How to Siphon Water Out of Your Pool

Pools are awesome accessories to your home, but they do require maintenance. One of the most important things you can do to improve their lifespan and quality is to regularly siphon and replace your pool's water. But that's not always as simple as pushing a button, so that's where we come in. By following the steps in this article, you'll learn how to siphon water out of your pool with minimal fuss and hassle.

To siphon water out of your pool, In short, you'll need a hose and a place to drain the water. It also helps to have your pool elevated above where you're trying to drain it.

Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about how to siphon water out of your pool, keeping it happy and healthy.

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Why Should You Siphon Your Pool's Water?

If you live somewhere that it rains a lot, this will become very familiar to you, very quickly. Pools generally keep a rather steady water level, but excess rainfall can not only cause it to overflow but also potentially cause a chemical imbalance.

Chemical imbalances are actually a pretty big concern to your pool's health. The chemicals that are used in pools are designed to keep bacterial growth minimal without damageing your skin. If the chemicals come out of balance for any reason, you risk damage to your pool as well as, potentially, chemical burns.

Read Next: How to fix a noisy Lay-Z Spa pump.

How to Siphon Water From Your Pool

This is actually a rather easy process, for which you'll need a few things. First and foremost, ensure your drainage area is below the pool in elevation. This will allow it to not only work more easily, but prevent the water from building up around the pool and potentially getting back in.

To do this, you'll need a standard garden hose (the wider the better), a hose cap, and a drainage area. Hands are also encouraged, though not technically necessary.

Step 1

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Make sure your drainage area can handle the amount of water you're about to pump out. It's also generally good to check local regulations, as some municipalities require you to pump pool water to a specific place. If you don't have a sanitary sewer nearby but can't legally pump the water to the street, look for a house drain or sewer cleanout.

Remember that storm drains are not designed to take pool water and its chemicals, and it's actually illegal to drain into them in most places. Always check with local authorities before doing this, especially if it's your first time. They will often have helpful tips and advice to give you.

Step 2

Place one end of the hose into your pool, feeding it slowly in until only the last ~20 cm are unfilled. Your hose should be entirely submerged at this point.

Holding the opposite end of the hose, lower it below the top of your pool. Then, screw your hose cap onto the end while it's still submerged, and carry it to your drainage area.

Step 3

Place the hose on the ground or near your drainage area. Once it's where you want it, remove the hose cap and the water should begin to drain. If you're putting the water into a sewer or drain, keep an air gap between the hose and drainage area. You don't want contamination from whatever you're draining into to make it back to your pool.

Step 4

Continue to allow the water to drain until you're at the desired levels, then replace the cap. You can allow excess water still in the hose to drain back to the pool if you're not emptying it.

Wrap up your hose, and you're done! Easy as that.

Preventing Damage From Siphoning Water Out of Your Pool

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Yes, you read that right - siphoning water from your pool can cause damage if not properly handled. Pools are, as one might think, designed to exist with water in them. This means that there are a few things to look out for when fully draining a pool.

Weather Damage

Especially if you live somewhere with severe winter weather or cold conditions, pools are extremely susceptible to the elements. Once you've removed water from the pool, it's important to act quickly. The loss of water and a cover can allow excess water to freeze, as well as damage to the frame of the pool.

If you have a fibreglass pool, your risk of damage from cold conditions is even higher, so be sure to drain on temperate days.

Sun Damage

The sun damages most things in life, and pools are no exception. Pools are designed to be protected from the sun with the water. Siphoning water out of your pool can compromise that in sunny weather. This can lead to cracking and warping thanks to UV rays.

Just as above, make sure to not drain your pool on extremely hot days.

Mould

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Mould is a problem anywhere there's excess moisture and dark spaces. To prevent your liner and pool frame from moulding, ensure they're entirely dry before storing them.

There are also chemical treatments you can use in full pools, so once it's refilled, it's generally best to do that just in case. Just give it a chemical shock product and brush the interior of your pool before hopping in.

Other Ways to Siphon Water Out of Your Pool

There are a few gadgets and methods to help you drain your pool. You can:

1. Use an electric pool pump, though these are not generally included with pools. They cost money, but they're honestly worth the investment.
2. Use a wet vacuum. These are great for getting the remaining bits of water out of the bottom of your pool that a siphon can't get.
3. Sweep excess water into the drain with your pool brush.This seems obvious, and it is. This is more time-intensive than other options, but it'll get the job done.
4. Depending on your pool, remove the liner. If your pool has a removable liner, you can simply upend it and allow excess water to drain. Just be careful not to forget about it!

Final Thoughts

If your pool is in need of drainage, there are a lot of ways to do that. Whether it's electric or manual, you can pretty easily siphon water out of your pool. Just be sure to look into local regulations on where to siphon it. And if you're looking for a toastier solution to a good soak, check out our article on the best inflatable hot tubs on the market!

And, as always, make sure you're finishing the job! A pool isn't finished draining until it's entirely dry - you don't want to risk damageing your pool due to forgetfulness.