Once you have decided where the pool's equipment (pump/filter) is going, mark a line from the center hole that you made for the main drain out to where the pump is going to be. I say one, because they will come in packs of two as in some places, the code is to install two main drains. Once the water is out, you can remove the old liner. Pulling in water from the depths of the pool ensures all debris and impurities are removed from the water by the filter system and not just those floating in the top few inches. But you can also rent one from a local hardware store if it's a one-time job and you want to save some money. Doing so may cause damage to your pool liner. Hot Tub Accessories. The main drain is the primary way that water is drawn from your pool into the pump and filter. A salt generator is a coated plate that is electrically charged. Main Drains For Above Ground Pools. Keeps the pool cleaner by sucking up bottom debris. 5" sch40 fittings including several 90°slip to slip, male threaded to slip, couplings, and one 3-way (tee). The ones that I did see leaking were all leaking for the same reason – Because the screw holes had dirt in them and the seal plate could not be tightened down all the way.
For most doing it for the first time, this will be scary. Just because some pools can limp along and get by with the main drain deleted does not mean that deleting the main drain in your pool is a good idea. In my 36 years of being in the business, I have very rarely seen a leaking main drain. So, since the pump and filter should be in front of these openings, this means that your oval pool's equipment should be placed at either end of the pool. Installing a main drain in an above ground pool is one of the best things you can do for it. Once the liner at the inside of the ring is cut out, screw down the main drain cover using the two supplied screws. What about the rest of the water in the pool especially the water at the bottom? This generator is plumbed in a similar way to a chlorinator: after the pump, filter and heater. Inground Walk In Steps. Write Your Own Review. The pipe should come out of the ground and go into a three way valve. And others who do know will not opt to get one as they are too afraid that they will leak. Connect the line to the pump and skimmer. If you have a vinyl liner swimming pool it is possible to delete the main drain completely when the liner is replaced.
NOTE: The main drain seal ring should only be installed AFTER the liner is in place. In some cases, return lines are plumbed into the floor, creating a cleaning system that pushes debris toward the main drain. It's time to bury the pipe. Luckily, all pool maintenance mistakes are fixable. I am going to say yes, it should be 100% open doing its job to circulate the water at the bottom of your pool. 6 inch Small Mouth Complete Above Ground Standard Wall Skimmer. Standard Above Ground Return Jet Fitting ABS Complete. This is why main drain lids are (now) designed with safety as the paramount concern. The hose on the outside of the pool needs to be lower than the water level in the pool. These pumps detect a sudden increase in the restriction to flow of the system and turn off. Feherguard Inground Solar Roller Parts.
Once the water reaches halfway up your skimmer, you can turn on your pool pump and filter again. Any debris that floats -- leaves, suntan oil, hair -- leaves the pool through these drains. If you went the route of getting the main drain in your above-ground pool, I applaud you and think that it will be money well spent. If the walls of your pool extend less than 1 foot into the ground, you will want to drain off some of the water inside to complete the winterizing process. If one drain is blocked, the suction is able to shift to the second drain allowing swimmer to swim both freely and safely. Need More Pool Maintenance Help?
It's as simple as that when trying to figure out when to close your pool main drain. 5" slip to slip ball valve to each pipe. And, it should be as having a leaking pool really sucks. There are also additional features that you can add to your pool to enhance it even more, such as a heater, in-line chlorinator or salt generator.
Cutting for the main drain is really easy. All necessary clamps and fittings. Either way, you'll need to drain some or all of the water from your swimming pool. These holes can very easily get dirt in them. Download our free Pool Care Cheat Sheet.
There are eight screw holes, so you will be using 8 pieces of tape. GREEN BUILDING The Big Freeze: Inventors Break New Ground to Keep Things Cool. Jacuzzi Carvin 5-Position Filter Dial Valve Parts. Glue in one of the ball valves to the pipe that is now coming from your main drain. All pools require a filter of some kind, even above-ground. It'll help you save $100 right away on pool care! Water should be running through your hose and filling your pool. If your water level dips below your skimmer, your pump will begin to pull in air. Are pool drains dangerous? Now that the main drain hole is dug, a patio stone is at the bottom of it and level, and there is a dug trench, you can now set the drain in place. This design allows the drains to be far enough apart that one person could not block both drains simultaneously. Jacuzzi Carvin Laser Series Sand Filter Parts. Remember, try not to use an extension cord. Much more common (and practical) than deleting your main drain might be altering the main drain (decommissioning) so that it is still there, but is not actively connected to the pump.
Pros and cons to having a main drain. There are some nuances to this depending on how your pool plumbing has been set up as the main drain could keep the skimmers from pulling as much as they could. Website Setup by Sebastian Agosta. Removing the liner from the pool's frame and flipping it over to (cautiously) dump the extra water onto your property.