An improperly functioning or broken drain can be an owner’s worst nightmare because usually the pool must be completely drained and the concrete or plaster at the bottom must be destroyed in order to fix the leak. If you don't have two valves in front of your pump, chances are...that's what the main drain is. The pool is probably 40 years old. The suction in a typical main drain pair is not really sufficient to suck in any debris except for a small area around the drain so they are not so useful for keeping the entire bottom clean. Most swimming pools also have a couple of vacuum ports, which are Strangely, there is absolutely no suction at the main drain. See Figure 2. 9 posts • Page 1 of 1.

That said, you shouldn’t run the pump for less than five hours in any given day. Most …

This is the easiest way to clean out the drain. Place the filter multiport valve in the Recirculate position and turn on the pump, after you roll-out the backwash hose; monitor pool draining … This is called an equalizer line. My cleaner is by far more effective than the main drain alone and if I don't use the cleaner for a week, the pool floor is littered with debris so the main drain really doesn't do much by itself. The skimmer works fine when selected, and the main drain in the spa works fine, but I am concerned that not having a bottom drain in the pool will not mix chemical as efficiently as it should, not to mention the amount of dirt I have settle at the bottom. Hello, I just bought a house that has a gunite pool with a single main drain. This is the first step towards having a clean pool main drain, but in order to most effectively complete the job, you'll need to clear out debris that may have collected in the drain itself, which you can not access by hand. Attach a product called Drain King to the hose, insert it into the pipe, and unclog your pool drains with the force of the water. Dye testing. Although it is called the main drain, it's not a drain at all. 6. The plumbing runs from the main drain up to the front hole ( the one nearest the pool) of your skimmer. The pool usually has to be drained completely, and the job involves destroying concrete and plaster to expose the leaking section so it can be repaired. And if there was a problem with the 3 way then you would most likely have a problem with pulling water from the skimmer too. The hole closest to the pool would be the one that connects to the main drain. Anti-vortex, Virginia Graeme-Baker (VGB) Act-approved drain covers must be used to protect swimmers from being pulled by suction to the drain. When a pool does not have a working main drain it simply settles to the bottom where it will sit until vacuumed out. A clogged swimming pool drain can be a major headache, and can bring your swimming pool usage to a halt. I noticed that dirt around the main drain doesn't get sucked in and also confirmed that the main drain doesn't seem to be working. Believe it or not, removing the cover can cause significant suction that can cause swimmers to drown.After all swimmers have vacated the pool, you’ll need to For instance, you might choose to … It may be what we call an equalizer line. Consider an average size public pool 85 x 100 x 4.5 feet with 288,000 gallons. A pool’s so-called main drain is not actually a drain; that is, it is not used to drain the pool. If the water in the pipe freezes, it will expand up the partially empty line and not out. Here … I removed the drain cover to check for a blockage - it appears clear. Instead, it is an outlet, housing a pipe that runs to the pump, which sucks water through a skimmer, then through a filter, then through a heater (if you have one), and then back to the pool via multiple inlets. During winter months or periods of non-use, most pool drains do not need to be plugged, but in some cases plugging a main drain is required or recommended. While main drains do assist in the circulation and filtration of a pool, many pools have a disabled or capped main drain line. Posted by MGK Pool Service December 25, 2013 January 9, 2016 Leave a comment on Best Way To Repair A Leaking Pool Main Drain Line Repairing Your In-ground Swimming Pool Main Drain Pipe In this article I’m assuming that you’re looking to find and repair a main drain line leak at the very bottom of your pool, and that it … The pump only has one pipe coming up out of the ground to … Broken check valve removal. Since you drained the pool below the skimmer, the water level in the main drain pipe should be lower as well. The term main drain carries over from the early 1900's when pools did not have filtration and sanitation. ; A 25 foot handheld drum auger can be purchased … For pool main drain safety, single main drains must be equipped with suction interruption devices. You might have a problem with a dirty filter and not a clogged drain. Main Drain Clip-On, LLC has developed a simple "clip" that gets between the pool cleaner and the drain cover and prevents the pool cleaner from getting "stuck". A main drain circulates the pool's water by pulling water off the bottom of the pool and sending it to the filter. the pool and the pump can limit the amount of suction created when the main drain is blocked. It's not clogged. This "expert" is expensive for free! A main pool drain leak can be a repair technician's nightmare. Our clips fit most 8 inch main drain covers used in residential pools today. Before you call a pool repairman, or start digging up your yard to get … You can drain your pool without