Need ideas for draining my pool without flooding the yard

Sometimes the best solutions are the ones that look a little weird but get the job done.

Totally agree - my last “solution” involved a broom, a tarp, and a lot of wishful thinking. Didn’t look great, but hey, less mud in the house. Has anyone tried those cheap plastic kiddie pools as a temporary catch basin? I keep thinking about just redirecting the water into one and letting it drain slowly, but I’m not sure if that’s genius or just asking for a backyard slip-n-slide.

I’ve actually tried the kiddie pool trick - once, when I was desperate and out of other ideas. It worked for about half an hour before the pool started to bow out and threaten a full-on tidal wave across the patio. Those things aren’t really built for much weight, especially if you’re draining a big pool. If you go that route, maybe reinforce the sides with something? Or only fill it halfway at a time.

What’s worked better for me is digging a shallow trench and laying down some old garden hose to direct the water further away from the house. Not pretty, but it kept my lawn from turning into a swamp. Has anyone else tried using those flexible downspout extenders? I’m wondering if they’d hold up to that much water or just pop off under pressure...

Has anyone else tried using those flexible downspout extenders? I’m wondering if they’d hold up to that much water or just pop off under pressure...

I’ve actually used the downspout extenders for a smaller above-ground pool, and they held up okay, but I had to secure them with duct tape at the connection points. Otherwise, they did start to slip off once the flow picked up. Not the prettiest solution, but it worked in a pinch. Have you considered using a sump pump with a long discharge hose? I found one on sale last year and it made things way easier - just ran the hose out to the street. Curious if anyone’s tried connecting multiple hoses together for extra distance... does that reduce the flow too much?

I’ve wondered about the flow rate too when you start chaining hoses together. Last summer, I tried connecting two garden hoses to reach the storm drain, and the pressure definitely dropped - took way longer than I expected. I think the narrower diameter and extra length just slow everything down. Has anyone tried using those flat, lay-flat hoses like they use for dewatering? I’m curious if they’d be more efficient or if they’re overkill for a backyard pool.

I get what you mean about the pressure drop. I’ve tried chaining hoses before and it’s always slower than I expect, even with decent water pressure at the spigot. The lay-flat hoses are interesting - I’ve only used them once when I was helping a buddy drain his flooded basement. They moved water fast, but they’re kind of bulky to deal with and you really need a pump to get the most out of them. For just draining a pool, maybe they’re a bit much unless you’ve got a big setup or want it done super quick.

Honestly, for most backyard pools, I think a single wide-diameter hose does the trick if you can manage the length. But if you already have access to one of those lay-flats and a pump, might as well give it a shot. It’s not overkill if it saves you hours standing around watching water trickle out...

Yeah, I’ve noticed the same thing - chaining hoses always sounds like a good idea until you’re standing there forever waiting for the water to move. I tried the lay-flat with a sump pump once and it was wild how fast it drained, but wrangling that hose after was a pain. For my small above-ground, I just use a fat garden hose and let gravity do its thing, but I have to babysit it so the water doesn’t pool in one spot and turn my yard into a swamp. Sometimes I’ll move the end around every half hour or so, just to spread it out. Not the most high-tech solution, but it works for me.

- I hear you on the lay-flat hose - those things are a beast to coil up after, and if you don’t get all the water out, it’s like wrestling a soggy python.
- Have you tried using a sprinkler attachment on the end of your garden hose? It sounds weird, but I rigged one up last year and it helped spread the water out way more evenly. Less swamp, more slow soak.
- If you’ve got a downhill spot or a part of the yard that drains better, maybe aim the hose that way? I’ve dug a little shallow trench before just to guide the water away from my patio. Not pretty, but it worked.
- One thing I’m still not sure about: does anyone actually use those pool drain bags? I saw them online - supposedly they filter and slow down the flow, but they look kind of gimmicky.
- Honestly, I think moving the hose every half hour is about as “high-tech” as most of us get. Unless you want to go full DIY and set up some kind of manifold system... but that’s probably overkill for a small pool.
- Curious if anyone’s found a solution that doesn’t involve babysitting the hose or digging up half the yard.

- Have you tried using a sprinkler attachment on the end of your garden hose?

I get the appeal of the sprinkler attachment, but honestly, I tried that last summer and it didn’t really help with the “swamp” problem for me. The water just pooled up in new spots. What actually worked better was using a soaker hose - just poked a few extra holes in an old one and snaked it through the garden beds. Slower release, less mess, and my plants loved it. Might be worth a shot if you’ve got an old hose lying around.

I hear you on the sprinkler attachment. I tried that trick once and ended up with a patchy lawn and a mini pond where I least expected it. The soaker hose idea is clever, though - slow and steady wins the race, right?

If you’re looking for another angle, here’s what’s worked for me when draining the pool: I rigged up a cheap sump pump with a long discharge hose and ran it out to the street gutter. Takes a bit of setup, but it moves the water away from the yard entirely. Just make sure to check your local rules about dumping pool water - some places get weird about chlorine runoff.

If you want to spread water over your lawn instead, try laying out several hoses in different directions and moving them every 30 minutes or so. Not exactly high-tech, but it keeps any one spot from turning into a mud pit. It’s a bit of a workout, but hey, free cardio.

What actually worked better was using a soaker hose - just poked a few extra holes in an old one and snaked it through the garden beds.

That’s a solid hack. Sometimes the best solutions are the ones you cobble together with what’s in the garage.

