how to drain an above ground pool?
Answers:
The first question I have is why do you want to drain the pool! Are you removing It? If you are removing the water to clean up a really dirty pool then I would recommend against doing this since the pool liner will shrink once the water has been removed and will not reexpand.If you are going to remove the pool then I would attach my vacuum head and put it in the bottom of the pool and then either backwash the filter or turn the multiport valve to pump to waste and run the water off to a safe spot. This will usually work with a sand filter only!. If you have a D.E filter then remove the return line from the pool and run the water off to a safe place. When the water is too low for the vacuum head to work any longer then you could put some holes in the bottom of the liner to remove the last of the water. If you are selling the pool then the new owner will need a new liner anyway since they can't be reinstalled. If the pool is just really dirty then you are better off cleaning it. It will take some time but remember water is always water no matter how dirty it gets it can usually be cleaned of debris and algae. The only time I've ever seen the need to drain a pool is if it was contaminated with something strange like pesticides or mercury. I hope this Helps.I've been a pool guy for 30 years.
Other answers:
DRILL A BIG HOLE IN IT
DRILL A BIG HOLE IN IT
Assuming you have a pump to circluate the water, you should be able to change the pump to backwash. If you don't have a pump or if your pump doesn't have this feature, you may need to get a sump pump to do so.
Siphon it. Attach a garden hose to an outdoor faucet and put the other end in the pool (make sure it stays under water). Turn on the faucet until the hose fills with water. Then turn off the water and disconnect and place that end of the hose where you want the water to go. It must be lower than the surface of the water you are draining. It may take awhile, but it gets the job done.
I found a "sump pump" at a garage sale. These are use to to keep basements and crawl spaces clear. Its 110V and works very well. Think I paid 15.00 but they are like 25.00 in the stores.
OR
You could buy about 15 feet of vacuum hose (2 inch) and shipon <sp> the water out but this will take longer..
Rent a submersible pump and drain in to drain in the garden.
Use your vaccuum pool hose to syphon the water out , fill it up with water and throw it over the edge and when it gets down to about level with the water line get a pump ( or buckets)