Inflatable pools are fun for the kids and the rest of the family too. But that’s only if you do not have to blow into it using your mouth. The kiddie pool is hard work, time-consuming, and you may not get it blown up all the way. Plus, it hurts. And after all your effort, the sides may still sag. Imagine blowing up a family-sized pool manually. It’s even worse. There is a much simpler way to enjoy the inflatable pool in the backyard without losing a lung. We want to share with you how to inflate a pool with an air compressor. It will save you a lot of time and cause you no pain.
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Best Air Compressor For The Job
Finding a suitable air compressor to inflate a pool is easy. It all depends on the type of pool you want to fill. There are kiddie-sized pools and adult or family-sized pools.
Let’s take a look at what type of air compressor is better for which pool and why.
The Kiddie-sized Pool
To inflate a kid-sized pool, you can use an air compressor. But which unit is the best choice?
Some kiddie pools are on the small side, and the material used to make them is not the most durable. Using your home air compressor with the tank might be too much for such a pool to handle. These compressed air machines push air out fast. If you are not very attentive, you run the risk of popping the pool.
If a kid-sized pool is the type of pool you want to inflate, a portable compressed air machine is enough to do the job. These types of compressors have lower PSI ratings than home air compressor units. That means they are not that powerful, so there is less chance of them damaging the pool.
Portable air compressors come in two types.
- Battery operated
- Electric
They are easy to tote around with you so your kids can have their summer pool fun on the go.
Family-Size Pool
Family-sized or adult pools are on the large side. And, of course, you can inflate them using your portable compressed air device. The problem is these devices have low PSI ratings. They are meant to do smaller, quicker jobs like blowing up a tire or small inflatable toys and pools.
Because of the low PSI ratings, inflating pools of this size with portable compressed air devices will take a long time. Expect a slow fill.
If you want to inflate your family-sized pool quick and easy, your home tank-operated air compressor will do the trick. Because of the high PSI rating, the air flows out of these machines much quicker, giving you a faster fill.
But you still want to be extra careful. Because of how powerful these machines are, there is an even higher risk of damaging the pool.
You can lessen this risk by controlling the amount of air leaving the air compressor. You do that using the pressure regulator. All air compressors have one.
The regulator will allow you to decrease the flow of air to fit your needs. In this case, you need the air pressure to be low enough not to damage the pool.
Inflating A Pool With An Air Compressor Dos And Don’ts List
Do not over-inflate the pool.
No over-filling is the first rule of inflating a pool. Putting too much air into the pool can cause it to burst. You should not try to blow up the pool to get rid of every single wrinkle. Doing so may cause you to put in too much air.
Do not put air into the pool while there is water in it. Do not add water while you are filling it up either. Doing this can cause it to burst as well. So ensure the pool is empty.
Fill the pool in an area that is flat and has no sharp objects. The place where you fill the pool must be neat. One of the ways you can preserve the integrity of your inflatable pool is by placing it over a clean surface.
How To Inflate A Pool With An Air Compressor
Inflating a kiddie pool and an adult-sized pool with an air compressor follows the same set of rules.
Step 1 – The Setup
Both portable air compressors and air compressors stationed at home need to be linked to a power source. Then you have to switch it on.
If you have a tank-operated air compressor, you have to wait for the air to build up inside it before you can begin inflating your pool.
For portable air compressor units, the process is one small difference. And that is, you do not need to wait. If you’re on the go, you can link the air compressor to the cigarette lighter in your car. There is no tank to fill with air, so it begins to inflate the pool right away.
Step 2 – The connection
Take the cap off the fill nipple on the pool and keep it out of the way.
Fit the end of the hose of your air compressor to the fill nipple of the pool. Ensure the fitting of the air compressor sits well on the pool’s filler valve. That you won’t underestimate or overestimate the fill time.
- Remain alert
Your pool is on the way to being filled but remember to remain alert. Pay attention to the filling process the entire time. Over-inflating the pool will cause it to burst.
- Break the connection
Once the pool is tight enough, pull back the air compressor hose but be careful when you do.
Place the cap back on the fill nipple of the pool. Most inflatable toys come with a stopper that prevents the air from escaping. If yours does not have a stoping mechanism or has a leaking fill nipple, put the cap back on right away. If you do not, the pool will begin to deflate.
Step 3 – Turning Off The Air Compressor
You’ve inflated your pool and disconnected the air compressor from it. Before you go having fun, you still need to turn the air compressor off.
