Common Ways to Lower the Water Level in your Swimming Pool After Rain

Most swimming pool owners have experienced high water levels in their swimming pool caused by a heavy dose of rain. When the water level gets too high in a pool, it can cause several different problems, the least of which is that the skimmer will stop working properly leaving much of the debris that enters the pool floating on the water's surface making the pool very unattractive. Depending on the unique characteristics of your swimming pool, there are many different ways to drain water after a rainstorm in order to bring the pool's water level back to the proper level.

Built In Drain - some pools have a built in drain that will automatically drain water when the water level reaches the drain. If your pool has a drain, you probably already know about it. One common problem with built in drains is that they can, and often do, get clogged with debris and stop draining. Your drain may need to be flushed out periodically.

In-Line Hose Bibb - many swimming pools have a hose bib plumbed into the pool equipment. When this is the case, a standard garden hose can be hooked up to the hose bib and placed in the open position. The excess water from the pool will be drained when the pool equipment is turned on. Make sure to monitor the pool's water level in order to avoid draining too much water, as this can cause other pool problems. If your swimming pool doesn't have a hose bib plumbed into the equipment, one can be installed by a pool service professional for a relatively nominal cost.

Pressure Side Pool Cleaner - if you own a pressure side pool cleaners (automatic pool cleaners that are propelled by water pressure), the hose used to provide the pressure to the cleaner can temporarily be used to drain water. Simply disconnect the pool cleaner head from the feed hose and place the hose in or near a drain. When the pool equipment is turned on, the water pressure that normally moves the cleaner will begin draining water from the pool and into the drain. Be sure to secure the hose in place because the water pressure will certainly make it move and you may get wet or the hose could end up right back in the pool, defeating the purpose. Again, monitor the water level carefully until enough water is drained from the pool, and then reinstall the pool cleaner.

Submersible Pump - the quickest way to drain rain water from your pool is with a submersible pump. If you own or can borrow a submersible pump, it shouldn't take more than an hour or two, depending on the size of the pump, to bring the pool's water level back to normal.



Keeping your swimming pool's water level at the middle of the skimmer intake will not only save you pool maintenance time and energy, but can also protect against many different pool repair issues. The next time there is a big rainstorm in your area that leads to the problem of the pool water level being too high, be prepared with one of these solutions in order to drain the pool to the appropriate water level.

 

 

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