It is an easy and effective way to transfer water at home, suitable for both large and small bodies of water.
You can use siphoning to empty a pool, transfer collected rainwater, or clean a fish tank.
This article will teach you how to siphon water at home with three different methods for you to choose from.
The mouth method can be used for small amounts of fresh water, while the submersion method is a quicker way of draining water into a new container.
For larger jobs, you can use the hose method to relocate large amounts of water.
How To Siphon Water With Your Mouth
This method is best used to move fresh water from one place to another, as it involves using your mouth to create pressure to siphon.
You should consider the bacteria that might be lurking in the water before utilizing this siphoning method, as a beginner may end up swallowing the liquid.
It’s wise to proceed with caution.
Place your chosen container. It must be lower than the water you want to transfer for this method to work.
Place a clear tube under the water and take the other end over to your empty container. A clear tube works best so you can see when you need to stop sucking.
Begin sucking on the dry end of the tube. Make sure you’re lower than the body of water you’re transferring.
Stop sucking when the water gets to the top of the tube and right before it drops down. It’s important to time this right.
Quickly place the end of the tube in your container and the water should start flowing.
Make sure the end stays submerged to continue the flow, and wait until the liquid has been successfully transferred.
How To Siphon Water With A Garden Hose
Using a garden hose to siphon is the best way to move a high volume of water. There are two variations of this method – you can use either one hose or two hoses.
Using two garden hoses can be slightly easier but you will need a shut-off valve. If you’re using one garden hose, you’ll need two clamps.
With One Hose
Choose a location where the water being drained is higher than the area you want to move it to.
Clamp the male end of the hose to prevent the flow of water.
Hook the unclamped, female end to a nearby faucet and turn it on.
Wait until the hose is full and turn the water off.
Disconnect the hose from the faucet and clamp it, as you did with the male end, so the hose remains full.
Place one of the ends into the container of water you want to empty. Be sure to secure it in place at the bottom.
Place the other end into your empty container.
Remove the submerged clamp first.
Remove the clamp from the other end and let the water flow into your container.
Make sure the end of the transferring water remains submerged, and wait until the water stops.
With Two Hoses
Choose a location where the water being drained is higher than the area you want to move it to.
Submerge one end of your first hose into your full container and secure it in place.
Place the other end of your hose into the container you want to transfer water.
Screw on your shut-off valve, making sure that it’s open.
Attach the second hose to the unused end of the valve and hook up the other end to a nearby faucet.
Turn on your faucet until your first hose is full.
Shut the valve to contain the water and disconnect the second hose. Be sure to turn off your faucet first.
Aim the end of your first hose into your chosen container and open the valve to start the water flow.
Make sure the source end stays submerged, and wait until the water ceases to flow.
How To Siphon Water By Submersion
Another method you can use to siphon water is the submersion method, which drains water from one container to another.
This way does work for larger bodies of water, but it’s best suited to moving smaller amounts of water.
Take your tube and place it into the full container you want to empty, making sure the whole tube is fully submerged.
You will begin to see air bubbles rise to the surface of the water as the air moves out of the tube. Wait until the tube is full and all the air bubbles are gone. Shake the container to ensure the tube is completely full.
Once your tube is full, take one end and cover it with your hand to hold pressure and keep the water inside.
Take the covered end out of the water and move it to the container you want to transfer it to, making sure it is lower than the one being emptied.
Check that the opposite end is still submerged and then release the water.
Wait until your new container is full and the flow of water has stopped.
Conclusion
While there are siphoning tools you can use to move water from one location to another, it’s simple to do with household items.
You can save time and money by using one of these easy methods to relocate water.
These methods are effective for siphoning both large and small amounts of water, and this guide offers step-by-step instructions to get it done right.
Hi, my name is Mike Noren and I am an activist for saving water. In the USA alone, we waste almost 900 billion gallons of water every year. To put that into perspective, that equates to the yearly household water use of around 11 million homes!
We waste water in so many ways, like leaving the faucet on while we brush our teeth, bathing instead of showering, and watering our lawns more than we need to.
Through my site, you'll learn more about droughts and their effects on society, how to collect rainwater and use it in your everyday life, and how much water you really need to be using a day. Remember that saving water will also save money on your water bill, so why not give it a go and help me Save The Drop!