For tank-operated electric air compressors, releasing the whip or pushing the off button is not enough. That’s because, after use, you need to drain the tank.
Air compressors collect water vapor from the air they siphon into the tank. If you do not drain the tank, the water begins to cause problems for your compressed air unit. Over time, the problem will expand and affect the tools that you use it on.
Here’s what you need to do.
- Unplug the air compressor from the wall outlet.
- Find the drainage valve
Most air compressors have the draining valve located at the lowest part of the tank. In some rare cases, you may have a side draining valve. Take the cap off the drain valve and allow the water collected inside the tank to drain out. To get rid of all the water, you may have to tilt the tank a bit.
Once all the water is gone, close the valve. Some people suggest leaving the valve open for a while so inside the tank does not remain damp. If you decide to do that, remember to put the cap back on the valve before using the air compressor again.
For those of you who own portable compressed air devices, there is no need for all that. There is no tank to empty. All you have to do is unplug your system from the power source and tuck it away.
Now it’s time to answer some frequently asked questions about inflating a pool with an air compressor.
Frequently Asked Questions On How To Inflate A Pool With An Air Compressor
Can You Inflate A Kiddie Pool With A High PSI-rated Compressor?
There are no rules against inflating your kiddie pool your standard tank-operated home compressed air machine. Doing so follows the same process that we described above, but you must be very alert. Because these air compressors release air at such high speeds, the pool will fill in no time.
If you leave the air compressor in for too long, you can rupture the pool. Follow the steps above to fill your kiddie pool with this compressor.
Is It Safe To Inflate A Pool With An Air Compressor?
Inflating a pool with an air compressor is both safe and easy. The only thing you need to remember is to stay alert. Losing focus could cause you to overfill the pool. Doing so will cause the pool to burst.
Are There Other Ways To Inflate A Pool?
Other than the mouth-to-filler nipple, there are quite a few methods available to inflate your pool. I will make a list of them here with brief descriptions. Then I will explain why using a compressed air machine is the better option.
The Air Pump Method
There are three types of pumps you can use to do this job.
- Hand pump
- Bicycle pump
- Foot pump
The benefits of using one of these are you do not need a power source. You can use them anywhere. The second benefit is that there is a lowered risk of overfilling the pool.
The downside to this method is that it will take a while. Your arms or leg, if you use a foot pump, are bound to tire out.
Hair Dryer With Water Bottle Method
You’ve read right. If you have no other means to inflate your pool, all you need is an empty water bottle and a hairdryer.
Cut the bottle and fit it around the blowing end of the hairdryer.
Use tape to secure it in place and create a tight seal so the air won’t escape.
Push the mouth of the bottle up to the filler nipple of the pool.
Turn the dryer on
This is a convenient way to inflate your pool if you have no other option. But it does require you to make changes to your hairdryer.
Using a small vacuum cleaner and leaf blower also follows a similar pattern.
Shop-vac Method
Switch the shop-vac setting to blow. Push the end of the hose to the filler nipple of the inflatable pool. But you will need to create a seal around the hose and the filler nipple. You also have to hold the hose tightly in place. Without a seal and a firm hold, the air will escape.
Large Bag Method
Out of all the methods I mentioned, this one is the trickiest and most time-consuming. It works but I would only recommend using it if you have no other option. Or if you are curious to know if it does indeed work.
All you need to do this is a large trash bag.
- Set your pool down and open the valve.
- Shake the trash bag open so that it collects air.
Trap the air by squeezing anywhere below the opening of the bag. You want it to look like a balloon.
- Use your finger to make a hole in the top of the bag.
Loosen your hold on it a little and stick your index finger in. The hole has to be about the size of the filler nipple.
Press the hole you made to the filler nipple and push on the bag to transfer the air to the pool.
- Keep repeating this method until the pool is the right size.
Which would you choose if your choice is between using your mouth or the large bag?
Why Is An Air Compressor Better?
If you do not have an air compressor, all the methods mentioned above are tested and tried. They will get the job done. But out of all them, air compressors still provide the best way of inflating your pool.
You do not need to make any modifications to compressed air units. The fittings of the air compressor and inflatable pool fit well together. So you are guaranteed a proper fill. And it takes less time to use an air compressor than these other methods.
Conclusion
Putting air into your inflatable pool doesn’t have to be a chore. There are simpler, faster ways than using your mouth or even a hand pump.
Air compressors are the best option for filling up your pool quickly and easily. They are a convenient multipurpose tool. Stick to the instructions in this article. You will have your inflatable pool up and ready to go in no time.