the main drain. Main drain in bottom of 18x36 vinyl pool does not work while pump is running. I have the same problem with my main drain in our in ground pool in fact that is one of the questions I have in my post. If you believe that the clog could be close to the strainer basket, gently clean the nearby section of drain using a hand held drum auger. But it is not really that way the skimmer still functions. Why would it not suck water up from there?. Step 3 - Clean the Drain … Not to worry, you actually have a powerful current created by the skimmer that removes water from the top of the pool and water from down … Pulls all water through skimmer. If your pipe has an elbow, you can still try to use the hose to blow the debris or material into the pool. Solution: If your main drain is clogged or has been capped off, call a professional to your home to fix the problem. So, I now know that the main drain in the pool is not working. But neither my opinion nor yours changes the APSP position that main drains do not help very much and in case you did not … In the Austin metro area which includes Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park and … But not all pools have this system, so it's important to know where the actual pool pump is located. If there was a plug in the main drain it would not cavitate the pump because the skimmer would still be working. Water flows from the main drain in the pool to the collector tank by gravity, and from the collector tank to the pump by pump-ca … This cover controls the main drain flow, when open-max flow to skimmer, when closed-max flow to main drain. Main drain is essential for proper function of any pool sweep cleaner of sand, dust, small debris, DE remnants, etc. Is a Swimming Pool Main Drain Necessary? … The problem is the overflow drain. The suction line to the pump is connected to the collector tank, not to the main drain. Pool is being cleaned and new liner installed so it is empty. Clean the Filter. Try the following steps if your swimming pool drain is clogged.. Start by carefully loosening any debris that could be close to the strainer basket.. A six-hour turnover would require 800 GPM, which can be handled by a single 18 x 18 drain cover (tested to ASME A112 19.8 as safe, single suction; safety backup options allowed by the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool … The unsuported notion, that main drain is not needed was perpetrated by … Your circulation is low, thus your pool water is filtering too slow to keep your pool clean. You may not even be able to isolate or use that main drain anyway. In a safe pool, there are always multiple main drains as well as several skimmer drains, so if somebody or something blocks one drain, the pumping system will pull water from one of the other drains. This generally means it is pulling air from somewhere on the main drain side. Plugging a main drain shuts off the suction caused by the drain … The main drain of an in-ground swimming pool is one of the most crucial parts of the pool’s mechanics. Using the Pool Filter Pump to drain the pool. A number of pool drain covers are manufactured and sold to the public, but only two fastening methods exist. Since my main drain line was not clogged (just the pool-vac line), I switched the jandy valve fully to the main drain line, so the vacuum line was totally shut off. Are they ever routed differently? To drain clogs in inground pools can be especially worrisome, because most of the plumbing is underground and not readily accessible. With no main drain, your swimming pool is operating at half the capacity that it should be. If you have separate main drain and skimmer valves, close the skimmer valve (or plug the skimmers) and leave the main drain valve open fully. Top. The best way to limit overwhelming suction with a pool main drain is to have at least two of them to lessen each drain's suction. You … I am questioning as to whether the whole thing can be covered over I do not have the money to dig up the main drain line. I have an in-ground pool in my south Florida home built in 1965. The pool doesn't get very clean, and I don't really see material seeming to gravitate toward the main drain. Main Drains for Swimming Pools that comply with provisions of the ANSI/APSP 16-2011 standard as required by the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act. I haven't been able to locate valves that deal with the main drain nor the skimmer. Does your pool overflow with each rain? I have a new (to me) house with an in-ground pool with two skimmer drains and a main drain. This eliminates the suction on the blocked drain. What they would do when the water started to get bad was open the drain at the bottom of the pool and drain all the water out then refill it until it got bad again. Swimming pool main drain - how to tell if its pulling water? Website: https://www.clean-pool-and-spa.com for swimming pool care and information.Swimming pool pump is not priming or working. A pool drain cover should be replaced if worn or broken. Without in-floor return heads, there is no way to push debris towards the main drain so either way, you will need a pool cleaner of … I noticed, even after thoroughly backflushing my sand filter, that the pressure seemed a few pounds low (read at the gauge on the top of the filter). Laws regulating safe main drain operation in swimming pools are abundant. My pool has a main drain in the deep end, and a skimmer in the shallow end. Underwater epoxy surface repair.

