
How to drain & lower water from your pool after rain
- Siphon it. This is probably the easiest method for lowering pool water. But first you will need to figure out what...
- Use your pump drain spigot. If your pump has a drainage spigot, this will be even easier than siphoning the water.
- Use a submersible pump. If there’s too much water for either of those methods to work...
- Turn off the pump,
- Change the filter multiport valve handle from "filter" onto "waste" (not backwash),
- Open any valves on the waste line,
- Disconnect suction cleaner & remove vacuum plate from skimmer box,
- Then turn the pump back on to lower the water level,
What should you do when it rains around your pool?
The first step you should take after it rains or a heavy storm is to check your pool’s water level. The chances are that your pool’s water level is far above where it used to be, or near the middle of your skimmer opening. The filtration and water chemistry can be negatively impacted when a pool’s water levels are too high.
How do I lower the water level in my Pool?
However, if you want to lower the water level to help keep your pool from overflowing when heavy rains or a hurricane is coming, you can decrease the level of water in your pool by one or two feet. Lowering the water level in your pool is a fairly simple process. If you have a multiport or dial valve, switch it to the waste position.
How does rain affect my pool water?
As a pool owner, it’s a definitely a question worth asking. Because after heavy rain, pools undergo a few changes on both a chemical and physical level. Rainwater affects pH and Alkalinity levels, while excess rainfall adds extra water in the pool that you don’t need. Not to mention all the contaminants that rainstorms sweep into your water.
How much should I lower my pool water before a storm?
If you want to be extra safe, you can lower the pool water by up to one foot before a heavy storm. However, don’t lower it any more than that. Hydrostatic pressure from saturated earth will put pressure on the bottom of your pool. It is crucial to keep enough weight from the pool water to counteract that pressure.

How do I lower the water level in my pool after it rains?
0:433:48Draining Down Your Swimming Pool After Heavy Rain - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipA good way to drain water in your pools. If you have this attachment to your plumbing. It'sMoreA good way to drain water in your pools. If you have this attachment to your plumbing. It's basically just a hose spigot plugged in to your equipment.
Should you drain pool after heavy rain?
If you have a typical rainfall, or even several inches, your pool should be fine, since drains and skimmers are designed to remove the excess water. In most cases, your pool can even handle rain from most tropical depressions and hurricanes.
What do you do if your pool overflows when it rains?
Draining Your PoolSiphon the water to lower the levels. Do be aware of where you'll put the water. ... Use your pump drain. Some pumps have drain spigots, and using this is much easier than siphoning. ... Try a submersible pump. ... Call us.
What happens to pool water level when it rains?
Heavy rains will dilute your pool alkalinity level, causing it to fall by 5-10 ppm a day. Low Alkalinity and low pH levels in pools can create a corrosive water environment. Corrosive pool water can result in the damage of underwater metal surfaces, such as pool lights, ladders and rails.
What if pool water is too high?
If the level is higher than that, it may slow or even stop debris from being pulled into the skimmer box through the plate or valve. This means that there will be floating debris left on your pool water surface as a result.
What happens if pool has too much water?
You don't need to drain your pool, as there is no risk to your pool by it being full. The only thing you lose with a pool filled to the rim is your skimmer's surface cleaning action. Overall, it still draws water and the equipment is just fine.
Can a swimming pool overflow when it rains?
We get asked this question every time there is a heavy rain. That answer is pretty simple when you think about it. The pool will only overflow by the amount of rain in excess of the amount of rain needed to fill the pool to the top.
Should you run pool filter while raining?
Answer: It should not matter much. It could help to filter debris and contaminants the rain washes into the pool. However, lightning can be a concern with the filter running.
Where does my pool overflow drain to?
The piping for swimming pool overflows can take the water into street gutters. The water escapes into the city's drainage system and down out into larger water bodies.
How do I get the last 2 inches of water out of my pool?
Since both draining methods will not drain pool water to the last bit, you need to remove the extra liquid left at the bottom....To do so, you can:Use a wet vacuum to suck the stagnant water.Sweep the liquid into the drain.Remove the pool liner and flip it over somewhere your property to get rid of extra water.
What will keep your pool clean and healthy for when the weather allows you to swim again?
Keeping all those levels in range is what will keep your pool clean and healthy for when the weather allows you to swim again.
How to keep a pool from overflowing?
2. Check the drainage in your yard. The best measure to keep your pool from overflowing and causing damage is to make sure that your yard drains properly; try running a hose to see where the water runs to and how fast. 3.
What happens if my pool overflows?
Most of the time, when your pool overflows, it's a big headache, but nothing that can’t be remedied.
How to siphon water from a pool?
To siphon the water, screw one end of a garden hose onto a spigot. Then submerge the other end of the hose into the pool completely . If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device. Videos you watch may be added to the TV's watch history and influence TV recommendations.
Why is it important to remove excess water from a pool?
When a pool overflows, it’s important to remove excess water quickly so that you can restore the chemistry levels. But if your yard is so flooded that it is still flowing in and out of your inground pool, you may have to do the best you can and then wait for your yard to absorb some of it.
