So you’re looking for the best pump to drain pool water…
I know the thoughts that go through a pool owner’s mind when the weather warms up.
Ugh, it’s that time again. Then you check the pool water chemistry, hoping that they don’t need draining after the pools have been closed all winter.
Or worse, worrying something terrible has polluted the water, like finding a decomposed dead animal in the pool skimmer.
Listen, since 2007, I’ve dealt with all sorts of pool water problems. Out-of-balance pool chemistry to start my summer pool season is easy to fix.
On the other hand, dead rats, birds, rabbits, bugs, and lots of spiders, not so easy…
Never go through these hassles again…
I take a bottle of pool water to Leslie Pools.
Wait in line.
Get the results.
Make some water changes.
Then, take another bottle of water in a few days to get tested.
Repeat the process a few more times while going crazy.
Here are the items from my water analysis that generally need fixing:
- Free Available Chlorine
- Total Available Chlorine
- Calcium Hardness
- Cyanuric Acid
- Total Alkalinity
- pH
- Copper
- Iron
- Total Dissolved Solids
- Phosphates
Maybe you’re a beginner dealing with pool chemistry problems for the first time and you want an easy solution? Keep reading for the answer…
Solution: Time to Drain Your Swimming Pool
Look, last year, when I opened my pool, I did something different after I got my depressing report. I drained my pool.
That may not sound like a big deal to you, but it is to me because my pool holds 22,000 gallons of water, and I imagined the mess that would make.
Think about this moment – having 22,000 gallons of water flooding your backyard.
Now, you can understand my pain…
Annually, I would follow the instructions the pool technician would give me, and still, there would always be something else I would need to do or a chemical I needed to buy to fix my pool water chemistry.
I thought I’d rent a pump at Lowes a few times, but I never did.
Then, last year, while I was shopping for my yearly supply of pool chemicals on Amazon I noticed submersible pool pumps.
After researching sizes and flow rates – I decided to buy a 1/2 horsepower submersible pump.
The red pump shown in the pictures above is the one I bought. It’s multi-functional and has an auto shut-off when the pool water level gets low, so it doesn’t burn up the motor.
For less than $50, I got the best pump to drain pool water and added another DIY tool to my pool maintenance arsenal.
My pick
- If you need the pump to work in a low water level environment (the water level does not exceed the pump), the float switch need to be locked on the pump.
- The working principle of the water pump is that the float switch goes down vertically, the beads inside are stuck on the line under the float switch, and the water pump starts automatically.
- ⚡⚡【Kindly Tip】When you start use the pump you must be submerged into the water at a slight angle to allowthe remaining air to escape.⚡⚡
Let’s go deeper into my submersible pump experience…
The submersible pool pump I bought drained about 15,000 of the 22,000 gallons of pool water into my back lawn in about 8 hours. (Correct – I didn’t have to drain it all to fix my problem.)
Believe me, this is not something I wanted to do, but it was pretty easy to do after buying the best pool drain pump with an extra-long hose.
I set up the pump on Saturday afternoon, and by Sunday morning, I thought my pool was drained enough so that when I added clean water, it would correct the issues. Luckily, my estimate to partially drain the pool was good enough, and the updated water test report was positive!
The label says the MAX flow is 2115 GPH, which worked well.
As I said, I have been trying to balance the water chemistry every year for over a decade.
Usually, it would take about 3 trips back to Leslie’s to get the water re-tested. I’d wait in line each time behind someone who had 50 questions.
This year, when I test my water, if it’s too much out of whack, I’ll drain my pool again.
Besides, I’d rather spend $28 on fresh, clean water to swim in than on all the chemicals the Leslie Water Analysis Report says I need to add.
Runner-ups
Pump to Drain Pool (alternatives)
- 【Powerful Pump with Stable Performance】This item is constructed of hi-impact corrosion resistant plastic, 1.5HP sump pump moves up to 4500 gallons per hour tackles any draining job at a fraction of the time.
- 【AUTOMATIC ON/OFF SWITCH 】 Acquaer pool cover pump has a automatic switch. It will automatically turn on when water has been detected at 2 ''. When the pump remove water to approximately 2/5 ", the pump will run for additional 60 seconds and then turn off.
- Powerful Performance: Experience unparalleled efficiency with the MEDAS 1HP Submersible Pump, boasting a 3434GPH flow rate and 31ft vertical lift, perfect for everything from pool drainage to garden irrigation.
Note: Water and electricity do not mix, so I purchased a new 100′ long heavy-duty extension cord to use with my pump. I wanted to ensure I had plenty of extra cord to run along the top of my pool fence off the wet ground.
Best Pool Drain Pump Accessories for DIY
- 1-1/4″ x 24′ Universal Discharge Hose with Adapters
- 100′ Heavy Duty Outdoor Extension Cord
- Heavy Duty Extension Cord Storage Wheel
FAQ – Draining Your Swimming Pool Water
1. Where do I drain my pool water? In Litchfield Park, where I live, the city doesn’t allow draining pools into the street gutter, so I drain the water on my lawn.
2. How much water do you drain? My pool is 22,000 gallons, and I drained out about 15,000 gallons.
3. How long will it take to drain your pool water? My 1/2 HP submersible pool pump took about 8 hours to drain about 15,000 gallons at ~2000 GPH.
4. Does all that water on your lawn flood your backyard? I was surprised by how quickly the water got absorbed into the ground. Never did it look like it was puddling.
5. How much did your water bill cost to refill your pool? Last July, my water bill went up about $28.65 when I refilled my pool at .00191 cents per gallon.
That concludes this DIY tip, and now it’s your turn…
Every pool is different, so would you share your pool water story in the comments below? It would be a great addon to this best pump to drain pool water tips.
Also, if you’re a new pool owner who’s just learning how to service your swimming pool, I also recommend that you check these DIY pool maintenance tools.
Ads last updated on 2024-04-13.
How do I deal with the remaining dirty water at the bottom of my swimming pool?
The sump is not working, is there a pump that will drain the remaining water?
Thank
Cliona