is completely removed, your pool liner is at risk to warping from the sun. LinerWorld’s pool experts recommend draining your above ground pool when it’s overcast outside.
• Development of Mold: If you’re removing the water to relocate or store your pool over the winter season, it’s important that you take extra steps to prevent mold build-up on your pool’s liner. This common problem is caused by packing up your liner before it’s completely dry. Make sure to use towels or a wet vac to thoroughly dry the vinyl prior to storing it for the season.
• Loss of Shape: Above ground swimming pools hold their shape due to water. When about 75% of the liquid is drained, your pool will experience some loss of shape. It’s important to protect your pool from collapsing by draining it on a day where there are no high winds or bad weather that could cause the empty pool to become damaged.

Draining your above ground swimming pool from start to finish is an easy way to cut-down on maintenance costs. Prior to beginning this process, it’s important to plan out which drain method you want to use, make sure you have the proper equipment on-hand, and look at the weather forecast to minimize the risk of damage. LinerWorld always recommends contacting a pool professional if you have any questions or concerns prior to starting this process!

If you’re removing the water from your pool because you need to replace your liner, save even more money by shopping LinerWorld’s wide-variety of high quality, low cost swimming pool liners!