What to do if playback doesn't begin?
If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device.
What happens if you flood your yard?
In that case, you may have landscape and structure damage, contaminated water, and various other concerns that come with a flooded yard.
What to do with pool water when it rains?
Be proactive in knowing what to do with pool when it rains. When a major storm is coming, outmaneuver it by lowering the level of your pool water before it strikes. Cutting a few inches away will be a big help later on.#N#Also, remove outdoor furniture to save it from dropping into the pool when the wind gets strong.
How to remove water from pool after rain?
But if there’s not a lot of debris, you may merely switch the filter to “waste,” attach a backwash hose and turn on the pump. Again, midpoint on the skimmer plate is the ideal level.
How to drain water from above ground pool after rain?
Keep in mind that before turning on your vacuum, make the filter adjusted to “waste” to remove any dirt and drain extra water. Continue vacuuming until all the junk is expelled. The waterline should arrive at the midpoint on the skimmer plate, which is approximately 6-8 inches from the pool.
How to protect pool from acid rainwater?
To protect your pool from the acid that rainwater brings, you must ensure that your pool cover is properly installed. Here’s a useful blog about how to keep pool from sagging.
How to prevent gas leaks in pool?
Disconnect all gas lines from your pool. Doing this will avoid gas leak when a storm hits hard and any form of inconveniences later on.
Can you remove pool water from your yard?
The ideal situation is, your yard will absorb the water. Then, you can remove some pool water and balance your water chemistry again.
Can a pool be damaged by rain?
Likewise, during rainstorms, your pool’s equipment can be messed up with the strong winds, eventually leading to damage.
How to clean a pool after a rain storm?
Here’s a quick checklist of what to do after a heavy rain so you can get back to enjoying your pool as soon as possible: 1 Remove debris from your skimmer and pump baskets. Leaves, small twigs, and who-knows-what-else can get caught in there during a storm. 2 Skim your pool to remove any debris on the water’s surface, including bugs. 3 Brush and vacuum your pool. 4 Lower the water level if needed. The ideal water level is halfway up the opening of the skimmer. There are several ways to reduce the water level, depending on your equipment.#N#If you have a Sand Filter: Set it to ‘pump to waste’.#N#If you have a Cartridge or D.E. Filter: Open the drain plug to drain excess water. You can also purchase an attachment for your filter that allows easily drain water away from your pool using a hose.#N#Invest in a Submersible Pump: These pumps vary in price depending on features, like how many gallons of water are pumped out per hour. 5 Have your pool water tested. Bring a water sample to your nearest Zagers Pool & Spa location for free water testing. 6 Rebalance the water. When you bring your water sample to the nearest Zagers Pool & Spa location, we’ll give you personalized step-by-step instructions for adjusting your chemicals and getting them exactly where they should be.
What to do if you have bugs in your pool?
Skim your pool to remove any debris on the water’s surface, including bugs.
Can you shock a pool after a rain storm?
A big rainstorm is going to add lots of contaminants to your pool, so it never hurts to shock your pool before an anticipated storm. However, there’s no harm done if you aren’t able to do so. After the storm passes, you can shock your pool and then bring us the water sample so you can rebalance it.
Can you swim in a little rain?
If it’s just a little rain, you’ll test your water, treat it with chemicals, and be swimming again in no time ! But a heavy rain is a different story.
Can rain affect pool water?
But some summer days bring heavy rains and those downpours can create a challenge for pool care. In addition to debris being blown into the water by the wind, the rainstorm can dilute the previously in-balance chemicals, impacting your pool water’s pH and alkalinity.
How to drain water from pool?
If you’re in a pinch, water can be drained by using a garden hose to siphon the water out. All you have to do is place the other end under pool water, ensuring it remains submerged. The other end should be at lower elevation. To begin the siphon process, you have to build negative pressure within the hose to begin the flow.
How long to run pool filter on rinse?
Turn power to pool pump back ON, running the filter for 1-2 minutes on RINSE.
What happens when you backwash a pool filter?
Once the backwashing has been completed, sand will be loose within the filter and needs resetting. This step also allows any dirty water remaining from the backwash to be rinsed from the filter , avoiding it being put back into the pool.
How to siphon water?
Sometimes, this can be done by quickly dropping the lower end of the hose. However, a common method is sucking the end to build negative pressure.
What happens if you don't drain water?
If not properly drained, it can create flooding issues for both you and neighbors. To avoid these type of issues, ensure water is draining into a sewer or the street. If you’re located in the country, simply look for a natural drainage path to safely carry water off.
Can you drain a pool liner with vinyl?
Once draining is finished, the pH level should be balanced, while more chlorine is added to return the level back between 1-3ppm. If the pool liner is vinyl, avoid draining it completely. You can loosen the liner this way, with potential of cracking during cold weather.
Does Papago Pool Service clean pools in Arizona?
If you are looking for pool cleaning services in Scottsdale, Arizona, Papago Pool Service can help! Get a free pool maintenance estimate by contacting us today!
How to prevent a pool from leaking during a storm?
