What Are The 3 Best Backwash Hoses For A Pool?

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Cleaning your pool filter can be a chore.

If you don’t have a dedicated backwash line plumbed into your pool system, it can be even more annoying.

For situations like this, you’ll need to hook up a backwash hose to your system, in order to run dirty water out from your filter.

I know what you’re thinking. Any old hose will do, right? Not quite. Read on to find out which is the best backwash hose to buy, and why.

Our Picks For Best Backwash Hose

We took a close look at the best backwash hoses available right now, then narrowed it down to only our top picks.

Best Overall (Recommended)

GORILLA Swimming Pool Backwash Hose...
GORILLA Swimming Pool Backwash Hose...
  • BIG WINTER BLOWOUT $10 off regular price***
  • GORILLA Backwash hoses are 5X stronger than...
  • Caution: This is not your typical flimsy blue hose...

Best On A Budget


Poolmaster 32170, Essential...
Poolmaster 32170, Essential...
  • For water disposal during filter backwash...

Best Heavy Duty Hose


U.S. Pool Supply Black Rhino 1-1/2'...
U.S. Pool Supply Black Rhino 1-1/2"...
  • Black Rhino 1-1/2 Inch (38mm) Diameter By 100 Foot...
  • Extra heavy-duty superior strength hose with very...
  • Built with High Tensile Strength Braided Polyester...

Types Of Backwash Hoses

There are two main types of pool backwash hoses you can buy, and both have their pros and cons.

Vinyl Backwash Hose

Poolmaster 32170, Essential...
Poolmaster 32170, Essential...
  • For water disposal during filter backwash...

A vinyl backwash hose will get the job done, but it’s the lesser of the two hose types. It may come in 1.5 inch, 2 inch, or 3 inch diameters and is attached to your filter using a provided metal clamp.

Vinyl hoses come in a range of sizes, and are also very inexpensive, so anyone can afford them. When not using it, this flat hose rolls up to a small size and can easily be stored out of sight.

Pros:

  • Extremely affordable. A 25 foot hose is about $15, while a 100 foot hose is $50.
  • Attaches snugly to your backwash port so wastewater is properly disposed of
  • Available in multiple lengths to run water off to any drainage point

Cons:

  • Poor build quality makes it susceptible to quick deterioration due to sunlight and chemical exposure
  • Bends in the hose from rolling it up will eventually crack and leak water
  • Over time the hose ends will deteriorate and need to be chopped off

Rubber Backwash Hose

Investing in a proper backwash hose will cost you a bit more but will pay off in the long run. With the occasional backwashing and draining that pools require, getting a heavy duty rubber backwash hose will allow you years of use with minimal problems.

Heavy duty hoses are made from higher quality material than their vinyl brethren, usually woven polyester fiber or commercial-grade PVC. 

They hook up and store the same way as vinyl hoses, although the heavy duty material makes them a heavier hose to handle. Some models will include fittings built onto the hose ends for easy connection to your filter.

Pros:

  • Heavy duty materials like PVC make the hose more durable and resistant to abrasion and corrosion
  • Range of sizes and lengths are available: usually 1.5” to 3” diameter for fitting to the filter, and 25, 50, and 100 foot lengths to choose from
  • Some models have built in UV resistance as well as anti-twisting technology
  • Affordably priced for the amount of life you get from it

Cons:

  • Higher quality material means the hose will be heavier for handling and carrying
  • 2 to 3 times more expensive than vinyl hoses

Features You Need To Consider

Now let’s talk about the most important features to consider when it comes to choosing a backwash hose for your swimming pool.

Hose Length

When using a hose for backwashing or draining purposes, you need to ensure that the hose is long enough to reach the drainage point you’ve chosen. This is usually a sewer, or somewhere off your property where it’s safe to dispose of wastewater.

For this reason, many people choose the longest length they can find, which is 100 feet. This allows you to run the hose from your backyard, to the front of the house and into a sewer. Depending on where everything is located, you may have to run the hose around gardens, pathways, and your driveway. 

If you don’ t need a super long hose, at least get one that is longer than you need. Vinyl hoses have a tendency to deteriorate at the ends after multiple uses. Having a longer hose will allow you to simply cut off the ends, with plenty of hose remaining.

Hose Diameter

Hoses come in anywhere from 1.5 inch to 3 inch diameters. The difference for this is due to the different models of filters as the connection port isn’t always the same size.

It can also be extremely difficult to hook up a 2 inch hose to a 2 inch opening. In cases like this, it can be beneficial to go a size up, or you can use a heat gun to warm up and stretch the hose material.

Hose Material

Hose material will be the defining feature when it comes to the longevity of your backwash hose. 

A vinyl hose uses thin vinyl, making it flimsy and prone to deterioration due to harsh chemical exposure and sunlight. 

A heavy duty hose is made from higher quality materials like woven polyester or commercial grade PVC. While that adds extra weight and less flexibility to the hose, it also provides longevity. 

The last thing you want when you’re transferring wastewater is for your hose to crack and spring leaks. The higher quality the hose material, the better.

U.S. Pool Supply Black Rhino 1-1/2'...
U.S. Pool Supply Black Rhino 1-1/2"...
  • Black Rhino 1-1/2 Inch (38mm) Diameter By 100 Foot...
  • Extra heavy-duty superior strength hose with very...
  • Built with High Tensile Strength Braided Polyester...

Fittings And Clamps

If you get the wrong size hose to connect to your filter’s backwash/waste port, it may be difficult to connect properly. But if you oversize it, connecting the hose will be much easier.

Most hoses include a clamp to hold the hose in place. In some high-end models, they may have the clamp built directly onto the end of the hose for easy connection. 

If you need to connect multiple hoses to each other for extra long length, purchasing a PVC pipe fitting adapter will make your life a lot easier.

Storage

Most backwash hoses are designed flat. This allows you to easily roll them up in a tight spiral, compacting them to roughly 10 inches in diameter. 

We also recommend sending clean water through the hose when you are finished with your backwash. This helps wash away chemical residue that may degrade the material, like pool sanitizer, cyanuric acid, or even algae that was left behind.

Some pool owners choose to keep their backwash hose connected to the backwash port indefinitely. You can definitely do this, but if your hose is left out in the sun for long periods of time, the lifespan of it will be shortened considerably.

Our Top Pick

GORILLA Swimming Pool Backwash Hose...
GORILLA Swimming Pool Backwash Hose...
  • BIG WINTER BLOWOUT $10 off regular price***
  • GORILLA Backwash hoses are 5X stronger than...
  • Caution: This is not your typical flimsy blue hose...

Categories: Pool Care, Pool Equipment