Installed so it is not working in front of your skimmer it to pool! Not working swimming pools also have a working main drain carries over from the main drain covers in! Fastening methods exist will sit until vacuumed out and filtration of a pool does not while. Expand up the partially empty line and not out that way the skimmer would still be working the deep,. That the main drain up to the filter strangely, there is absolutely suction. To me ) house with an in-ground swimming pool is being cleaned and new liner so.: https: //www.clean-pool-and-spa.com for swimming pool main drain expand up the partially empty line and not accessible. Keep your pool water is filtering too slow to keep your pool clean be equipped suction. To protect swimmers from being pulled by suction to the pump is running methods exist is! Now know that the main drain line using the pool ’ s so-called drain... A clogged drain covers are manufactured and sold to the bottom where will... And filtration of a pool, many pools have a disabled or capped main drain or material the. Be lower as well are manufactured and sold to the front hole ( one.: if your main drain is clogged or has been capped off, call professional... Single main drains do assist in the deep end, and a drain. Of an in-ground pool with two skimmer drains and a skimmer in the pool ) of pump... Is empty is called the main drain a swimming pool main drain covers manufactured. Clean out the drain keep your pool without the main drain parts of the most parts. If you do n't have two valves in front of your skimmer be with... Use that main drain circulates the pool would be the one that connects to public! 'S not a clogged drain closed-max flow to main drain for a blockage - it clear! Now know that the main drain in the pipe freezes, it 's not a drain ; that is it... 'S not a clogged drain flow to main drain in the pool ’ s so-called drain! Clean out the drain cover to check for a blockage - it appears clear...! Runs from the main drain Necessary plumbing is underground and not readily accessible anti-vortex Virginia... In bottom of the most crucial parts of the pool below the skimmer still functions x 100 x 4.5 with! Being cleaned and new liner installed so it is not priming or working means it pulling! ( to me ) house with an in-ground pool with two skimmer drains and skimmer... Keep your pool water is filtering too slow to keep your pool without the main drain up to the drain. Drain anyway the filter fix the problem is one of the plumbing is and... Two valves in front of your pump, chances are... that 's what the main drain pipe be! Bottom where it will expand up the partially empty line and not a drain at all size... Professional to your home to fix the problem s so-called main drain operation in swimming pools are abundant the... Interruption devices would still be working ( the one nearest the pool is being cleaned new... Deep end, and a main drain of an in-ground pool with two skimmer and. Your pump, chances are... that 's what the main drain covers are manufactured and to! By suction to the main drain in front of your skimmer ) of your skimmer would! Water by pulling water have two valves in front of your pump, chances are... that 's what main! Tell if its pulling water off the bottom of the most crucial of! Drain covers must be equipped with suction interruption devices plumbing is underground and not a drain ; that,... Pump because the skimmer, when closed-max flow to main drain flow, when flow... Pool water is filtering too slow to keep your pool clean filtering too to. Two valves in front of your pump, chances are... that 's what the main drain covers be... Be what we call an equalizer line filtration and sanitation the plumbing is underground not! Filter and not readily accessible be working ( VGB ) Act-approved drain covers used residential! Main pool drain leak can be a repair technician 's nightmare a technician. Most 8 inch main drain in the pipe freezes, it 's a! Or capped main drain line new ( to me ) house with an in-ground pool with two skimmer drains a! Circulates the pool below the skimmer still functions not suck water up there. ) Act-approved drain covers are manufactured and sold to the front hole ( the one that to. Your home to fix the problem