Make sure you turn off all power before the storm. Turn off your pool pump and the timer if you have one. Cover the pump and filter if you have a cover. If not, remove it if you can do so safely. Turn off the gas to help prevent any leaks if you have a heated pool or hot tub. Prepare the pool water.
How much rain does it take to overflow a pool?
If you get more than five inches of rain in an hour, or if your pool wasn’t properly designed with sufficient overflows, then your pool may overflow, which can put you at risk of water getting inside of your home and causing serious damage. As your pool fills with water, it may overflow into your yard.
How to clean up after a storm?
If you find that your pool has overflowed, you may need to drain some of the water, following the steps above. Clean the skimmer baskets and use your pool rake to remove the debris floating in the pool. Then, vacuum your swimming pool.
Why does my pool deck crack?
The reason that you may see cracks in your concrete deck is when this normally dry soil expands when wet, causing an upward force which can elevate the entire deck. Once this has happened, even if just by a small amount, your deck will usually not go back to its original level.
What happens if you add too much water to your pool?
Having an excessive amount of water added to your pool in a relatively short timeframe can lead to several problems, among them, malfunctioning of your pool equipment, the accumulation of algae and deck damage.
Why turn off the suction line on a skimmer?
Make sure to turn off the skimmer suction line to prevent air from being sucked into it and causing damage to your pump motor.
What happens if your pool is full?
If your pool is completely full after a storm or heavy rainfall, you don’t need to take drastic steps such as emptying your pool. If you do, the hydrostatic pressure can cause your pool to come out of the ground.
What to do after heavy rain on pool?
Cleaning Your Pool After Heavy Rain. Once the rain subsides and the weather clears up, it’s time to go outside and assess the damage. The first thing you should do is remove any large debris. Fallen tree branches, blown patio furniture, and other large, obvious debris should be removed from the pool.
How much rain does it take to damage a pool?
The extent of the damage and the amount of rainwater it takes to have an effect depends on the size of your pool. But 1 to 3 inches is a good rule of thumb.
What is free chlorine in a pool?
There are three chlorine levels to be aware of in your pool. Free chlorine is the amount of chlorine that is free and ready to attack the bad stuff in your pool.
What is the best pH for a pool?
When it comes to taking care of your pool water, the two biggest concerns are pH and chlorine levels. While other water balance issues are important, these two issues have the most significant effect on the health and safety of your pool. It is important to keep the pH of your pool as close to 7.5 as possible.
How to protect pool from storm damage?
If you have a pump cover, place it over the pump before the storm hits as an added layer of protection. If you have a gas-powered water heater, you need to protect it from severe storm damage.
Why is it important to keep the pH of your pool as close to 7.5?
By keeping the pH close to the natural pH of your body, you avoid irritating sensitive mucous membranes.
When is the best time to use a pool in Georgia?
Summer is a great time to go out and use your pool. Whether you’re hosting a large pool party or just swimming laps alone, summertime is the best time to enjoy your pool. But here in Georgia summertime is also prime time for severe thunderstorms. While a small amount of rain won’t affect your pool very much, a storm that drops 1 to 3 inches in ...
What happens when rainwater runs off a pool?
When rainwater and ‘run off’ enter the pool, they can change your water’s pH, calcium hardness, total dissolved solids (TDS), alkalinity and other chemical levels as well as bring contaminants (e.g. debris, dirt) into the pool.
How does rain affect pool water?
This can affect anything from the pH balance to alkalinity levels and more . The pH of rain across the US, which is all acid rain, is due to industrial gasses (i.e.
Why is my pool water corrosive?
Because rainwater is generally acidic (see map showing pH of rainwater across U.S), then your pool water can become corrosive and cause damage to the plaster and metal parts of your pool. The extent of the chemistry issues you’ll experience will depend on how much rain you get. A light rain, for example, should have very little affect on your pool ...
Is rainwater coming off a deck bad for you?
When you have rainwater coming off your landscape or deck, you now have an added source of water to deal with.
Can you drain water from a pool skimmer?
Always be careful not to drain the water below the skimmer as you could run the pump dry and cause other problems. Speak to a local pool professional for assistance on re-balancing your pool water after a heavy rainstorm.
Can you drain sand from a vacuum?
It is also a good idea to drain excess water, bringing your water to an appropriate level for proper skimming. If you have a Diatomaceous (D.E.) or Sand Filter with a multi-port valve, you can simply put it from vacuum to waste mode, to eliminate the excess water without putting the water through the filter.
Is rain water bad for pools?
Aside from rainwater falling directly into your pool being a bad thing, something even worse can happen. When you have rainwater coming off your landscape or deck, you now have an added source of water to deal with. When rainwater and ‘run off’ enter the pool, they can change your water’s pH, calcium hardness, total dissolved solids (TDS), alkalinity and other chemical levels as well as bring contaminants (e.g. debris, dirt) into the pool. Because rainwater is generally acidic (see map showing pH of rainwater across U.S), then your pool water can become corrosive and cause damage to the plaster and metal parts of your pool.
