Your main pool pump circulates and filters water. It cannot drain standing water from your pool cover, lower the water level for winterization, or remove a foot of rainwater from an above-ground pool before liner replacement. A submersible utility pump fills every one of these gaps for a purchase price between $59.99 and $89.99. Here is every situation where you will need one and how to choose the right GPH for your specific pool.
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Cover Pumps at PoolPartsToGo: Best entry price (small pools and covers): B+D 350 GPH Automatic Cover Pump ($59.99) Best all-purpose (most residential pools): B+D 800 GPH Automatic Cover Pump ($69.99) Best for large covers and winterizing (3-yr warranty): B+D 1500 GPH Automatic Cover Pump ($89.99) Browse all: Pool Cover Pumps at PoolPartsToGo |
What Your Main Pool Pump Cannot Do
A pool circulation pump is designed to move water from the pool, through the filter, and back to the pool continuously. It draws water through fixed plumbing (skimmer and main drain) and returns it through fixed return jets. This design is highly efficient for filtration and chemical distribution. It is completely unsuited for any task that involves moving water from one place to another outside the closed pool circulation loop.
Every use case below requires water to be picked up from a surface or location outside the pool's plumbing loop and discharged somewhere else. Your circulation pump physically cannot do this. A submersible utility pump, dropped anywhere water has accumulated and connected to a standard garden hose or discharge line, handles all of it.
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Eight Jobs Your Main Pump Cannot Do
For every one of these situations, a submersible utility pump running from a standard 120V household outlet, dropped into the water and connected to a garden hose or discharge line, is the correct tool. The three B+D models at PPTG cover every scenario from $59.99 to $89.99. |
Every Use Case and the Right GPH for Each
How much GPH you need depends on how much water you are moving, how fast you need it moved, and how large the accumulation area is. Here is the complete use case reference:
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Use Case |
GPH Needed |
Best Model |
Details |
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Pool cover drainage (small cover, light rain) |
350 GPH is fine |
B+D 350 Auto ($59.99) |
Adequate for covers up to approximately 14x28 ft receiving 1 to 2 inches of rain. Lowest price and 1/4 HP make it the best fit for small above-ground covers. |
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Pool cover drainage (medium cover, typical use) |
800 GPH recommended |
B+D 800 Auto ($69.99) |
Handles covers up to 16x32 ft and moderate rain events. Activates at 2 inches. The most versatile single pump for year-round cover management. |
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Pool cover drainage (large cover, spring storms) |
1,500 GPH required |
B+D 1500 Auto ($89.99) |
Covers 18x36 ft and larger, or any cover in high-rainfall areas. Clears a 20x40 cover after 3 inches of rain in approximately 60 minutes vs 2 hours at 800 GPH. |
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Pool winterization (lowering water level) |
800 to 1,500 GPH |
B+D 800 or 1500 Auto |
Lower water level below the skimmer and return lines for winterization. An 800 GPH pump lowers a 10,000-gallon pool by 12 inches in approximately 90 minutes. 1,500 GPH accomplishes the same in about 45 minutes. |
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Spring opening (draining cover water) |
1,500 GPH for speed |
B+D 1500 Auto ($89.99) |
Remove accumulated winter water from the cover before pulling it to prevent dumping debris into the clean pool. Speed matters for opening day: 1,500 GPH clears the cover fastest. |
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Draining an above-ground pool |
1,500 GPH for efficiency |
B+D 1500 Auto ($89.99) |
Draining a 7,500-gallon above-ground pool for liner replacement or relocation takes approximately 5 hours at 1,500 GPH or over 9 hours at 800 GPH. |
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Emergency: heavy rain or flooding |
1,500 GPH urgency |
B+D 1500 Auto ($89.99) |
Post-storm pool overflow or backyard flooding. The 1,500 GPH pump removes nearly 90,000 gallons per day at continuous operation, providing meaningful emergency capacity. |
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Snowmelt management on cover |
350 to 800 GPH sufficient |
B+D 350 or 800 Auto |
Snowmelt is slower and lower volume than rain events. An automatic 350 or 800 GPH pump left connected all winter handles snowmelt automatically without manual intervention. |
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The Opening Day Case for 1,500 GPH The most time-sensitive use case for a submersible pump is spring opening day. Most pool owners want the cover off and the pool accessible within a few hours of starting the opening process. A 20x40-foot pool cover that collected a moderate winter's worth of rain and snowmelt may have 500 to 1,000 gallons sitting on it. The 800 GPH pump takes 37 to 75 minutes to clear it; the 1,500 GPH pump takes 20 to 40 minutes. If you are opening the pool on a Saturday morning and want to be swimming by afternoon, the 1,500 GPH delivers the operational efficiency that makes this timeline realistic. |
The Three B+D Submersible Pumps at PoolPartsToGo
All three pumps are automatic, submersible, oil-free, and designed for unattended all-season operation. The differences between them come down to GPH, activation threshold, hose inclusion, and warranty:
|
Feature |
B+D 350 GPH Auto |
B+D 800 GPH Auto |
B+D 1500 GPH Auto |
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Price |
$59.99 |
$69.99 |
$89.99 |
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Was |
N/A |
$119 |
$210 |
