September 7, 2022 by HQ Pools

Water level is one of the most important aspects of owning a pool and making sure it’s running as efficiently as possible, whether it’s above ground or inground. Too low, and your pool filter and motor will get damaged from sucking in air, which is a costly fix. Too high, and your system will run inefficiently, which will require extra maintenance on your part.

The water level in your pool should be right around the midpoint of your skimmer. If it’s any higher or lower, follow these steps to get it to where it needs to be.

HOW TO LOWER YOUR POOL WATER LEVEL

There are a number of methods you can use to lower your pool water level, including using a submersible pump, using the pump drain, using your multiport valve, or simply by siphoning water.

HOW TO USE YOUR MULTIPORT VALVE

Your pool’s built-in multiport valve is an easy way to lower your pool water. Simply move the valve’s setting to “Waste,” turn the pump on until you reach the desired water level, and then turn the pump off. Once it’s done, you can move the multiport valve back to “Filter” to continue running the system like normal.

HOW TO USE A PUMP DRAIN

Cartridge filters don’t use multiport valves, they simply have a pump drain. Look for the drainage port, connect a hose to the spigot, and open the valve up. Let it go until the water is at the correct level.

HOW TO USE A SUBMERSIBLE POOL PUMP

Submersible pumps attach to a hose and are thrown into the bottom of the pool. Once it’s positioned correctly, plug it in and let it drain out to an area of your choosing until the water level is back to normal.

HOW TO SIPHON WATER FROM YOUR POOL

You can always use good old-fashioned physics to drain your pool. Start with one end of the hose in your pool, and the other end at a lower elevation. To begin the suction needed to create water movement, you can suck on the exit end if it’s empty, or by filling the hose and sealing it with a nozzle. Once you remove the nozzle, it should start siphoning.

HOW TO RAISE YOUR POOL WATER LEVEL

Raising your pool water level is much easier than lowering it–simply stick a garden hose into your pool and fill to the desired level, which is around halfway to three-quarters up your pool skimmer.

In rare cases where you need a lot of water added to your pool, you can usually contact your local water utility company to have them come out and fill your pool for you at an adjusted rate. If you live in an area with expensive water, there are some water delivery services available as well.

Once you are finished filling, make sure to balance your pool water since the addition of water will throw off the chemical composition.

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