Quick Answer
To drain a Coleman pool, stop adding chlorine and let levels drop, confirm the inside drain plug is in place, remove the outer drain valve cap, screw a garden hose onto the included drain adapter, then attach the adapter to the valve to open it. Run the hose to a safe drainage area. Most pools take several hours to a day; a submersible pump is faster.
Key Takeaways
- Coleman above-ground pools, made by Bestway, use a drain valve on the outside wall that opens when you attach the drain adapter.
- Let chlorine dissipate and check local rules before draining; never send treated water into a storm drain where it is prohibited.
- Draining by gravity through a garden hose is slow; a submersible utility pump can cut the time sharply.
- Remove the adapter to close the valve, then reinstall the cap.
- Clean and dry the liner completely before folding to prevent mildew.
Whether you are closing your pool for the season, moving it, or replacing badly cloudy water, draining a Coleman pool is a simple job once you understand the drain valve. The work is mostly waiting. Plan where the water will go, prepare the water first, and take your time cleaning and drying the liner before storage.
When Should You Drain a Coleman Pool?
Above-ground soft-sided and frame pools are not designed to stay filled through freezing winters in many climates, so most owners drain them at the end of summer. You may also need to drain the pool before moving it, to fix a leveling problem, to repair a liner tear you cannot patch underwater, or to replace water that has become hard to balance.
Avoid draining a pool just to fix ordinary cloudiness or algae; those problems are usually cheaper to solve with filtration and water chemistry. If the pool is staying up, partial drains of a few inches are enough to lower high cyanuric acid or total dissolved solids.
What You Need To Drain the Pool
- The drain adapter (drain connector) that came with your pool
- A standard garden hose long enough to reach your drainage area
- A pool water test kit or test strips
- A submersible utility pump (optional, for faster draining)
- A soft brush, mild soap and a sponge for cleaning the liner
- Towels and a dry, sunny space for drying
- The original box or a sturdy storage bin
If you lost the drain adapter, replacement parts are usually available from the manufacturer’s parts and support channels; have your pool model number from the liner label or manual ready.
How To Drain a Coleman Pool Step by Step
Step 1: Check Local Rules and Pick a Drainage Area
Many cities and counties regulate where treated pool water can go. Look up your local rules, and choose a spot such as a lawn area that slopes away from your home, a sanitary sewer cleanout if allowed, or a location your municipality approves. Never let water pool against your foundation or a neighbor’s property.
Step 2: Let Chlorine Levels Drop
Stop adding chlorine several days before draining and leave the pool uncovered in the sun to speed up dissipation. Test the water and wait until chlorine reads close to zero, and pH is near neutral, before releasing it onto grass or plants. Your local rules may set specific limits.
Step 3: Disconnect the Pump and Filter
Unplug the filter pump from power first. Close the plunger valves or insert the hose plugs on the inside of the pool wall, then disconnect the hoses from the pump. Drain, clean and dry the pump and filter housing and store the cartridge separately.
Step 4: Prepare the Drain Valve
Go inside the pool, or reach in, and make sure the inner drain plug is firmly in place on the drain valve. On the outside wall, unscrew and remove the drain valve cap. Keep the cap in a pocket so it does not get lost in the grass.
Step 5: Attach the Hose and Drain Adapter
Connect the female end of a garden hose to the drain adapter, and lay the other end at your drainage area. Then screw the drain adapter onto the drain valve. As you tighten it, the adapter pushes the valve open and water starts flowing through the hose.
Step 6: Let the Pool Drain
Gravity draining can take many hours, and a large pool may take a day or more. To speed it up, drop a submersible utility pump in the deepest point and run its discharge hose to the same drainage area. Check the hose end occasionally to make sure it has not moved toward the house.
Step 7: Remove the Last Water and Close the Valve
Once the flow slows, lift the side of the pool opposite the drain to push remaining water toward the valve, or sponge and towel out the last inch. Unscrew the adapter to close the valve and reinstall the outer cap.
Step 8: Clean, Dry and Store the Pool
Wash the liner with mild soap and water, rinse, and let it dry completely in the sun on both sides. Disassemble the frame, fold the liner loosely, and store everything indoors in a dry place above freezing. Folding a damp liner invites mildew and stuck seams.
How Long Does It Take To Drain a Coleman Pool?
Drain time depends on pool size, hose diameter and how far the water has to travel. A standard 5/8-inch garden hose drains slowly by gravity, and the flow drops as the water level falls. A submersible utility pump moves water much faster and is the best choice for large frame pools.
| Draining Method | Relative Speed | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drain valve + garden hose (gravity) | Slow (hours to a day+) | Free | Small and mid-size pools |
| Garden hose siphon from the top | Slow | Free | When the drain adapter is missing |
| Submersible utility pump | Fast | Pump purchase or rental | Large frame pools, quick turnarounds |
| Using the filter pump | Varies | Free | Only if your pump model supports it |
For details on that last option, our guide to draining a pool using the pool pump explains how it works and when to avoid it.
What If Your Coleman Pool Will Not Drain?
- No water flows when the adapter is attached: Make sure the adapter is screwed on fully; it must be tight to push the valve open. Check that the hose is not kinked.
- Water leaks around the valve: The adapter may be cross-threaded. Remove it, realign and screw it on again slowly.
- Flow is very slow: Move the hose end lower than the pool, shorten the hose or add a submersible pump.
- Drain adapter is missing: Siphon with a garden hose filled with water, or use a submersible pump, and order a replacement adapter.
- Inner drain plug is gone: Do not open the valve until you have a replacement, or drain from the top with a pump instead.
Safety: Never leave a draining pool unattended around young children, and keep electrical pumps plugged into a GFCI-protected outlet. Do not stand in the pool while a submersible pump is running in the water.
How Do You Prevent Problems When Refilling?
Before you set the pool up again, inspect the liner for punctures, seam damage and brittle spots, and check that the ground is level and free of rocks and roots. A ground cloth helps protect the liner floor. If you find a leak after refilling, see our guide on how to fix a hole in the bottom of your pool, and if you run lights for night swims, fixing a pool light covers common electrical issues.
Tip: Take a photo of how the hoses, plungers and drain valve fit together before disassembly. It makes next season’s setup much faster.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the drain on a Coleman pool?
The drain valve is on the outside of the pool wall near the bottom, covered by a screw-on cap. On the inside of the wall, the same valve has a drain plug. Attaching the supplied drain adapter with a hose to the outside valve opens it.
Can I drain my pool water onto the lawn?
Often yes, if chlorine has dissipated to near zero, pH is near neutral and local rules allow it. Spread the water so it soaks in rather than flooding one spot, and keep it away from your foundation, septic field and neighboring properties.
How do you drain a Coleman pool without the drain adapter?
You can siphon water out with a garden hose filled with water, or lower a submersible utility pump into the pool and pump it out from the top. Order a replacement drain adapter from the manufacturer parts channel for future seasons.
Do you have to drain an above-ground Coleman pool for winter?
Most owner manuals for soft-sided and frame pools recommend draining and storing the pool indoors when temperatures approach freezing, since ice can damage the liner and frame. Check your model manual for its specific temperature guidance.
How do I keep a Coleman pool liner from getting moldy in storage?
Clean the liner with mild soap, rinse it and let both sides dry completely in the sun before folding. Some owners dust it lightly with talcum powder to prevent sticking. Store it loosely folded in a dry, indoor space.