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GPH |
350 |
800 |
1,500 |
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HP |
1/4 HP |
Not published |
Not published |
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Switch type |
Auto 2-stage |
Auto 2-stage |
Auto dual float |
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Activates at |
2 inches |
2 inches |
4.25 inches |
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Drains to |
1/8 inch |
1/8 inch |
1/8 inch |
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Power cord |
25 ft |
25 ft |
25 ft |
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Discharge hose |
Adapter only |
Adapter only |
30 ft included |
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Warranty |
1-year |
1-year |
3-year |
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Oil-free |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Pre-filter sponge |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes (patented) |
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Best for |
Small AG covers, tight budgets, snowmelt all-winter |
Most residential covers (16x32 and under). Best balance of price and GPH. |
Large covers, spring opening, winterizing, above-ground pool draining. |
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The 350 GPH: When to Choose the Entry-Level Model At $59.99, the B+D 350 GPH is the most affordable automatic submersible pump in the PPTG lineup. Its 1/4 HP motor and 350 GPH output are appropriately sized for small above-ground pool covers (12 to 15 ft round), pools in low-rainfall areas where accumulation is gradual, and snowmelt management where the water input rate never exceeds what the pump can keep up with. Where the 350 GPH shows its limitation: heavy rain events on larger covers. After a 2-inch storm on a 16x32-foot cover (approximately 638 gallons), the 350 GPH pump takes over 1.8 hours to clear the cover. The 800 GPH pump handles the same event in 48 minutes. For covers 16x32 and larger, the $10 upgrade to the 800 GPH is consistently worth it. |
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The 1500 GPH's 3-Year Warranty: Why It Matters The B+D 1500 GPH Auto is the only model in the PPTG cover pump lineup with a 3-year warranty. At $89.99 (a $20 premium over the 800 GPH), the 3-year coverage protects through two additional seasons beyond the standard 1-year. A submersible pump operating outdoors through freeze-thaw cycles, debris exposure, and extended unattended operation has meaningful mechanical exposure during years 2 and 3 of its service life. The 1500 GPH is the only model where that exposure is covered. |
GPH Selection by Pool and Cover Size
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Pool / Cover Size |
Recommended GPH |
Reasoning |
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Above-ground pool, round 12 to 15 ft |
350 GPH |
Small cover area (under 200 sqft). Light snow and rain loads. 350 GPH clears typical winter accumulation in under 45 minutes. Budget-appropriate for small AG setups. |
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Above-ground pool, round 15 to 18 ft |
350 to 800 GPH |
350 GPH works for light conditions. 800 GPH recommended for spring storms or if you want faster pre-opening clearance. The $10 upgrade to 800 GPH is worth it for this cover size. |
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Above-ground pool, 18 ft+ or oval |
800 GPH |
Standard choice for larger above-ground covers. Clears a 16x32 cover after 3 inches of rain in about 72 minutes. 350 GPH would take over 2.5 hours on the same cover. |
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Standard inground pool, 10,000 to 15,000 gal |
800 to 1,500 GPH |
800 GPH for light-moderate rainfall areas. 1,500 GPH for heavy spring storms, faster opening-day clearance, or winterizing speed. |
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Large inground pool, 15,000 to 25,000 gal |
1,500 GPH |
Large cover area requires 1,500 GPH to stay ahead of heavy rain. Also the right tool for draining down the pool level during winterization. |
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Any pool, emergency water removal |
1,500 GPH |
Maximum practical submersible pump capacity for residential use. 1,500 GPH continuously removes nearly 90,000 gallons per day in emergency flooding or overflow situations. |
Getting the Most Out of Your Submersible Pump
These pumps are designed for simplicity: plug in, drop in the water, run. A few operational practices extend their service life and prevent the most common issues:
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All-Winter Auto Operation: The Set-It-and-Forget-It Approach Place the 800 or 1500 GPH auto pump on the pool cover after it is installed at closing. Route the discharge hose to a drainage area at least 10 feet from the pool (to prevent drainage from re-entering the pool area). Leave the pump plugged in for the entire closed season. The automatic float switch activates when water accumulates to the activation level (2 inches for 800 GPH; 4.25 inches for 1500 GPH) and turns off when the cover is nearly dry. No manual monitoring required. Important: remove the pump before adding closing chemicals if the cover is not yet on. Reinstall after chemicals are distributed. Concentrated closing chemicals can damage the pump's internal components if the pump runs while they are highly concentrated. |
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Discharge Hose Routing: Where the Water Goes Matters The 1500 GPH pump includes a 30-foot discharge hose. The 350 and 800 GPH pumps include a standard hose adapter that connects to any garden hose. Plan your discharge routing before the pump starts:
