Need to drain a pool, a rain barrel, or move water from one location to another? A simple garden hose can be turned into a siphon to make this task easy, without needing a pump. I’ve used this method to drain water from hard-to-reach places, and it’s incredibly effective once you get the hang of it. Here’s how you can siphon water using a garden hose step by step.
What You’ll Need:
- A garden hose long enough to reach from the water source to where you want the water to go.
- A bucket (optional, for priming the siphon).
- A water source that is higher than the point where you’re draining the water to (gravity is your best friend here).
Steps to Siphon Water Using a Garden Hose
1. Position the Hose and Water Source
Start by placing the garden hose in the water source, such as a pool, pond, or container. Make sure the other end of the hose is positioned where you want the water to go, such as a lower elevation or a drain. The key to siphoning is that the drain end must be lower than the source end.
- Source end: Submerge the first end of the hose in the water you want to drain.
- Drain end: Place the other end at the lower location where you want the water to flow (e.g., the ground or a drainage area).
2. Fill the Hose with Water (Priming the Siphon)
Next, you’ll need to fill the hose with water to start the siphon. There are two main methods to do this:
Method 1: Using the Water Hose Filling Method (Fastest)
- Attach your garden hose to a spigot and turn on the water to completely fill the hose with water. This pushes all the air out of the hose.
- Once the hose is full, submerge the hose in the water source, while keeping the drain end below the water source level.
- Disconnect the hose from the spigot quickly to avoid losing too much water. Gravity will start pulling the water from the source to the drain location.
Method 2: Suck Start the Siphon (Manual Method) If you don’t have access to a spigot or prefer a more manual approach:
- Submerge the hose fully in the water so it fills up.
- Once the hose is filled, place your thumb over the drain end to hold the water in.
- Quickly move the hose to the lower area (keeping the source end in the water) and then release your thumb. Gravity will begin the siphoning process.
Note: Be careful not to accidentally swallow or inhale any water if you use your mouth to suck-start the siphon.
3. Initiate the Siphon
If you’ve primed the hose correctly, the siphon should start automatically. Here’s what will happen:
- Water will begin flowing through the hose from the source to the lower end by the force of gravity.
- As long as the drain end remains below the water source and no air gets into the hose, the siphon will continue to drain the water.
4. Monitor the Siphon
Once the water starts flowing, keep an eye on the siphon to make sure it continues uninterrupted. If air gets into the hose, it may break the siphon, so be sure the source end stays submerged.
5. Stop the Siphon When Done
To stop the siphon, simply lift the source end of the hose out of the water, or raise the drain end higher than the water source. This will break the flow of water.
Troubleshooting Common Siphoning Issues
- Air in the Hose: If the siphon isn’t working, it’s likely there’s air trapped in the hose. Make sure the hose is completely filled with water before trying to start the siphon.
- No Elevation Difference: Siphoning only works if the water can flow downhill. If both ends of the hose are at the same height, gravity won’t be able to move the water.
- Leaky Hose: Check for leaks in the hose. Any small holes can cause air to get in and stop the siphon.
Pro Tip: Faster Flow with a Bigger Hose
If you need to move a large amount of water quickly, using a wider-diameter hose will increase the flow rate. Larger hoses carry more water, which can speed up the process, especially for draining larger pools or tanks.
Conclusion
Siphoning with a garden hose is a simple, effective way to move water using just gravity. Whether you’re draining a pool or removing standing water, these methods can save you time and energy. By filling the hose completely and ensuring there’s a height difference between the water source and the drainage area, you can create a steady, reliable siphon.