Go back to the breaker and turn the pump back ON. Stand back and listen for that beautiful hum. Within seconds, you should see water rushing out of your hose like it’s fleeing a party it never wanted to attend.
Here’s the kicker: Never, ever run the pump dry. That’s like trying to run a marathon without drinking water. The pump will overheat, squeal like a frightened cat, and probably die. Keep an eye on the water level. As it gets low, you’ll need to shut it off.
How low is low? Once the water level gets to about the bottom of the skimmer (that rectangular hole in the side of your pool), turn the pump OFF. The pump can’t suck air. It’s not a vacuum cleaner, even if it tries really hard.
Pro Tip: The “Sump Pump” Shortcut
If your pool is huge, or you’re draining more than a foot, the filter pump might take forever. You know what’s faster? A submersible sump pump. It’s basically a water-powered robot that sits on the pool floor and chugs water away.
You can rent one from a hardware store for like twenty bucks. It’s a splurge, but so is buying a new pump because you ran yours dry. Your call, but this writer votes for the robot helper.
