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how do you drain an above ground pool for the winter

by Ethelyn Keeling Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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  • Put the pool pump’s intake hose under the water; it should be as close to the center of the pool as possible.
  • Pick an area where you’ll like the water drained from the pool to run. ...
  • Turn on the electric pump.
  • When the pump begins running, ensure that your water level is decreasing before leaving the equipment.
  • Always check on the pool to prevent flooding and equipment malfunctions.

Full Answer

How do you drain an above ground pool?

You can drain the water in an above-ground pool with these easy steps. Put the pool pump’s intake hose under the water; it should be as close to the center of the pool as possible. Pick an area where you’ll like the water drained from the pool to run. The area should be away from the pool and the ground should be level to prevent flooding.

Should I drain my above ground pool in the winter?

Lower the water levels but never completely drain an above ground pool. Lowering the water level prevents excessive expansion of the water, which could crack the skimmer, but draining it completely puts unnecessary strain on your pool cover, liner and pool wall when snow and rain water collect on top. Yikes!

How do you close an above ground pool for the winter?

A Step-by-Step Guide to Close your Above Ground Pool for the Winter. Others lower the water in the pool below the returns (where the water jets into the pool) and the skimmer. Either method is fine — the choice made is based on personal preference. Important: Never completely drain an above ground pool. This can cause your pool to collapse.

What is the best way to winterize my Pool?

A large, clean and new trash can may be an ideal location for winter storage. You’ll also want to drain the pump and filter, and store indoor or out of the elements. You can use a wet/dry vac, or a pail and sponge, but most people move the water to one side and then with 2-3 sets of hands spill the water over the edge.

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Do you need to drain an above ground pool for winter?

A: It's not a good idea to drain an above ground pool for winter. Snow, ice, extreme cold and errant debris will likely cause significant damage to a pool sitting out exposed to the elements. It's also expensive and time consuming to refill and chemically balance a new pool full of water in the spring.

How do I winterize my above ground pool?

How to Close Your Above Ground Pool in 10 StepsStep 1: Deep Clean. ... Step 2: Balance your Water. ... Step 3: Add Winterizing Chemicals. ... Step 4: Add Pump Protector. ... Step 5: Protect Your Return and Skimmer. ... Step 6: Prepare Your Filter for Hibernation. ... Step 7: Clear the Pool. ... Step 8: Set Up Ice Equalizer Pillow.More items...•

How do you completely drain an above ground pool?

5:288:14How to DRAIN an ABOVE GROUND POOL (Even Without A Pump!)YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPlace that end of the hose on the ground. And then turn off your spigot. This should create a siphonMorePlace that end of the hose on the ground. And then turn off your spigot. This should create a siphon at this point. And water should be draining from your pool out of the hose.

How far down do you drain your pool for winter?

Drain the water down to no more than 6 inches from the bottom of the skimmer if you plan to use a standard floating winter cover. Use your pool filter, switched to the "Drain" setting, to empty the pool water.

How much water should I drain from my above-ground pool for winter?

4 to 6 inchesIn most cases, you will want to drain the pool to be at least 4 to 6 inches below the top of the skimmer. This allows adequate space for expansion of the water throughout the winter without risking damage to the pool.

Does an above-ground pool freeze solid?

An above-ground pool freezes solid when the temperature drops below 32 degrees F. If you live in a cold climate, this is not uncommon. The water will freeze and become hard as ice. Some people think that they can thaw it out by running warm water over it.

Will above ground pool collapse without water?

An empty pool (or as little as 1/4 filled) and an exposed liner on a hot day can cause the liner to shrink from the heat and deem the liner useless. An empty pool is also susceptible to collapse. Especially, in high winds and/or bad weather.

Should I drain my above ground pool to get rid of algae?

DON'T DRAIN IT! Depending on factors like water temperature, the amount of solids in the pool, and the capabilities of your pool filter system, the process can take 3 days or 3 weeks. Start up the Filter – Without a properly working filter, the water will never clear.

Will draining a pool damage the liner?

If you drain your pool you can cause your vinyl pool liner to shrink and upon refilling, if the liner has lost its elasticity it can cause the liner to rip or tear. The liner can also become hard and brittle. The older the vinyl material is the more likely this is to happen.

Should I drain my pool below the skimmer for winter?

Although it may seem scary to leave water in a pool during freezing temperatures, you can actually damage your pool more by removing too much water. Your water should only be drained so it sits just below the skimmer and jets. This helps make sure that no water can get into the pumping system.Feb 8, 2019Make Sure Your Pool Has the Proper Water Level This Winter!https://a-1poolsandspas.com › 2019/02 › make-sure-your-...https://a-1poolsandspas.com › 2019/02 › make-sure-your-...Search for: Should I drain my pool below the skimmer for winter?

