If you own an above ground pool in your house, it is likely that you don’t want to experience the pain of cleaning it manually. This is where the backwash hose comes in to make your life much, much simpler.
By attaching the backwash hose to the filter of your pool, the dirty and contaminated water can be transported away from the pool and directly to the area where you want to discharge it.
To make sure that you pick the best backwash hose, you should take into account the material of the hose, its dimensions, frequency of use and its durability, among other things.
We have reviewed our top picks of above ground backwash hoses that we think will be perfect for you. Take a look at the 5 best ones and decide which one you want to buy. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Top 5 Above Ground Pool Backwash Hoses
Here are our top 5 picks when it comes to above ground backwash hoses. You will be able to find everything you need to know about these hoses, including their features, pros and cons.
Blue Devil 75-Foot Backwash Hose for Pool with Hose Clamp
The Blue Devil 75-foot backwash hose is a long and strong hose that you can easily attach to a fitting in your pool’s filter. It is easy to use and is long enough for you to easily use as per your needs.
You can use this hose to clear out the water discharge from the filter as well as to drain the pool entirely. It is also pretty sturdy and will last you a long time.
Features
- Length: 75 feet
- Diameter: 2 inches
- Weight: 6.82 pounds
- Material: Reinforced vinyl
- Extras: Hose clamp
Pros
- It comes with a hose clamp that you can easily move around and adjust in order to hold the hose securely in place when it is attached to the filter.
- At a length of 75 feet, you can easily maneuver the hose without worrying about it falling short.
- The vinyl with 22-mil hosing ensures durability and leakage prevention.
- It is strong enough to withstand pool drainages as well.
Cons
- A fitting to attach the hose and the pool’s filter is not included.
GORILLA Swimming Pool Backwash Hose
The GORILLA backwash hose is a great black heavy-duty hose that comes in varying lengths that you can choose from depending on your requirements. It is sturdy, durable and can be easily attached to the pool’s filter.
You can use this to transport large amounts of water over long distances without worrying about how much weight it will be able to carry.
Features
- Length: 25, 50 or 100 feet
- Diameter: 2 inches
- Weight: 3.65, 7.45 or 15.34 pounds
- Material: Reinforced commercial grade PVC
- Extras: Hose clamp
Pros
- It is said to be 5 times stronger than the standard hoses that you can buy at your local stores.
- It ensures guaranteed durability as it is made to withstand toughness.
- It is chemical and weather resistant.
- The different lengths allow you to choose the one that works well for you.
Cons
- The hose is only made to fit a filter that has a standard size. If your filter outlet is of a different size, you will need to buy a separate fitting tool.
U.S. Pool Supply Heavy Duty Blue PVC Swimming Pool Backwash Hose
The U.S. Pool Supply backwash hose is a heavy-duty blue hose that is sold by a trusted and well-known manufacturer. Because of this, you don’t need to worry about the quality of the product.
This hose is long and strong enough to carry water discharge as well as pool drainage across long distances. It is also sturdy and can withstand the weight of large amounts of water.
Features
- Length: 50 feet
- Diameter: 2 inches
- Weight: 4.24 pounds
- Material: Heavy-duty PVC
- Extras: Hose clamp
Pros
- It comes with a one-year warranty which speaks volumes about its assured good quality.
- It is weather and chemical resistant and can withstand changes in each of these factors.
- It comes with a hose clamp that you can adjust to fit the filter of the pool.
- It has a wall thickness of 0.6 mm which ensures greater durability.
Cons
- It comes in a single length of 50 feet which might not be enough to cover the required distances.
Milliard 50 ft Heavy Duty Backwash Hose
The Milliard Heavy Duty backwash hose is an effective option to drain out your above ground pool or to clean out the contaminated water from the pool’s filter. It can easily be fitted into the pool’s filter to start the drainage process.
This hose is made to withstand most kinds of wear and tear, making it a reliable backwash hose for your pool.
Features
- Length: 50 feet
- Diameter: 2 inches
- Weight: 4.44 pounds
- Material: Vinyl
- Extras: Hose clamp
Pros
- It has an upgraded thick gauge that prevents small tears and damages from occurring often.
- It provides resistance against any chemical or weather-related changes.
- Its heavy-duty vinyl has a wall thickness of 0.6mm, making it durable and long lasting.
- It is flexible and very easy to store and carry around.
Cons
- It only comes in a length of 50 feet which might restrict mobility if the distance is longer.
Maxx Flex Heavy Duty Backwash Hose
The Maxx Flex Heavy Duty backwash hose is a heavy-duty blue hose that can carry your pool’s water discharge across long distances. It comes in varying lengths and diameters that you can choose from based on your drainage requirements.
This hose ensures good quality along with durability. It can also be used to entirely drain out your pool and for other bigger industrial tasks (with a longer length and diameter).
Features
- Length: 25, 50, 100 or 300 feet
- Diameter: 1-8 inches
- Weight: Depends on other dimensions
- Material: Reinforced PVC
- Extras: None
Pros
- It has been made with UV protectors and heavy-duty fiber to ensure resistance from chemical and weather changes.
- The hose cover and PVC tube are thrust together, which ensures the strength, quality and bonding capacity of the hose.
- The varying lengths and dimensions allow the hose to be used for a wide range of purposes that not only include domestic but also industrial usage.
- It is sturdy and does not easily lead to tears and kinks.
Cons
- It does not come with a hose clamp that can be used for attaching the hose to the filter.
Things to Consider
Now that you know all about the top 5 above ground pool backwash hoses, you should also be aware of a few things that you need to consider and keep in mind when you are looking for a hose to buy. Let’s look into some of these considerations.
Why Do You Need a Backwash Hose?