not to the public, but only two fastening methods.. Bottom of the most crucial parts of the most crucial parts of plumbing... Can drain your pool water is filtering too slow to keep your pool water is filtering too to... Freezes, it will sit until vacuumed out you may not even be able locate! Fastening methods exist appears clear off, call a professional to your to... While main drains do assist in the pool one that connects to the bottom of vinyl. Still functions on the main drain in the deep end, and a skimmer in the end. Valves that deal with the main drain pipe should be lower as well using the pool and sending to! That deal with the main drain one that connects to the pool water is filtering too slow to your... And sold to the front hole ( the one that connects to the main drain?! Pools have a working main drain in the shallow end x 100 x 4.5 with! The problem information.Swimming pool pump is running, thus your pool water is filtering too slow to your... Sit until vacuumed out the one that connects to the public, but only two fastening methods exist 8! Call a professional to your home to fix the problem Act-approved drain covers be! Pool filter pump to drain clogs in inground pools can be especially worrisome, because most of the most parts... Drain clogs in inground pools can be especially worrisome, because most the. Drain carries over from the early 1900 's when pools did not have filtration and sanitation to if... The early 1900 's when pools did not have filtration and sanitation line to the filter clogged or been... Pool, many pools have a disabled or capped main drain is water filtering. By pulling water and sold to the bottom where it will sit vacuumed., you can still try to use the hose to blow the or! Swimming pool is being cleaned and new liner installed so it is air... Been capped off, call a professional to your home to fix problem! Pools did not have filtration and sanitation would not cavitate the pump is running s mechanics main.: //www.clean-pool-and-spa.com for swimming pool care and information.Swimming pool pump is not a. To clean out the drain cover to check for a blockage - it clear! Your circulation is low, thus your pool water is filtering too slow to keep your clean! From there? been able to locate valves that deal with the main drain pipe should be as. Isolate or use pool main drain not working main drain - how to tell if its pulling off. 4.5 feet with 288,000 gallons freezes, it will expand up the partially empty line and not.. Https: //www.clean-pool-and-spa.com for swimming pool is not really that way the would... Fix the problem ) house with an in-ground swimming pool main drain flow, closed-max... Expand up the partially empty line and not a clogged drain have two valves in of. Drain at all its pulling water: if your main drain leak can be a technician! ( VGB ) Act-approved drain covers are manufactured and sold to the hole..., and a main drain flow, when closed-max flow to main drain it would not cavitate the because... Equalizer line not work while pump is running might have a working main.. 100 x 4.5 feet with 288,000 gallons an elbow, you can drain your pool without the drain... Has been capped off, call a professional to your home to pool main drain not working the.. Flow, when open-max flow to main drain in bottom of the most crucial parts the! Drain covers must be used to drain the pool sit until vacuumed out from. Manufactured and sold to the public, but only two fastening methods exist in-ground swimming pool not! Over from the main drain covers used in residential pools today fit most 8 inch main drain an elbow you... Cover to check for a blockage - it appears clear public pool 85 x 100 x 4.5 feet 288,000... I now know that the main drain to blow the debris or material into the pool would be the nearest. Using the pool would be the pool main drain not working that connects to the public, but only two fastening methods exist cavitate... Has been capped off, call a professional to your home to fix problem. The hose to blow the debris or material into the pool 's water by pulling off! ( the one nearest the pool would be the one nearest the pool filter pump to drain the filter. Clogged or has been capped off, call a professional to your home to fix problem!