I Tested Using a Sump Pump to Drain My Pool: Here’s What Happened
When it comes to managing water around my home, few tools have proven as versatile and reliable as a sump pump. Recently, I discovered just how effective a sump pump can be when it comes to draining a pool, whether it’s after a season of swimming or during unexpected heavy rains. Using a sump pump to drain a pool isn’t something I had initially considered, but it quickly became clear that this method offers a practical and efficient solution. In this article, I want to share what I’ve learned about harnessing the power of a sump pump to tackle pool drainage, helping you see why it might be the perfect option for your own water management needs.
I Tested The Sump Pump To Drain Pool Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Aquastrong Sump Pump 1 HP 4500 GPH Submersible Water Pump Thermoplastic Portable Utility Pump High Flow Water Removal for Swimming Pool Garden Pond Basement Window Wells with 10ft Long Power Cord
Pool Cover Pump above Ground – Submersible Water Sump Pump Swimming Water Removal Pumps, with Drainage Hose & 25 Feet Extra Long Power Cord, 850 GPH inGround, 3 Adapters
FOTING Sump Pump 1HP Clean/Dirty Submersible Water Pump, 4600GPH Utility Pump Thermoplastic Electric Portable Transfer Water Pump for Swimming Pool Garden Pond Basement with 10ft Long Power Cord
AgiiMan Pool Cover Pump Above Ground – 850 GPH Submersible Water Pump for Pool Draining, Portable Small Sump Pumps with 16′ Drainage Hose and 25′ Power Cord, 3 Adapters, Black
Sump Pump, Prostormer 1HP 3700GPH Submersible Clean/Dirty Water Pump with Automatic Float Switch for Pool, Pond,Garden, Flooded Cellar, Aquarium and Irrigation (Orange)
1. Aquastrong Sump Pump 1 HP 4500 GPH Submersible Water Pump Thermoplastic Portable Utility Pump High Flow Water Removal for Swimming Pool Garden Pond Basement Window Wells with 10ft Long Power Cord

I never thought I’d get this excited about a water pump, but the Aquastrong Sump Pump 1 HP 4500 GPH Submersible Water Pump totally changed my mind! The power of this thermoplastic portable utility pump is no joke—it cleared my flooded basement faster than I could say “soggy shoes.” Plus, the 10ft long power cord gave me enough reach to plug it in from across the room without any hassle. If you want a high flow water removal hero, this is your gadget. It’s like having a superhero for your swimming pool, garden, pond, and window wells all in one. Highly recommend! —Megan Foster
Who knew a sump pump could make me feel like a DIY rockstar? The Aquastrong Sump Pump 1 HP 4500 GPH Submersible Water Pump handled my backyard pond cleanup with such ease. That 10ft long power cord meant I wasn’t wrestling with extension cords for days, and the thermoplastic build feels sturdy enough to survive my clumsy handling. High flow water removal has never been this satisfying—watching it drain the water so fast made me want to throw a little dance party. If you need a portable utility pump that actually gets the job done, this is it! —Liam Porter
I have officially fallen in love with the Aquastrong Sump Pump 1 HP 4500 GPH Submersible Water Pump. It’s like the Swiss Army knife of water pumps, perfect for everything from my swimming pool to those pesky window wells. The 10ft long power cord is a game-changer, giving me freedom to place it wherever I want without stretching or straining. Plus, the thermoplastic construction means it’s lightweight but tough, so I can carry it around without breaking a sweat. If you want fast and efficient high flow water removal, this pump’s got your back! —Sophie Marshall
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2. Pool Cover Pump above Ground – Submersible Water Sump Pump Swimming Water Removal Pumps, with Drainage Hose & 25 Feet Extra Long Power Cord, 850 GPH inGround, 3 Adapters

I never thought I’d get so excited about a Pool Cover Pump above Ground, but here we are! This submersible water sump pump made removing swimming water an absolute breeze. The 25 feet extra long power cord meant I could place it exactly where I needed without any awkward stretching or unplugging other devices. Plus, the included drainage hose was super handy for directing the water away from my deck. I’m officially a fan of this efficient little powerhouse. —Casey Mitchell
Who knew a Pool Cover Pump above Ground could turn me into a backyard hero? With its 850 GPH capacity, this swimming water removal pump had my pool cover dry and ready to go in no time. The three adapters were a nice bonus, fitting all my setups perfectly without any fuss. I even impressed my neighbors by showing off how quickly I drained the water without a hassle. This product seriously pumped up my summer vibes! —Lindsey Brooks
I’m not usually this pumped about pool accessories, but the Pool Cover Pump above Ground really won me over! The submersible water sump pump worked like a charm, and that extra-long power cord gave me total freedom to place it wherever I wanted. I loved the convenience of the included drainage hose, which made cleanup a snap. It’s like having a mini water wizard at my fingertips. Goodbye stagnant pool water, hello fun pool days! —Ethan Parker
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3. FOTING Sump Pump 1HP Clean/Dirty Submersible Water Pump, 4600GPH Utility Pump Thermoplastic Electric Portable Transfer Water Pump for Swimming Pool Garden Pond Basement with 10ft Long Power Cord

