How to Lower Your Pool Water Before a Hurricane

Preparing your swimming pool for a hurricane involves more than just covering it or removing furniture. One of the most critical steps is knowing how to safely drain water from your pool before a hurricane hits. But before you pull the plug, let’s get one thing straight: completely draining your pool can cause serious structural damage. The key is to lower your pool water level, not empty it.

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Why You Shouldn’t Fully Drain Your Pool Before a Hurricane

It’s a common mistake: homeowners believe removing all the water will protect their pool from flooding. In reality, completely draining your pool before a storm can lead to major issues, including:

  • Pool popping or lifting due to high groundwater pressure
  • Cracks or damage to your pool shell or liner
  • Increased vulnerability to flying debris

Instead, the safest strategy is to partially drain the pool, lowering the water by 1 to 2 feet, or just below the skimmer line, to prevent overflow without putting your pool at risk.

When to Lower Pool Water Before a Hurricane

When a named storm or hurricane is forecasted to impact your area, it's crucial to begin preparing your pool well in advance. One key step in hurricane pool preparation is lowering the water level 12–24 hours before the storm hits. Avoid waiting until the last minute, as conditions can become hazardous quickly. Monitor weather forecasts closely and create a hurricane pool prep plan that allows you enough time to secure your pool equipment, remove loose items, and protect both your pool and property from potential damage.

How to Lower Water in Your Pool for a Hurricane

How to Drain A Pool with a Cartridge Filter

For those pools that have a cartridge filter, there are two ways to achieve this.

1. Using the Drain Plug

  • Shut off the pump
  • Go to the back of the filter and unscrew the drain plug
  • Turn the pump back on and let the water run until it reaches the point where you want to drain the water out
  • Turn the pump back off and put the plug back into the drain plug

2. Using the Drain Valve - If your system has a valve in between the pump and the filter.

  • Shut the pump off and rotate the valve so that it blocks the water going to the filter
  • Turn the pump on and the water will come out of the opening
  • When you get to the point where you've taken out enough water, turn the pump off and turn the 3-way valve back to the regular position. This way water can pass from the pump into the filter again.

How to Drain a Pool with a Sand Filter

  • Turn the pump off
  • Roll the backwash hose for your sand filter out into the yard or approved draining area
  • Rotate the multiport valve on the top or side in a clockwise direction to the “Waste” position
  • Turn the pump back on
  • After you get the correct amount of water out of your swimming pool, turn the pump back off
  • Rotate the multiport valve from the "Waste" position, in a clockwise direction, back to "Filter."
  • Pick the backwash hose up to help drain all the water out and roll it back up.

How to Drain a Pool with a DE Filter

  • Manually shut the pump off at the breaker box
  • Turn the multiport valve on the DE filter in a clockwise direction until you get to "Waste"
  • Turn the pump back on. When you've taken enough water out of the swimming pool, turn the pump off
  • Rotate the handle on the multiport valve in a clockwise direction until you get back to "Filter"
  • Turn the pump back on.

If you're not sure how to drain your pool before a hurricane, our pool care experts can help you. We’re here to help you protect your pool and your property before and after the storm. Visit your local Pinch A Penny store to get a quote today so you're prepared for tomorrow.


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