How to Drain Water from Your Pool After Rain

Rainstorms can significantly affect the cleanliness and balance of your pool water. The heavy downpours often introduce debris like leaves, twigs, and dirt, which can throw off your pool’s chemistry and clog up your filtration system. Knowing how to properly drain water from your pool after a rainstorm will help you maintain a clean, healthy pool, and protect your equipment.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to manage your pool after rain and keep it in top condition.

Should You Drain Water from Your Pool After Rain?

It depends on the amount of rain and the condition of your pool. If it was just a light shower or sprinkle, you may not need to drain any water from the pool. However, it’s always a good idea to test the water to ensure it remains balanced. If anything is out of range, adjust the chemicals as necessary.

If the rainstorm was heavy, causing the pool to overflow and the skimmers to become submerged, it’s time to drain some water. Heavy rainfall can dilute the pool chemicals, impacting the pH, alkalinity, and sanitizer levels. Additionally, debris will likely remain in the pool, clogging up the skimmers and making it harder to remove.

Steps to Drain Water from Your Pool After Rain

Follow these simple steps to efficiently drain water from your pool and restore its cleanliness:

1. Clean the Pool Deck
   Start by sweeping the pool deck to remove any debris. Use a garden hose to wash away dirt and dust, making sure to spray away from the pool to avoid introducing debris into the water.

2. Manually Remove Debris
   Use a leaf net or flat skimmer attached to a telescopic pole to remove any leaves, twigs, or debris from the water's surface. If the skimmer and pump baskets are clogged with debris, remove those as well to ensure the filtration system works properly once it’s turned on.

3. Turn on the Pump and Filter
   Once the surface debris has been removed, turn on your pump and filter to get the water circulating. This will help filter out any smaller particles and contaminants the skimmer might have missed. If the power is out, wait until it’s restored but continue removing debris manually to prevent it from sinking to the bottom.

4. Brush the Pool
   Use a pool brush to scrub the walls and floor of the pool, especially around the steps and ladders. If your pool has a bottom drain, direct the debris toward it for easier removal.

5. Vacuum the Pool
   If there’s a lot of debris at the bottom of the pool, manually vacuum it out or let your automatic cleaner do the work. Be sure to set your filter to “waste” during vacuuming. This will prevent the debris from entering your filter and allow you to drain water at the same time. Keep vacuuming until the waterline reaches the halfway point of the skimmer plate (about six to eight inches from the top of the pool).

6. Drain the Excess Water
   If the water level is still too high after vacuuming, you can continue to drain it using a sump pump, or by backwashing the filter. Attach a backwash hose to the filter’s waste port and turn on the pump. Continue draining until the waterline reaches the desired level. Make sure to use a sump pump or a proper drainage system to avoid damage to the pool or surrounding areas.

7. Test and Balance the Water
   After draining the excess water, test the pool water for pH, alkalinity, chlorine, and other important levels. Rainwater can dilute the chemicals, so you may need to adjust them to bring the water back into balance. Pay particular attention to the pH, which may have dropped due to the rain, and also check your pool’s sanitizer levels to ensure it’s still safe for swimming.

Should You Shock Your Pool After Rain?

It’s generally a good idea to shock your pool after heavy rain, especially if the storm brought in a lot of debris or organic contaminants. Shocking will help restore proper sanitizer levels and kill off any bacteria or algae that may have formed. Be sure to wait until dusk before adding pool shock to avoid damaging your pool’s surfaces or equipment.

Preventing Pool Overflows Before a Storm

To save time after the storm, it’s helpful to prepare your pool ahead of time. Here’s how:

• Secure Outdoor Items: Remove any furniture or decorations from around the pool to prevent them from being blown into the water. This includes lounge chairs, grills, plants, and pool accessories like floats or toys.

• Balance Pool Water: Before the storm hits, check and adjust your pool’s water chemistry. Adding algaecide can help prevent organic contaminants from taking over.

• Check for Proper Overflow Systems: If your pool is equipped with an overflow system, make sure it is functioning properly. Consider lowering the water level slightly in anticipation of heavy rain. Be careful not to lower it too much, as this can cause pressure problems with your pool structure.

Safety Considerations

Always remember that water and electricity don’t mix. If there is lightning during the storm, stay out of the pool. Turn off all electrical equipment connected to your pool, including the pump and heater, before the storm hits to avoid damage or risk of electrical shock.

By following these simple steps and performing routine maintenance, you can keep your pool in optimal condition even after heavy rainfall. If you’re looking for reliable pool equipment or need help with pool maintenance, AQUASTRONG has everything you need to keep your pool clean and ready for swimming.