Submersible Pumps

Submersible Pumps

It is convenient to have a submersible pump available for lowering the pool water level.

When draining pool water there is always the risk of forgetting and getting the water too low and the pump running dry. Using your pool pump risks an expensive pump. You would rather accidentally damage an inexpensive submersible pump then an expensive pool pump.

There are many submersible pumps available at hardware stores and online. The pumps do not pump anywhere near their claimed GPM through a garden hose. If you use a regular garden hose that is ~50' long you will most likely get less than 10 gpm output. A 1/3-1/2 HP Utility pump works fine with a garden hose.

Usually you want a "utility pump" and not a "sump pump". You don't need an expensive one with a float switch. The float switch can make draining difficult if you place it on a step in the shallow end.

With the submersible utility pump you will need a garden hose that will reach to a safe point to discharge the water and an outdoor rated heavy duty extension cord that will reach a GFCI outlet.

Pumps mentioned by members include:

• Lanchez 1.6 HP Sump Pump Submersible
• Flotec FP0S1300X-03 Tempest Fpos1300X Multi-Purpose Water Removal Utility Pump
• Superior Pump 91330 1/3 HP Thermoplastic Submersible Utility Pump
• Superior Pump 1/3 HP Submersible Thermoplastic Utility Pump
• Drummond 1/3 HP Submersible Utility Pump
• Geyser Series Submersible Utility Pump, .5-HP Motor

Use Caution if Left In Pool Continuously

Leaving a submersible pump in the pool can create rust stains. Cheap submersible pumps are not designed for continuous submerged applications. They are designed as point of use water removal devices. The cheap ones often have externally exposed metal screens that are not high quality stainless steel. These pumps are not designed for moving water over long periods of time and pool water can easily become corrosive towards metals when chlorine and chloride are present.

Safety

• Do not swim with a sump pump in the pool, whether it is plugged in or not.
• Always plug the pump into a GFCI outlet unless it has a built in GFCI in the cord
• Use a heavy duty outdoor rated extension cord
• Ensure the extension cord connection cannot fall into the water
• Plug the extension cord into the outlet only after you check that everything is ready
• Do not run the pump dry or it may be damaged

.