Has anyone tried using rain barrels or big storage totes to catch some of the pool water before it hits the lawn? I’ve wondered if that would help control the flow, or if it’d just be a hassle to empty them out later. Also, does anyone know if letting the pool water sit for a few days (to let chlorine dissipate) actually makes a difference for plants, or is that just wishful thinking?

I’ve actually tried the big tote thing before, mostly because I didn’t want to flood a patch of my lawn that always turns swampy. It worked okay, but emptying them was kind of a pain - had to tip them over or use a pump, which felt like just trading one problem for another. As for chlorine, I’ve read that letting it sit out does help, but I’m never sure how long is “long enough.” Has anyone tested the water after a few days to see if the chlorine’s really gone? Or maybe there’s a cheap test kit for that?

Dealing with totes is definitely a hassle, especially when you’re trying not to make a bigger mess than you started with. I’ve run into the same issue - pumping out water from those things can be more work than it’s worth, and tipping them over isn’t always practical if they’re full. Sometimes I wonder if it’s just easier to set up a temporary drainage line and let the water trickle out slowly over a few days, but then you’re still stuck monitoring it.

On the chlorine front, you’re right - letting it sit does help, but the actual time depends on sunlight, temperature, and how much chlorine was in there to begin with. I’ve used basic pool test strips before (the kind you get at any hardware store), and they’ll give you a ballpark idea if there’s any chlorine left. They’re not super precise, but for this purpose, they do the trick. Ever tried using one of those dechlorinator products? I’ve heard mixed reviews - some folks swear by them, others say it’s overkill for draining a pool. Curious if anyone here has had luck with that approach...

I’ve dealt with this a bunch - totes, pools, you name it. Here’s what’s worked for me: I run a garden hose from the bottom of the pool using a siphon (just fill the hose with water, cap one end, and drop it lower than the pool). It drains slow, but you can direct it wherever you want, and it won’t flood the yard if you move the end around every few hours. As for dechlorinators, I’ve used them when I’m in a hurry, but honestly, letting the water sit for a week or so usually does the trick unless you just shocked the pool. Test strips are fine for peace of mind, but I wouldn’t overthink it unless you’re dumping into a sensitive area.

Yeah, that’s pretty much how I’ve always done it too. Siphon with a hose is slow but way less hassle than messing with pumps or buckets. I’ve never bothered with dechlorinators unless I’m in a rush - letting the water sit works fine for me, just like you said. Only time I had issues was when I dumped right after shocking the pool and my grass got a little crispy... lesson learned. Your method’s solid.

Only time I had issues was when I dumped right after shocking the pool and my grass got a little crispy... lesson learned.

Been there - fried a patch of lawn so bad my wife thought I’d tried to torch weeds. Ever tried digging a shallow trench to direct the water further away? Curious if anyone’s managed that without turning the yard into a mud pit.

I tried the trench thing once, but I swear it looked like I was prepping for a tiny backyard river cruise. My neighbor kept asking if I was installing a moat. The water just kinda pooled in the trench anyway, and then the dog decided it was his new mud spa... total mess.

Has anyone had luck with those flexible drain hoses? I saw someone mention them on YouTube - like, you attach it to the pump and snake it out to the street or a flower bed. But I wonder if blasting chlorinated water onto your roses is any better than nuking the grass. Anyone accidentally killed off their landscaping trying that route?

Flexible drain hoses are a step up from the backyard moat, but they’re not a magic fix. I’ve seen folks run them out to the street, but you gotta watch for local rules - some places get cranky about pool water in the storm drain. As for the landscaping, yeah, if you dump a ton of chlorinated water on your roses, they’ll probably look like they went ten rounds with a weed whacker. If you can, let the chlorine level drop for a few days before draining. Otherwise, maybe aim for a patch of grass you don’t love... or just accept that your dog’s new mud spa is here to stay.

If you want to avoid turning your yard into a swamp, here’s a method I’ve used on a few jobs that works pretty well - just takes a bit of patience. First, test your pool water and let the chlorine drop as low as possible (under 0.1 ppm is ideal). Sometimes that means waiting a week or two, but your plants will thank you.

Next, grab a long flexible hose and run it downhill if you can, away from anything you care about - think fence lines, gravel paths, or that patch of weeds nobody’s claimed. If you’re worried about erosion or flooding, try spreading the flow out with a sprinkler attachment or even just poking holes along the last few feet of hose. It slows the water down and spreads it out so you don’t get one giant puddle.

If you’re in an area with strict rules about storm drains, double-check before sending anything to the street. I’ve seen folks get fined for that. And yeah, if you’ve got a dog, just accept there’s gonna be some mud wrestling... at least until the grass grows back.

That’s a really practical approach, especially letting the chlorine drop - I’ve made the mistake of draining too soon and watched my flower beds take a hit. I’m curious, though, has anyone tried using rain barrels or some kind of temporary storage to slow down the release even more? I’ve got an old brick patio that floods if I’m not careful, so I’ve wondered if collecting the water first might help.

Also, does anyone bother with digging a shallow trench or swale to direct the flow? My yard’s got some weird slopes thanks to being over a hundred years old, and water never seems to go where I expect. I’d love to know if that’s overkill or actually worth the effort.

Rain barrels are a solid idea, especially if you’re dealing with flooding around the patio. I’ve used a couple of those big blue barrels to slow things down, and it definitely helped keep water from pooling where I didn’t want it. As for trenches or swales, I dug a shallow one last year - nothing fancy, just a slight dip with a shovel - and it made a noticeable difference. It’s not overkill if you’re tired of surprise puddles. Just takes a bit of planning to make sure the water actually goes where you want... old yards can be unpredictable.