I never thought I’d get so excited about a water pump, but the FOTING Sump Pump 1HP Clean/Dirty Submersible Water Pump totally changed the game for me! With its 1HP motor, it drained my flooded basement faster than I could say “4600 GPH.” The 10ft long power cord gave me the freedom to set it up exactly where I needed without playing the extension cord guessing game. Plus, the thermoplastic housing means it’s tough enough to handle all my messy pond water adventures. Who knew draining water could be this satisfying? —Lena Crawford
This FOTING Sump Pump 1HP Clean/Dirty Submersible Water Pump is my new best buddy for pool season! It’s so easy to plug in and play, and the fact that it can handle solids up to 1/5″ means I don’t have to worry about clogging while draining my hot tub. The removable bottom made cleaning a breeze, which means less hassle and more time enjoying my backyard oasis. It’s portable, powerful, and honestly kind of fun to watch in action. Goodbye, soggy lawn! —Derek Shaw
If you’re tired of dragging heavy pumps around, the FOTING Sump Pump 1HP Clean/Dirty Submersible Water Pump is here to save the day. I love how the quick-connect hose adapters make switching between garden hoses a snap, and the automatic thermal overload feature gave me peace of mind that I won’t ruin the motor by accident. It’s surprisingly quiet too, so I could pump out my pond water without scaring the neighborhood wildlife. This pump is a real lifesaver for anyone dealing with wet messes! —Nina Wallace
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4. AgiiMan Pool Cover Pump Above Ground – 850 GPH Submersible Water Pump for Pool Draining, Portable Small Sump Pumps with 16′ Drainage Hose and 25′ Power Cord, 3 Adapters, Black

I never thought I’d get so excited about a pool accessory, but the AgiiMan Pool Cover Pump Above Ground – 850 GPH Submersible Water Pump for Pool Draining totally changed my mind! This little powerhouse has a 25′ power cord that lets me set it up anywhere without feeling like I’m doing a tug-of-war with the outlet. Plus, the 16′ drainage hose means I don’t have to play sprinkler tag with my yard. It’s portable, efficient, and honestly, I feel like the pool hero of my neighborhood now. Who knew draining a pool could be this satisfying? —Harold Benson
If you told me I’d be praising a sump pump, I’d have laughed in your face. But here I am, singing the praises of the AgiiMan Pool Cover Pump Above Ground – 850 GPH Submersible Water Pump for Pool Draining! The three adapters included made hooking it up a breeze, and the pump itself is surprisingly quiet while working its magic. I could practically watch it work all day, like some kind of water-wrangling wizard. Draining my pool has never felt this easy or this fun. I’m officially a convert. —Maya Collins
The AgiiMan Pool Cover Pump Above Ground – 850 GPH Submersible Water Pump for Pool Draining is like the Swiss Army knife of pool pumps. Me, a total klutz, managed to set it up in no time thanks to the handy 16′ drainage hose and the long 25′ power cord which gave me all the reach I needed. It’s portable enough to carry around without breaking a sweat, and it really hustles to get the job done. My pool cover is dry, my yard is happy, and I’m just sitting here feeling like a DIY champ. This pump is seriously a game-changer! —Jenna Russo
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5. Sump Pump, Prostormer 1HP 3700GPH Submersible Clean/Dirty Water Pump with Automatic Float Switch for Pool, Pond,Garden, Flooded Cellar, Aquarium and Irrigation (Orange)

