How do TFPers Lower the Water in Their Pools

[Leonian]

I'm trying to close my pool DIY this year. From what I've been reading, it would make sense to lower the pool water to below my wall returns. I have a plaster on gunite inground pool which will have a mesh safety cover for the winter. In the past, our pool closing company has never asked us to lower the pool before closing. (As an aside the pool was almost overflowing when it was opened this past summer.)

It seems to me when emptying the pool, the skimmers should be closed once the pool gets down to the level of the bottom of the skimmer intake. Otherwise, you would be sucking air into the pumping system, no? I have my multiport on waste and am using my pool pump to pump water out of the pool.

I tried pumping water out exclusively from the main drain (i.e. with both skimmers closed). However, flow from just the main drain was exceedingly slow. Currently I have the main drain and my nearest skimmer open to the pump. In my skimmer I have a pool hose which is pulling water from the pool. Attached to the "pool end" of the hose I have tied a pool brush as weight so that that end doesn't come to the surface and suck air. (Jerryrigging photo attahched. Pool end of the hose can be seen near the pool light fixture.)

I have a feeling I'm making things more complicated than they need to be, so I'm looking for TFP feedback. Please.

 

[Newdude]

This 1.6 HP monster is $83 and will make quick work of it (as far as submersibles go) when paired with a larger hose. I happened to have a 1 inch backwash hose laying around so I'm currently using that and it has some serious power. One day I'll make the right adapter and convert to 1.5 inch for even more oomph. Those hoses don't have threads like a garden hose or 1 inch backwash hose.

 

[Homebrewale]

You don't necessarily need it to be a sump pump. A submersible utility pump will work just fine.

 

[Mdragger88]

Or Perhaps you already have a cover pump?

 

[Leonian]

Thank you all for your input. Much appreciated.