Can I leave water in my pool over winter?

Did you know you are supposed to leave most of the water when doing your pool closing? You may naturally assume it's best to completely drain your pool of water for the winter months, because you fear the water will freeze and cause damage. Actually, it's not good to leave your pool empty when the weather gets cold.Leave Most Water When Doing Your Pool Closing! - HFS Financialhttps://www.hfsfinancial.net › why-are-you-supposed-to-l...https://www.hfsfinancial.net › why-are-you-supposed-to-l...Search for: Can I leave water in my pool over winter?

Is it OK to leave a pool uncovered in winter?

In short, no you don't. Your pool won't be damaged beyond repair or needing a major cleanup if you choose to go without a winter cover. But winter swimming pool covers protect your pool against an array of problems that you likely don't want to deal with come pool opening season.Dec 27, 2018Can I Keep My Pool Uncovered all Winter? - In The Swim Bloghttps://blog.intheswim.com › can-i-keep-my-pool-uncove...https://blog.intheswim.com › can-i-keep-my-pool-uncove...Search for: Is it OK to leave a pool uncovered in winter?

What chemicals are needed to close above-ground pool?

What chemicals do I need to close my pool?Chlorine.Pool Shock.Soda Ash.Baking Soda.Muriatic Acid.Winter Algaecide.Pool Antifreeze.Stain and Scale Prevention.

Should I shock my pool before I close it?

Before closing your pool, you need to make sure that the pH level in the pool is between 7.6-7.8, the pool alkalinity is 80-100 and the calcium hardness is 150-250. You also need to shock your pool with a chlorine shock to bring the chlorine level to 10-12 ppm.

How to keep water from escaping from a hose?

You can also use a clamp or crimp the hose with your other hand to keep the water in.

How to remove a severed hose siphon?

For the severed hose siphon, you'll just remove your hand once you've lowered the un-submersed end to the ground and let the water drain.

Why is my pool chemistry bad?

In fact, the more chemicals you add, the worse it gets. It's caused when there is too much pool stabilizer (or cyanuric acid ) in the pool or when the pH levels are unbalanced.

Can you drain an above ground pool in winter?

In fact, draining it for the winter is not really advised because it can cause your liner to dry and crack from the wind and cold. But...there are a few reasons you might have to drain your above ground pool. And if you do have to, there is usually no need to call a pro. You can very easily do it yourself if you know how.

Can a siphon pump be used to remove water?

I personally recommend using a combination of the two because siphoning is pretty fast, but a pump will help remove that last foot or so of water that the siphon can’t quite get to.

Can you dump a pool into the sewage system?

You'll need to check with your city to see if there are any special ordinances governing pool water disposal, especially if you're draining an entire pool: some cities require it to be dumped into the sewage system due to the chemicals.

Can a garden hose drain a hose?

If you're only draining it partially to correct the chemistry, then a garden hose will do the trick without the extra expense.

How to get water out of a pool line?

1. Use a wet/dry vac to blow the water from out of your lines, then plug the lines with expansion plugs; or. 2. Use a swimming pool antifreeze (note: not a regular antifreeze you use for your car) in the lines and just follow the manufacturer’s instructions. For the return line, seal it with a winter pool plug.

Why is it important to cover a pool in winter?

A winter cover is important for your pool because it will protect the water during the months when it’s not in use. Installing a pool cover can be cumbersome, so I always recommend getting help! Lay the cover out over the pool, making sure there is overlap on all sides. Get it as even as possible all the way around.

What does shocking a pool mean?

Shocking your pool is basically an industry term for super-chlorinating or oxidizing your pool for the purposes of killing off any bad stuff that your regular chlorine doesn’t kill.

What is in a pool stain preventer kit?

Most kits contain a winterizer, shock, a stain-preventer, and a floater. In addition, you will need to buy a good algaecide. At this point, you should have already shocked your pool and it’s time to add the stain-preventer that comes in your kit.

Why is water pool chemistry balanced?

The water pool chemistry needs to be balanced in order for your other pool chemicals to work efficiently. Balanced water will also result in less damage to your pool liner. Normal levels should be:

How long does it take to get a pool ready to swim?

It will take you days or even weeks to get it swim-ready again! And if you just leave your pool completely uncovered, you’ll have to deal with cleaning out your pool (in frigid cold temperatures), re-balancing your pool water, and contending with freeze damage. And nobody wants to do that.

Why is my pool cloudy?