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Winterizing the Pump Itself at Season End At the end of the pool season, remove the pump from the cover before the pool closes for final chemistry treatment. Store the pump indoors in a protected location through hard freeze periods. A pump left in standing water that freezes solid will be damaged. Most pool owners store the cover pump with their other pool equipment in a garage or pool house. The pre-filter sponge can be rinsed and allowed to dry before storage. |
Shop Cover Pumps at PoolPartsToGo
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B+D 350 GPH Auto (Best Entry Price, Small Pools) $59.99 BLACK+DECKER 350 GPH Automatic Pool Cover Pump 1/4 HP automatic submersible pump for small pool covers and low-volume drainage tasks. 2-stage automatic switch activates at 2 inches of water, drains to 1/8 inch. 25 ft power cord. Standard hose adapter included (garden hose connects). Oil-free design. Pre-filter sponge prevents clogging. 1-year warranty. Ships free. Returnable within 90 days. |
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B+D 800 GPH Auto (Best All-Purpose, Most Residential Pools) $69.99 (was $119) BLACK+DECKER 800 GPH Automatic Pool Cover Pump Automatic submersible pump for covers up to 16x32 ft and general water removal tasks. 2-stage automatic switch activates at 2 inches, drains to 1/8 inch. Handles rain events, snowmelt, and winterization tasks on standard residential pools. 25 ft power cord. Standard hose adapter. Oil-free. Pre-filter sponge. 1-year warranty. Ships free. Returnable within 90 days. |
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B+D 1500 GPH Auto (Best Large Covers, Fastest Clearance, 3-Year Warranty) $89.99 (was $210) BLACK+DECKER 1500 GPH Automatic Submersible Pool Cover Pump The highest-GPH automatic submersible pump at PPTG and the only model with a 3-year warranty. Dual automatic float switch activates at 4.25 inches, drains to 1/8 inch. 25 ft power cord plus 30 ft discharge hose included. Patented pre-filter sponge. Oil-free. Best for covers 18x36 and larger, spring opening fastest clearance, winterizing large pools, and above-ground pool draining. Ships free. Returnable within 90 days. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a pool cover pump to winterize my pool?
Yes. Lowering the pool water level below the skimmer and return lines is one of the standard uses for a submersible pump during pool winterization. The process: place the pump in the pool, connect the discharge hose to route water away from the pool area, and run until the water level drops to the desired height (typically 4 to 6 inches below the skimmer line). The 800 GPH pump lowers a 10,000-gallon pool by 12 inches in approximately 90 minutes. The 1500 GPH accomplishes the same in about 45 minutes.
Will a cover pump work as an emergency pump if my pool area floods?
Yes, within its capacity limits. At 1,500 GPH continuous operation, the B+D 1500 removes approximately 1,500 gallons per hour or about 36,000 gallons per day. For localized flooding around a pool equipment pad or backyard flooding after a major storm, this represents meaningful pumping capacity. For severe or ongoing flooding from external sources, a dedicated high-volume utility pump (sump pump) with higher GPH may be needed. The cover pump is the correct first response for pool-related water overflow.
How long can I leave an automatic cover pump running unattended?
The automatic pumps are designed for exactly this use case. All three B+D models use automatic float switches that turn the pump on when water reaches the activation threshold and off when it drains to 1/8 inch. Left plugged in all winter, the pump activates for every rain and snowmelt event and turns off automatically when the cover is nearly dry. The practical limit is the warranty period and normal mechanical wear. The 1500 GPH model with its 3-year warranty is specifically designed for this long-duration unattended operation scenario.
Why does the 1500 GPH activate at 4.25 inches while the 350 and 800 GPH activate at 2 inches?
The higher activation threshold on the 1500 GPH prevents unnecessary cycling during light drizzle or condensation. A 1,500 GPH pump turning on and off repeatedly for minor water accumulation would put unnecessary wear on the float switch mechanism. The 4.25-inch threshold ensures the pump activates only when there is a meaningful volume of water worth running a higher-capacity motor for. The 350 and 800 GPH models' 2-inch threshold is appropriate for their smaller size, where 2 inches of water already represents significant cover loading relative to their capacity.
Can I use the cover pump to drain an above-ground pool completely?
Yes. A submersible pump is the correct tool for draining an above-ground pool for liner replacement, relocation, or major service. The pump can drain to approximately 1/8 inch of remaining water. Some residual water near the main drain will remain; this is typically removed with a wet vacuum or by tipping the pool slightly at the end. For a 7,500-gallon above-ground pool: 1500 GPH takes approximately 5 hours at continuous operation; 800 GPH takes approximately 9.5 hours. Plan accordingly and route the discharge hose well away from the pool installation area.
Is the discharge hose included or do I need to buy one separately?
The B+D 1500 GPH includes a 30-foot discharge hose in the box. The B+D 350 GPH and 800 GPH include a standard hose adapter that connects to any standard garden hose. For the 350 and 800 GPH models, a garden hose of sufficient length to reach your discharge location is needed but not included. Standard 50-foot garden hoses are widely available for under $20 and connect directly to the hose adapter on these pumps.
One Pump. Eight Jobs Your Main Pump Cannot Do.
A submersible utility pump is the one piece of pool equipment that no standard pool system includes but every pool owner eventually needs. At $59.99 to $89.99, a B+D automatic cover pump pays for itself the first time it prevents a collapsed cover, a flooded equipment pad, or an opening day that takes all weekend because the cover water removal is too slow. All three models ship free.
