Pumping off the winter cover with a fountain pump

[Larryh86GT]

This is my first year closing a pool and I am still learning what will work best for my pool. With all the leaves I know I have to get a leaf net next year. I bought a 264 GPH fountain pump at Harbor Freight for around 12.00. It comes with various fittings and works quite well. I took a plastic gallon jug and drilled a lot of holes in it. Putting the fountain pump in the gallon jug and then submerging it in the water keeps the leaves from clogging up the pump. A couple of smooth round rocks in the container also keeps it weighed down. View attachment 43696View attachment 43698

 

[Texas Splash]

Interesting. So you just place this on top of your cover to prevent it from accumulating excess water and collapsing? Do you ever anticipate any problems with freezing?

 

[Larryh86GT]

It is not an automatic left out there forever pump. Just drag it out and use it to get the excess water off when needed. We are definitively expecting freezing here. I would post before and after pictures of the pool but have reached my maximum allowed photos.

 

[Texas Splash]

Understood. Certainly a lot more convenient to plug that thing in during bad weather as opposed to manual labor. Nice idea.

 

[Larryh86GT]

Ah ha, photo bucket - Before pumping the water off:



After pumping the water off:

 

[Texas Splash]

Wow, certainly a big difference.