Closing above-ground pool: use existing pump to drain a few inches?

[PoolPablo]

Has anyone used their existing pump to lower their above-ground pool water level a few inches for closing?
If so: any advice?
If not: any reason why not?

I was thinking about attaching a hose to the "waste" outlet of my Hayward pump (approx 50 ft away from pool, via underground PVC) to lower the water level for the winter. I was going to use some extra vacuum hose to go from water into skimmer, to get the water level below the skimmer/return port (wasnt sure if the threaded pump waste outlet was standard ABS/PVC pipe fitting...)

The guy at the pool store said that would put "too much strain" on the Hayward pump, and just use a regular portable sump pump into the pool (which means I'd have to get an extra 50 ft of hose). Whether the water was recirculating into the pool, or going out to the yard, I didn't think this would be an extra strain.

Thanks for your insight!

 

[Bama Rambler]

I do the same thing. Right down to the vacuum hose in the skimmer idea.

The drain outlet on the filter should be 1½" NPT. At least ours is.

 

[PoolPablo]

I do the same thing. Right down to the vacuum hose in the skimmer idea.

The drain outlet on the filter should be 1½" NPT. At least ours is.

Thanks. That was the Great Escape; perhaps the guy misunderstood me.
I went to Leslie's, and talked to a couple pool-owning coworkers; they all said it should be OK (whether the return is back to the pool, or out to the street to drain, it's the same load on the pump).
Coworker reminded me to weigh down the end of the hose frmo the skimmer to the pool, as that end will float around otherwise.

 

[jlt19]

Thanks. That was the Great Escape; perhaps the guy misunderstood me.
I went to Leslie's, and talked to a couple pool-owning coworkers; they all said it should be OK (whether the return is back to the pool, or out to the street to drain, it's the same load on the pump).
Coworker reminded me to weigh down the end of the hose frmo the skimmer to the pool, as that end will float around otherwise.

I'm thinking of doing the same thing, but may only drain below the skimmer and plug up the return. I hate wasting all the water and having to refill in spring. I plan on just putting the vacuum head on the hose to keep it weighed down. Or really, I do need to vacuum before closing, so maybe I'll just vacuum to waste....