How does the main drain in a pool work?
A pool’s so-called main drain is not actually a drain; that is, it is not used to drain the pool. 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.
Do all pools have a main drain?
Main drains are not required in an inground swimming pool, however, they are strongly recommended and can be extremely useful in some circumstances. The advantages of main drains are to give you the ability to drain the water from your pool without the use of a sump pump. This is useful when replacing your pool liner.
Where is the main drain in a swimming pool?
The main drain in your swimming pool is very easy to locate – it sits right at the bottom of the pool. But locating them isn’t actually the problem with swimming pool main drains.
How big of a drain do you need for a swimming pool?
New residential swimming pool code requires two main drains to be installed into the pool bottom, at least 5′ apart, and to also have these dome-shaped covers over their main drains. There’s very little maintenance involved in a main drain of a swimming pool other than cleaning it and the cover.
What to do if you have a main drain leak in your pool?
Make sure the leak is around the main drain, which is located at the bottom of the pool and empties underneath the pool. The drain’s line leads to the pool pump, along with the skimmer line. Turn off all circuits and power to the pool equipment. Use a submersible pump to drain the pool completely of all water.
Where is the leak in my swimming pool?
The leak is probably in the pipe leading from the drain back up to the skimmer piping that leads to the pump. Most likely the pipe is cracked/broken right at the current water level. You should have noticed this much leakage prior to closing the pool.
The main drain in your swimming pool is very easy to locate – it sits right at the bottom of the pool. But locating them isn’t actually the problem with swimming pool main drains.
New residential swimming pool code requires two main drains to be installed into the pool bottom, at least 5′ apart, and to also have these dome-shaped covers over their main drains. There’s very little maintenance involved in a main drain of a swimming pool other than cleaning it and the cover.
When to plug the main drain in an inground pool?
Plug your inground swimming pool’s main drain to prepare for winter. Lower the water level of the inground swimming pool so the main drain is easily reachable. Drain the water completely during colder months. Ensure all pool equipment is turned off.
Where does the water go in a swimming pool?
Most of the dirt in a properly constructed pool goes down the drain, by itself, before the poolman even arrives. If I were to build a real swimming pool in the very state you claim to be a pool professional in with no main drain it would be red-tagged, not allowed to be filled with water. For good reason.
