Can I drain my pool water on the lawn?

Author: Lucio Ritchie  |  Last update: Wednesday, May 11, 2022

A freshly chlorinated pool should not be discharged into the yard; the chlorine is harmful to yard plants and the environment as a whole. Using a test kit, your pool water needs to reflect a certain concentration of chlorine, such as 0.1 ppm (parts per million), before it is safe to drain into your yard.

Where do you drain pool water to?

The best way to drain the pool is to empty it directly into the sanitary sewer line outside your home.

Will draining pool water kill grass?

If an individual empties their pool water on their lawn, will it end up killing the turf? In most cases very little to no damage has been seen in these situations. Turf can endure higher chlorine levels than other landscape plants such as trees, shrubs, and ornamentals.

How can I drain my pool without flooding my yard?

All you need is a medium-size water or vacuum pump.
  1. Unroll the pump's intake hose so that it reaches the center of the pool (or as close to it as possible), and submerge it in the pool.
  2. Place the outlet hose so the exiting water doesn't flood the area, but drains off away from the pool.
  3. Dry your hands thoroughly.

How do you clear a pool without killing the grass?

Avoid Setting Up On Grass

To avoid killing your yard, look for a location like a porch, deck, or patio that you can place the pool on instead. Also consider raking out a layer of sand to place the pool on and remove the grass from that spot completely.

How I Drain My Pool - Using Pool Water on the Lawn

How long can you leave a pool on grass?

Never leave the pool up for longer than one day. A pool can smother a grass lawn, preventing it from receiving essential light and air.

Can I drain pool water into the street?

Pool water should never be drained to the street or the storm drain. Storm drains in the Bay Area typically run into local creeks, rivers and the bays.

How long does it take to drain a pool with a garden hose?

The average outdoor spigot on a home can produce up to 12 gallons per minute. A small pool can be filled in a few hours, while a large one can take 14 hours.

Is it OK to completely drain an above ground pool?

As noted, typical maintenance or winterizing your pool shouldn't require you to completely drain the water. You risk damaging your pool liner and the structure of your above ground pool.

Can I put pool water on my garden?

A: It's a waste, but fresh pool water is not safe for irrigating plants. It's because the chlorine in pool water is very toxic to plants. If the chlorine level is low enough, it's possible to use it. ... During hot weather, chlorine is added to pool water more often than during cool weather.

Does chlorinated water hurt grass?

In most situations, your pool water will have no effect on the grass growing around your swimming pool. Dripping swim trunks and splashes from diving and gameplay aren't going to have a significant enough effect on the grass or soil to make a difference.

Does pool backwash harm grass?

* Can i discharge the backwash water onto my lawn, will it harm the grass / plants? The DE doesn't harm the grass or plants, excessive chlorine or saltwater may. Alternatively you could backwash to a sewer outlet or clean-out.

Do pools need to be drained?

Even with proper and regular pool maintenance, it's often necessary to drain your pool — completely or partially — every 3-5 years. Draining your pool often isn't necessary, especially if you're following a proper and regular maintenance program.

Where is the overflow drain on a pool?

Swimming pool builders often install overflow drains near the rim of the pool that prevent flooding most of the time. If you don't have an overflow drain, or if it is clogged, it is possible for periods of unusually heavy rain to overflow your pool.

Does an above ground pool have to be drained for winter?

You'll need to keep draining water off the cover with a pump or siphon to protect it from damage. Important: Never drain an above ground pool completely when winterizing. Your vinyl liner can dry out, shortening its life considerably.

How much water can I drain from my pool?

It's acceptable to drain the pool a few more inches below that if you live in an area that gets heavy precipitation during the winter months. Some pool professionals even suggest draining the water to as much as 6 inches below the skimmer — about the level of the bottom of the pool's return jet.

Can you siphon a pool with a garden hose?

As a general rule, if the local regulations require that you backflush your pool filter into a sanitary sewer, you should siphon any excess water into a sewer cleanout or house drain. Insert one end of a ¾” garden hose into your pool.

How do you Dechlorinate pool water?

Simply stop adding chlorine to your uncovered pool and wait. Sunlight will help to naturally dissipate the chlorine within 10 days. During that time, use a swimming pool test kit to measure chlorine. Chemically dechlorinate the pool water.

How do I get the grass smell out of my pool?

If the odor still lingers, baking soda is a convenient way to remove the smell. Mix one teaspoon of baking soda to one quart of water to make a solution. Pour this solution into a spray bottle and spray the dead grass patch in your yard. Baking soda is very safe to use on your lawn.

Should I put a tarp under my Intex pool?

At the bare minimum, yes you should put a tarp underneath your Intex pool. Inflatable pools, Bestway and Summer Ways pools will also benefit from a tarp. What is this? Although a tarp will help protect your pool there are far better choices such as foam tiles or proper commercial under pool pads.

What can I put under my grass in my pool?

Things You Can Put Under Your Pool
  1. Concrete Pads.
  2. Commercial Pads.
  3. Sand.
  4. Solid Foam.
  5. Carpet Padding.
  6. Flooring Underlayment.

What do you do with old pool water?

But did you know there's an easy way to reuse the water that's already in the pool? All you have to do is recycle it! Meet reverse osmosis — the best way to purify your swimming pool water. It works by pushing the existing water through semipermeable membranes that hold off any impurities, particles, and buildup.

Previous article
How much water can a pool lose in a day?
Next article
How long should I run my pool pump for?