A backwash hose is perfect for cleaning out your above ground pool. Over time and with multiple uses, the water in your pool becomes dirty and contaminated.
Using a backwash hose by attaching it your pool’s filter will drain out all the contaminants that the filter may have separated from the pool’s water. This water discharge is then carried to the required spot using the hose and disposed of there.
You can also use a backwash hose to drain out your pool’s water entirely.
How Do Backwash Hoses Work?
Connect one end of the hose to the filter outlet of the pool, making sure that the latter is switched off. Place the other end of the hose at your disposal site.
Now, turn on the valve and the filter system and let the discharge be disposed of. When clean water starts backwashing into the pool, turn the system off.
It would be better for the hose’s durability to disconnect it from the outlet and store it aside until the next time you use it.
Features
Before buying a hose, you must consider all the features that hoses of different brands offer and whether or not they meet your requirements. Some of these features can be looked into below.
Length
Keep in mind the approximate distance between your pool and the disposal site. The length of your hose should equate to this distance so that it can easily transport water between the two sites.
Of course, it may not always be possible to find the exact length. In this case, opt for a longer hose that you can easily maneuver. A shorter length will hinder transportation if it doesn’t reach the disposal site.
Generally, 50-100 feet are good enough lengths and can serve a variety of purposes, depending on what you require them for.
Diameter
The diameter of the hose should be such that it can easily fit onto the outlet point of the pool’s filter. You definitely don’t want a hose with a smaller diameter than the filter outlet.
Some hoses come with a clamp that can allow you to adjust the hose over the outlet. This will make it easier for you if the diameter is larger.
Material
Usually, PVC is a good material for backwash hoses, as it is resistant to both UV radiation and chemicals.
Reinforced PVC or woven polyester fibers that make the hose more durable are also things you should look for.
Flexibility
You should make sure that you can easily move the backwash hose around without the risk of damage and tears.
The hose must also be flexible enough to lay it flat for the purpose of storage.
Strength
Since this hose will be carrying a large amount of water to and fro, you should buy one that can endure the strength of this water. This will depend on the material and durability of the hose as well, so make sure you look into that factor properly.
Warranty
Usually, you won’t have to worry too much about how long your hose will last. However, it would still be a good idea to check if the brand or seller provides a warranty for a year or two, as this will allow you to take the necessary actions if your hose meets with any issue.
Affordability
You should ensure that the cost of the hose is something that you can afford. Usually, the cost will vary according to the length and material.
However, it might be a good idea to invest in a hose of a higher quality as this will last you longer and cut down on any of its maintenance or replacement costs.
Do’s and Don’ts
With any product, you must make sure to do some things while avoiding others. Here are a few do’s and don’ts to keep in mind when it comes to a backwash hose, whether it is in terms of buying one or using one.
Do’s:
- Make sure you consider the aforementioned features before making a decision about which hose to buy.
- Roughly measure the distance between the pool and the disposal site to know what length you need.
- Measure the diameter of the pool outlet.
- See if you need any extra parts, such as a clamp or a fitter (or both). If they do not come with the hose, you will have to buy one separately.
- Go through the instruction manual if there is one. This will help you answer any queries you might have about using the hose.
- Make sure the hose is connected properly with the filter outlet.
- Remember to turn off the outlet before and after the process of draining.
- Look into the refund and replacement policies of the seller before buying any hose.
Don’ts:
- Do not buy a hose that is too short to reach the disposal site.
- Do not buy a hose that is too flimsy or easily prone to damage and tears.
- Do not leave the filter system on while connecting the hose to the outlet.
- Do not forget to turn the filter system off after usage.
- Do not leave the hose connected to the outlet after using it.
- Do not use the hose for a greater capacity than it can handle.
- Do not use a hose that has tears or kinks on it as this will cause issues with drainage.
FAQs
Here, we will try to answer some frequently asked questions that people tend to ask about backwash hoses.
What is an above ground pool?
An above ground pool is one that is built above the ground and not into it. They come with a separate structure of their own to surround them.
What purpose does a backwash hose serve?
A backwash hose takes all the dirty and contaminated water from your pool’s filter pump and disposes it into a disposal site nearby. This keeps your pool (and yard) clean.
How do I use a backwash hose?
The process has been described above, but to sum it up, you can connect your hose to the filter outlet of your above ground pool. Turn the outlet on after connection and let the dirty water clear out through the hose and into the disposal site. Turn the outlet off and disconnect the hose.
How long does the whole process take?
This depends on how long it has been since you last cleaned the pool. Usually, it won’t take you more than 3-5 minutes overall.
How long should the hose be?
This depends on the distance between your pool and the disposal site. Keep this in mind when you are buying the hose as well. In most cases, an average length of 50 feet should work for domestic purposes.
What should I do if my hose tears or gets damaged?
In this case, see if there is any way for you to repair it. Also, check if your hose came with any kind of warranty. If it did, then you can get it replaced if it is still within the warranty period.
How often should I carry out this process?
This depends on how often you use your pool. If you use it frequently, then once a week is a good idea to backwash it. If you use it less often, you can increase the time interval (but not too much!).
Parting Thoughts
After this in-depth buyer’s guide with the best products on the market being reviewed, you now know all there is to know about above ground backwash hoses. Go through this guide thoroughly so that you can make an informed decision for yourself based on your requirements.
While all the reviewed backwash hoses are great, a couple of them that stand out include the GORILLA and Milliard backwash hoses. They both seem to be the sturdiest and the most durable hoses that will easily transport water from one spot to another.
Through this buyer’s guide, we have also given you some additional information that you can keep in mind while buying a hose. Make sure you understand all your needs in terms of each of the features of the hose you are planning to buy.
So, make your choice and buy the best backwash hose for your above ground pool. Watch as it reduces your manual labor and makes your life much, much easier!