If the levels are high, they can cause calcium build-ups that make the water cloudy and cause sightly stains . If your pool’s calcium hardness is too high, put a little extra effort into scrubbing it and vacuuming in the next step. Also turn on the pump so that excess deposits can be filtered out.

Why does chlorine lock in pool?

Chlorine lock occurs when you put a lot of pool stabilizer in the pool that causes the pH level to unbalance. Here, the best way to solve this issue is to put fresh water. And what’s better than draining your pool to get this job done.

How to drain a severed hose siphon?

For the severed hose siphon method, remove your hand immediately after lowering the other end to the ground. As this will be the un-submersed end, the water will start to drain out quickly.

Can you use a bucket to change a pool liner?

However, if you can’t ford to break your bank in this equipment , you can also try using a bucket to remove the water until the pool is almost empty.

Can you use a rake on a pool?

All in all, try not to use sharp objects like a rake or shovel that can damage the pool’s interior. Instead, it’s always best to aid for softer edges that can do the trick for you.

Does an above ground pool drain more water?

As a general rule of thumb, it could make you drain more water if you own an in-ground pool. The above-ground pool includes a removable pump and skimmer system that can keep draining small sums of water to maintain the quantity.

How to cover a pool in winter?

Some homeowners who have children or pets and have a deck with at least 3 ft of deck space all the way around their pool may prefer to cover the pool with a safety cover over the winter.

How to close an above ground pool for winter?

Before closing your above ground pool, make sure the water is clean, clear and chemically balanced. Adjust the chemical levels if necessary. Chemically balanced water protects the pool from corrosion or scale buildup that can occur while the pool is not in use.

What to do if your pool is plumbed?

This can cause your pool to collapse. Step 7. If your pool is plumbed with detachable, flexible hoses, remove them and store for the winter. Remove all drain plugs from the pump, filter tank, and any other pool equipment. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific pump, filter and other equipment.

How to lower water in pool?

Some people insert a skimmer guard into the skimmer and plug the return line. Others lower the water in the pool below the returns (where the water jets into the pool) and the skimmer. Either method is fine — the choice made is based on personal preference.

How to clean a chlorine chlorinator?

Clean the filter, skimmer, and pump basket. Remove all unused chlorine product from the chlorinator. Cartridge filter elements and D.E. grids should be cleaned and stored. If you have a sand filter, backwash it.

Can you use bricks to cover a pool?

Never use bricks, concrete blocks, etc. to secure the cover because they can damage your pool cover or your pool. Place a cover pump in the center of your pool cover to drain excess water accumulation. Too much water on top of the cover can cause the cover to rip, or it can pull the cover and wall bags into the pool.

Do you need air pillows in a pool?

Air pillows are commonly used, but not absolutely necessary. They are a good idea in colder climates in case the water freezes and expands. The water will freeze inwards on the pillow instead of outwards which can potentially damage the pool wall.

How Do I Drain the Last 100 Gallons From My Intex Pool?

Before you do this, however, deflate the top ring on Easy Set™ or disassemble the frame pieces for Frame Set™ pools.

Where is the drain valve on a pool?

The drain valve is located on the outside of the pool . Run a garden hose out, with the female end near the drain valve. Connect the other end to a sprinkler, and water your lawn or garden (if pH is good and chlorine low). Remove the cap.

How to use talc in Intex pool?

As a final step, using Talc or DE powder can help to absorb trace moisture. Screw your pool drain cap back onto the drain valve, so it won’t get misplaced . Fold your Intex pool for storage, fold the wall part of the material in on all sides, then with two people, pull one side of the pool over to meet the other side.

How to stop water from coming out of Intex pool?

On some Intex pools, you may need to screw a Hose Adapter on to the female garden hose end and then thread the hose adapter into the drain valve. This will prevent the water from coming out immediately when you remove the drain cap.

How to store Intex pool for winter?

How to Dismantle and Store your Intex Pool for Winter. Check your pool chemistry levels to be sure that you are not draining water that may contain very low pH or very high chlorine levels. Think about where you will drain the pool to – be aware of any laws regarding discharge of pool water. Locate the drain valve on the outside of the pool.

How many steps to drain Intex pool?

That’s our super-simple six-step system for draining your Intex Frame-Set ™ or Easy-Set ™ pool. Take the time to do it right and you’ll enjoy many more years of fun with your Intex Pool.

Can you drain an Intex pool?

It’s always best to drain or pump out an Intex pool slowly. With the Easy Set pools, you may be tempted to deflate the top ring, and just sort of roll the water out. This can be dangerous! Not just to nearby plants or mulch beds, but the pool can rip or develop holes during the process.

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