During the off-season, it is crucial to ensure that your swimming pool remains covered once it is no longer necessary to add chemicals or keep the pool pump running due to dropping winter temperatures. If you find yourself unsure about the optimal time to close and cover your swimming pool, I recommend checking out my article titled “Best Time to Close Your Pool,” which provides comprehensive guidance on when to prepare your pool for the seasonal change.
When you cover your swimming pool, be prepared for occasional rain, sleet, and snow to accumulate on top of the cover. This added moisture can create unwanted stress, leading to potential damage to both your cover and pool walls. Therefore, it’s essential to know how to effectively remove this water.
How to Remove Water from Your Swimming Pool Cover
The easiest method to eliminate water from the surface of your pool cover is by using a submersible pump. Simply place the pump on the cover and let it do the work of siphoning the water out automatically. Alternatively, you can manually prime a water hose by filling it with water from a nearby faucet, ensuring all air is removed before disconnecting it and setting it on a downhill slope.
Removing Water Using A Submersible Pump
I personally use a 1/3 horsepower thermoplastic submersible pump that works exceptionally well for removing water from my pool cover throughout the winter season. This method is efficient, quick, and requires no special skills or luck to drain the water as needed.
- Connect a standard water hose to your chosen submersible pump. Some pumps may require an adapter to connect the exit drain of the pump to fit a regular water hose. Most new pumps come with this adapter included if necessary. Before placing the pump in the water, ensure it is designed to be fully submerged.
- Check for kinks or bends in the connected water hose and position the other end on a downhill surface where the water can be safely drained.
- Plug the pump into a power outlet, preferably an outdoor outlet if available. The pump will start suctioning water off the pool cover and through the hose. Note that it may take a few moments for the pump to begin its operation until all the air is expelled from the system.
Are Submersible Pumps Safe?
As we all know, water and electricity do not mix, and improper handling can lead to electrical shock. This raises the question of whether submersible pumps are safe to use since they are submerged in water. The answer is yes, these pumps are specifically designed with safety in mind to be used underwater without significant risk of electrical shock.
Read your owner’s manual and adhere to all warnings prior to use. If the pump is not used correctly or malfunctions, there is a risk of electrical shock.
- The pump’s motor is housed in a watertight casing, which prevents water from entering areas that could cause damage or electrocution.
- Long, insulated power cords are sealed with waterproof neoprene, ensuring that no water comes into contact with the internal electrical components.
- Additionally, epoxy is used to fill the junction where the cables meet the motor housing, effectively blocking any water ingress. This prevents water damage that could lead to pump failure and mitigates risks associated with electric shock.
These pumps are engineered to operate underwater, with some models capable of functioning at depths exceeding 10 feet. All necessary precautions have been taken to ensure they operate safely and efficiently while performing their intended function.
Siphoning Water Manually Using a Water Hose
If you don’t have access to a pump, there’s no need to worry! You can easily siphon the water off your pool cover using just a water hose. Check out this quick video tutorial to learn how to do it in under 60 seconds. If you prefer not to invest in a submersible pump, siphoning off the water is quite straightforward with just a hose and a faucet.
Before you start, ensure you have a hose long enough to reach your water faucet, and follow these simple steps to begin removing water from your swimming pool cover:
- Securely attach the water hose to the faucet spout.
- Inspect the hose for any kinks, bends, or obstructions, and position the other end of the hose on the pool cover.
- Submerge the end of the hose completely underwater to prevent air from entering the line.
- Place a rock or brick on the hose to keep it submerged at all times.
- Turn on the faucet, allowing water to flow into the hose. This step is essential to fill the hose completely with water and eliminate any air pockets. If air remains, water will not flow effectively.
- Watch for air bubbles as the water enters the hose. Once you observe no air bubbles and the water is flowing smoothly, turn off the faucet.
- Carefully remove the water hose from the pool cover and position it on the ground at a lower elevation than the pool cover, allowing the water to begin draining off. If water does not drain, check for kinks in the hose or residual air in the line.
- These steps may require a bit of practice, and you might need to repeat the process a few times to achieve a steady flow of water being drained. If the flow stops, you may need to go through these steps again.