When closing the pool how low should you lower the water?

Answer 1

We have a 25,000 gallon in ground pool and we drop ours about a foot below the skimmer and then blow out all the hoses and add antifreeze for underground hoses. My husband has done this for 12 years.

Or - you can get whats called a gizmo (I think) - and on each return valve screw in a PVC elbow with enough pipe connected to get it above the water line. When you do this you don't have to lower the pool water at all. The gizmo and elbows on the outlets let you blow the lines clear - without lowering the water. And the gizmo is softer plastic so it will absorb the expansion of the frozen ice in the skimmer and prevent damage there as well. In addition to the gizmo - I stick an empty plastic jug from the antifreeze used to keep the lines from freezing in the throat of the skimmer and also next to the gizmo - to provide exrta protection (keep the caps on so they don't fill with water - you want them to absorb the expandind freezing ice as well.

Once the lines are all blown - I insert a rubber stopper that has a screw and washer (basically so you can tighten it) onto each of the PVC's connected to the outlets.

Answer 2

There's a plumber's way: go to a hardware store and ask them for a faucet piece that will connect to an outdoor faucet to PULL water thru a hose from the pool. Some people purchase a quality "Little Giant" fountain pump that would have a garden hose fitting attached. You can then place the pump on the top step or support it over the coping. Most of these pumps do not shut off automatically, so keep an eye on its progress.

But basic physics offers a cheaper, if less precise, method: manual siphoning. Take a garden hose or any length of hose that will reach from your pool to wherever you want the water drained to and place the entire hose inside pool water to try and fill it with as much water as you can. Pull one end of the hose out toward your drainage area making sure the other end is securely left in the pool. You can literally suck on the end of the hose a few times until you feel the water coming out, and it will drain your pool.

As with a pump, keep an eye on the siphon. A good way would be to raise the end of the hose that is in the pool to or at the level in which you want the water to stop running. Mind you this is not an accurate way but it will keep your pool from draining below the skimmers.

Both ways work, but both require periodic checks. You do not want to have to add more water back into the pool.

Answer 3

Most pools have a backwash function in the filtration system that is connected to a drain line. It is normally used to remove debris from the filter . It actually uses water from the pool to do it thereby removing water.

Answer 4

When closing a pool, you should lower the water enough so that it is clear of all pipes and fittings. You should also be able to clean and clear your skimmer.