How to drain pool quickly?

[jnorris]

I have a 18 x 40 vinyl pool. We have gotten 5 inches of rain in the last 48 hours, and are expecting more in the next day (thanks to Tropical Storm Alberto). What is the best way to drain some water out of the pool, before it overflows? Should I run the pump on backwash or rinse? Or is there another way to do it? Waste?

Judy

[duraleigh]

Should I run the pump on backwash or rinse? Or is there another way to do it? Waste?

All three. Give your filter a good backwash, rinse it and then take any extra water to waste.

[jnorris]

All three. Give your filter a good backwash, rinse it and then take any extra water to waste.

Thank you so much. I did just as you said, and lowered the level 2 inches.

Judy

[matkot]

Hi Judy,

If you just shut off the pump, turn the handle counterclockwise to waste and turn on your pump, it shouldn't take you long to drop the level. I have a DE filter and normal pressure is ~22 psi. I usually backwash it only when it raises to 28-30 psi. Otherwise you're adding DE when your really don't have to (& in my case, it's 6 lbs for every backwash).

Tom

[jnorris]

Hi Judy,

If you just shut off the pump, turn the handle counterclockwise to waste and turn on your pump, it shouldn't take you long to drop the level. I have a DE filter and normal pressure is ~22 psi. I usually backwash it only when it raises to 28-30 psi. Otherwise you're adding DE when your really don't have to (& in my case, it's 6 lbs for every backwash).

Tom

Mine is a sand filter, so I don't have the problem of adding DE. I ended up having to drain the pool 3 times since yesterday. We got 6 inches of rain from T.S. Alberto, and the water was already a little high. Whenever it got above the skimmers, I ran the pump to waste and drained out a couple of inches.

Of course, we will probably have a drought now, and I'll be paying money to add that water back in!

[Sherra]

I had to drain a few inches off mine this morning due to Alberto. I just put mine on "waste" and let it run for about 20 minutes.