How do you siphon water out of a pool with a hose?

There are a few reasons why you may need to siphon water out of a pool using a hose. The most common reasons are:

• Lowering the water level – To perform pool maintenance, make repairs, or prepare for closing.
• Removing contaminated water – If something falls into the pool and contaminates the water, siphoning can help remove the contaminated water.
• Preventing overflow – After heavy rain, removing excess water can prevent the pool from overflowing.

Siphoning water out of a pool with a hose is a relatively straightforward process. By using a few simple tools, taking safety precautions, and following the right steps, you can quickly and efficiently siphon water out of the pool.

What You’ll Need

Before siphoning water out of your pool, you’ll need to gather the following supplies:

• Garden hose – Use a hose that’s long enough to reach from the pool to wherever you’re draining the water.
• Submersible pump (optional) – A pump speeds up the siphoning process. You can use a manual or electric version.
• Hose clamp or zip tie – To firmly attach the hose to the pump.
• Cloth tape (optional) – To create a tighter seal between the pump and hose.
• Bucket or spare hose – For priming the pump if needed.

You may also need:

• Pool brush – To stir up debris on the bottom before siphoning.
• Skimmer net – To catch any debris that gets sucked into the hose.
• Chlorine or shock – To treat the remaining water after siphoning.

Safety Tips

When siphoning water out of a pool, keep these safety precautions in mind:

• Turn off the electricity to the pool before starting. This prevents any risk of electrocution.
• Have someone watch the hose outlet at all times to prevent flooding.
• Keep your head above water when handling submerged hoses and pumps.
• Keep children and pets away from the pool area during the process.
• Avoid draining the pool too low. Most pools should never be drained below the skimmer or tile line.
• Never leave the hose unattended as it could slip back into the pool and contaminate the water.

Taking these simple precautions will help keep you safe while siphoning your pool.

How to Siphon Water Out of a Pool

Once you have all the necessary supplies and safety gear, follow these steps to siphon water out of your pool:

1. Prepare the pool. Brush walls and floor to stir up sediment. Skim off any floating debris.
2. Turn off electricity to the pool at the circuit breaker. For safety, always turn off power before siphoning.
3. Place the submersible pump into the section of the pool you want to drain. Aim for the deepest area.
4. Attach one end of the hose securely to the outlet side of the pump with a hose clamp. Wrap tape around the connection if needed to prevent leaking.
5. Run the hose to where you want the water to drain. Consider drainage and erosion when choosing a location.
6. Optional: Attach a skimmer net to the opposite end of the hose to catch debris.
7. Hold the hose end at the drainage location higher than the pump so that gravity pulls the water through the hose.
8. Prime the pump if needed. Submerge the free end of the hose until water starts flowing out. You may need to pour water into the pump inlet using a spare hose or bucket.
9. Once primed, position the hose end in the drainage location. The pump will now siphon water out of the pool through the hose.
10. Monitor the pump and refill if needed to prevent it sucking in air. Use a net to catch debris as needed.
11. When the desired water level is reached, unplug and remove the pump. Remove the hose and drain any remaining water.

The key is positioning the pump lower than the drainage point so that gravity does the work. The pump simply gets the siphoning process started. Monitor the hose outlet the entire time to prevent any spills or flooding.

Using a Submersible Pump

While not mandatory, using a submersible pump speeds up the siphoning process significantly. Manual pumps rely solely on hose pressure. Submersible models provide active suction power to push the water out quickly.

Consider these tips when using a submersible pump:

• Choose an appropriately sized pump for your pool. Larger pools require more power to drain efficiently.
• Attach the pump to the hose securely to prevent leaking. Hose clamps paired with cloth tape make a tight seal.
• Position the pump in the deepest area for optimum performance.
• Clean the intake screen regularly to prevent clogging which can burn out the pump.
• Unplug the pump before removing it from the pool to prevent damage.
• Let electric pumps cool before storage to prevent overheating.

Properly installing and caring for a submersible pump allows for much faster draining compared to siphoning manually.

Draining Specific Sections of the Pool

In some cases, you may want to drain just one section of the pool rather than the entire thing. Here are some pointers for draining only part of the pool:

• Use expandable plugs to block drains in sections you don’t want to siphon. This forces the pump to only remove water from the exposed section.
• Place the pump directly in the section you want to drain such as a shallow end or wading area.
• Construct a weir or temporary barrier between pool sections using tape and plastic sheeting. Position it so water flows over into the draining section.
• Attach the hose to a vacuum head and manually vacuum the area. The vacuum will remove water only from that section.
• Insert a drain plug or unscrew the drain cap in the area you want to siphon. The water will drain out through the dedicated plumbing.

Draining just one area of the pool comes in handy when doing repairs, removing contaminated water, or lowering shallow sections.

Maintenance After Siphoning

Once you’ve siphoned out the desired amount of water, there are a few maintenance tasks you should perform:

• Clean up any debris left behind – Use your pool brush and vacuum to remove silt, leaves, and other debris.
• Check water chemistry – Test and adjust chlorine, pH, alkalinity, and other chemical levels as needed.
• Inspect equipment – Make sure pumps, filters, skimmers are functioning properly after running dry.
• Watch water level – Refill slowly if drained significantly. Marking a water level makes it easy to return to normal.
• Brush pool surfaces – Siphoning can leave dust and silt on the walls, floor, and tile line so brush these areas.
• Run the pump and filter – Circulate the water for at least 12 hours after refilling to distribute chemicals evenly.

Taking the time to tidy up and balance the water after draining will help keep your pool Sparkling clean and prevent problems.

FAQ About Siphoning Pool Water

Here are answers to some common questions about siphoning water from a pool:

How long does it take to drain a pool with a submersible pump?

Depending on the size of your pool and power of the pump, draining can take 2 to 10 hours typically. Small above-ground pools may only take a few hours while large in-ground pools could take up to a full day.

What problems can happen from draining a pool too low?

Letting the water get too low can damage the plaster finish, pop tiles loose, or cause electrical equipment like lights to overheat. Most pools should never be drained below the tile line or skimmer opening.

Is it necessary to prime the pump each time?

Priming is only needed the first time you use the pump in a session. Once the pump is primed and pumping, it will continue siphoning until air bubbles get in the line.

How often should I check the pump while draining?

It’s a good idea to check the pump every 15-20 minutes. Refill with water if needed to prevent it from sucking in air and stopping the siphoning process. Also clean the intake screen regularly.

What should I do if the hose comes out of the pool while siphoning?

First, turn off the pump! The hose will continue sucking in air and won’t re-start siphoning. Place the hose back underwater. You may need to re-prime the pump by filling it with water before turning it back on.

Is it okay to drain water onto grass or landscaping?

Generally, it’s fine as long as the area has proper drainage. The nutrients in the water can actually benefit lawns and plants. Avoid draining onto paved areas due to algae growth.

How can I prevent debris clogs when siphoning?

Use a skimmer net on the hose outlet to catch leaves, dirt and bugs. Also clean the pump intake screen often. Starting with a clean pool reduces the amount of debris sucked up during draining.

Conclusion

Siphoning excess water out of a swimming pool is a useful maintenance skill to have. By using a submersible pump, hose, and some simple accessories, you can efficiently remove water from your pool when needed. Pay close attention to safety, proper setup, and maintenance afterward. With the right technique, you can easily maintain proper water levels and keep your pool Sparkling all season long. Don’t hesitate to contact a pool professional for help if you have any issues getting the siphoning process working smoothly. Taking care of your pool ensures you can enjoy a refreshing swim whenever the mood strikes.