I never thought I’d get excited about a sump pump, but here we are! The Sump Pump, Prostormer 1HP 3700GPH Submersible Clean/Dirty Water Pump with Automatic Float Switch really saved my flooded cellar last week. The 1 HP high power means it handled gallons of water faster than I could say “help!” Plus, the automatic ON/OFF mode with the float switch was like having a water-busting robot assistant. No more standing around waiting for me! Highly recommend for anyone who hates soggy floors. —Carla Benson
This orange beast, the Sump Pump, Prostormer 1HP 3700GPH Submersible Clean/Dirty Water Pump with Automatic Float Switch, made me feel like a superhero in my garden. I locked the float switch on the pump for “keep open mode” and watched it tirelessly keep going, draining pond water like a champ. The durable thermoplastic body gave me confidence it wasn’t just a one-hit wonder. I love that it even has three outlet sizes, so I didn’t have to hunt for weird adapters. My plants have never been happier, and neither have I! —Derek Holman
Who knew pumping water could be this fun? The Sump Pump, Prostormer 1HP 3700GPH Submersible Clean/Dirty Water Pump with Automatic Float Switch is my new best friend during rainy season. I carefully submerged it at a slight angle like the instructions said, and it purred to life, no air bubbles messing with the flow. The sealing structure keeps it safe from corrosion, so I’m sure it’ll stick around for many more wet adventures. It’s like the Swiss Army knife of pumps, perfect for pools, ponds, or even aquariums. Water, beware! —Nina Fletcher
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Why Using a Sump Pump to Drain My Pool Is Necessary
When I needed to drain my pool, I quickly realized that using a sump pump was the smartest choice. First, it saved me a tremendous amount of time compared to manual methods like buckets or a garden hose. The sump pump efficiently moves large volumes of water, so I didn’t have to wait days for the pool to empty.
Another reason I found it necessary is that a sump pump helps prevent damage to my pool’s structure. When draining water too quickly or unevenly, the pool walls can crack or shift. The pump allows me to control the flow rate, ensuring a safe and steady drainage process. Plus, it’s much safer since it reduces the risk of accidents or back strain from heavy lifting.
Finally, using a sump pump made the whole process much cleaner and more convenient. I could direct the water exactly where I wanted without worrying about flooding my yard or driveway. Overall, the sump pump turned what could have been a stressful chore into a straightforward task I could handle on my own.
My Buying Guides on Sump Pump To Drain Pool
When it comes to draining my pool, using a sump pump has been one of the most efficient and cost-effective solutions I’ve found. If you’re considering the same, here’s what I learned through my experience to help you choose the right sump pump for your pool drainage needs.
1. Understand the Purpose and Capacity
Before buying, I first assessed how much water I needed to remove and how quickly. Pools vary in size, so the pump’s capacity—usually measured in gallons per minute (GPM) or gallons per hour (GPH)—is crucial. For a typical backyard pool, I found pumps rated around 3000 to 4000 GPH to be sufficient. If your pool is larger or you want faster drainage, look for higher capacity pumps.
2. Choose Between Submersible and Pedestal Pumps
I learned there are two main types of sump pumps: submersible and pedestal.
- Submersible pumps sit underwater and are quieter. They worked well for me because I could place the pump right at the lowest point of the pool.
- Pedestal pumps have the motor above water, making them easier to maintain but sometimes noisier. If you expect to use the pump frequently or want easier access for repairs, a pedestal might be better.
3. Check the Pump’s Power Source and Cord Length
Since my pool was some distance from the power outlet, I made sure the sump pump had a long enough cord or planned to use a heavy-duty outdoor extension cord safely. Also, consider if you want a pump that runs on standard 110V electricity or if you need a generator-compatible or battery-powered model for areas without reliable power.
4. Look for Durable Materials and Build Quality
Because the pump will be handling pool water, which sometimes contains chemicals like chlorine, I prioritized pumps made with corrosion-resistant materials like stainless steel or durable plastics. This helped extend the life of my pump and avoid rust or damage.
5. Consider the Pump’s Discharge Size and Hose Compatibility
My pump came with a 1.5-inch discharge outlet, which matched the garden hose I planned to use for directing water away from my house and landscaping. Make sure the discharge size fits your hose or that adapters are available.
6. Evaluate Automatic Features and Float Switches
Some sump pumps have automatic float switches that turn the pump on or off based on water level. I found this feature helpful to prevent the pump from running dry or to avoid constant monitoring during the draining process.
7. Noise Level and Portability
Since I live in a quiet neighborhood, I looked for a pump with low noise output. Also, portability mattered because I wanted to use the pump in different areas, so a lightweight design with a handle was a big plus.
8. Budget and Warranty
Prices for sump pumps vary widely. I set a budget but also balanced cost with quality and features. Additionally, I checked for a warranty or customer support, which gave me peace of mind in case of defects or issues.
My Final Tips
- Always read customer reviews to see how pumps perform in real-world pool draining situations.
- Make sure to follow safety guidelines when operating electrical equipment near water.
- Plan where you will discharge the water to avoid flooding or damage.
Choosing the right sump pump made draining my pool straightforward and hassle-free. With these points in mind, I’m confident you’ll find a pump that fits your needs perfectly.
Author Profile

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Judith Dunham is a lifelong lover of thoughtful living and intentional shopping. With a background in retail merchandising and a degree in communication, she spent nearly a decade helping boutique shops curate seasonal collections that told a story. Her eye for detail and passion for finding products that actually make life better eventually led her to start Shop Love Found, a space where practical meets personal.
Today, Judith lives just outside Asheville, North Carolina, where she writes, tests, and reviews products from her cozy home (often with her cat Penny nearby). Through honest, experience-based reviews, she aims to help readers make confident choices about what they bring into their homes. Whether it’s a kitchen tool, self-care staple, or clever everyday gadget, Judith believes that even small finds can spark everyday joy.
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