How do I drain my pool?

Note: If your pool is a plaster pool, do not drain it in the summer months. The average temperature must be below 80 degrees F. to drain a plaster pool. It's best to let a professional drain a plaster pool.

In order to drain your pool you will need to use a special pump. A submersible pump or sump pump can be rented at most equipment rental stores. Be sure to check with your city to see if you may drain the pool into the street. Some cities do not allow draining the pool into the street, others require a permit before you do so. Cities can and do fine homeowners for violation of their pool draining rules. Another option, the one most frequently used, is to drain your pool into one of your sewer clean-outs. Your sewer clean-out is usually a black pipe sticking up from the ground at or near the base of the house in the front and/or back yard. It usually has a screw cap that can be removed to gain access. A permit is not required to drain the pool into the sewer clean-out in most cities.