After the pool is emptied, you can take it apart. Continue plumbing by adding more of the pipe to go out of the pool's bottom and then glue a piece upward toward the pool's pump. What's the fastest way to drain an above ground pool? This divides suction force evenly between the skimmer and the main drain. So, since you have made this investment, let's test out the pull of water into your main drain to find out what works best for your pool. We want to do this when we install a new liner because we live in an area where there is a really fine dusting of coal dust and I hate to see that settled on the bottom of the pool floor. Sunlight and weather can damage the liner of an empty pool. And if you've never drained your pool before, doing it the wrong way can damage your pool liner, or worse: the whole thing can collapse. You have three options for how to drain an above ground pool: siphoning water with a garden hose, using a submersible pump, or using your pool's drain adapter. Step #5 Glue the PVC Pipe to the Main Drain and Set. Keep the pool cover free of debris to avoid damage to cover and to the above-ground pool.
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to drain an above ground pool with or without a pump. Learn more about main drains and above ground pools here. Ionizers and Mineral Purifiers.
What do I install at the bottom around the main drain to assist in a no leak install. Replacing a pool liner is a big job, but it's necessary if your liner is starting to show its age. The main drain must be tapped up to cover the screw holes. Main drains typically don't leak, but they will get blamed for leaking almost every time. Here's a step-by-step walk-through of each method. Now that the seal plate is firmly in place, you can cut the liner. Otherwise, most minor leaks and liner repairs can be done while there is still water in the pool. If you want to determine how safe (or dangerous) your pool main drains are then you need to know whether the pump sucks directly from the main drain (active), or whether the pump only draws from the skimmer and the main drain supplies a non-pressure equalizer line to the skimmer (passive). With me not being a fear-monger, I don't recommend installing two main drains. Prepare the main drain. Before the onset of the cold season, remove any debris from the pool and bring the chlorine level to 5 ppm. GLI Above Ground Pool Fencing. How to Refill Your Above Ground Pool. As the pump begins to run, ensure your swimming pool's water level is decreasing before leaving the equipment unattended as it drains.
Beach Blankets & Towels. 6 inch Small Mouth Complete Above Ground Standard Wall Skimmer. Feherguard Inground Solar Roller Parts. Many pool owners, aware of the potential danger of pool main drains, ask the question "do you need a main drain in a swimming pool? Medium PVC glue, 100% silicone, a hacksaw, a tape measure, a shovel, and a torpedo level (if you want it to look good). A pointer on one side of the valve indicates the setting. 5" drain box for vinyl or fiberglass pools, gaskets, frames and screws for installation. Everyone seems to know that all in-ground pools have main drains, but it occurs to just a few that vinyl lined above grounds can have them too. They act as a suction device drawing water from the pool bottom the same as a drain but they move around to get the dirt instead of you having to push the dirt to the center. The main drains are usually located on the lowest point in the pool, so the entire pool surface slants toward them. This area should be away from the pool, and the ground should be level to avoid flooding. Once the water level is low enough that the pump isn't pushing water out, turn it off and take it out of the pool. These holes can very easily get dirt in them. In most pools, the pump suction can be diverted entirely to the skimmer, entirely to the main drain or divided between both.
Main drains for vinyl pools are designed well not to leak. Removing it isn't much fun either. Also I am not a big fan of these micro fine flying bugs that sometimes land in the pool and just swirl on top of the water. Flat V Snap Above Ground Coping. How does that pool water get through the pump and filter? You will then have all of the screws in place. Brushing is the best way to remove algae and bacteria build up on pool surfaces. We cut out all the confusion of pool maintenance in this easy-to-read illustrated ebook and video course.
Locate one of the screw holes in the main drain and partially screw in the plate with the gasket. Here are some more resources! A valve at the pump is added to the pvc pipe to regulate the flow. By the way, if you want more pool care tips like this one, check out our Pool Care Video Course. This is the top of your main drain. Ring and cover screws. The amount of vacuum force that an average pool pump can generate is FAR greater than what a swimmer can resist by pulling themselves away if they cover the main drain completely with their body. Hacksaw or Sawzall with metal or universal blade. Skimmers and main drains use PVC pipe to carry water to the pump. After that, the new code for inground pools was to install not one main drain, but two. Once it is emptied, you must tightly roll the pool wall and disconnect the pool filter system.
NOTE: Oval pools can only have the skimmer/return openings at the ends or corners of the pool (not on the straight sides). Roll of teflon tape. Now glue the "Tee" fitting to that pipe. Do not use your pool pump to drain water from your pool. With all eight screws in their respective holes, you can now tighten down the seal plate (and gasket) to the top of the main drain. There is some common misinformation circulating on the internet that leads pool owners to believe that they do not need a main drain in their pool. You'll pull air into the suction line, which can damage or burn up your pump. Thats not an issue as much as the initial install itself. Without any suction present in the main drain whatsoever, the only risk then becomes someone physically becoming stuck to the main drain with their hair or fingers. Dual main drains are certainly superior to single suction main drains in terms of reducing the risk of an entrapment in the pool, and while it can not be said that this solves the concern for risk completely, you should upgrade to dual main drains the next time your pool is renovated. Once the water reaches halfway up your skimmer, you can turn on your pool pump and filter again. But you'll need the right pool brush to get the job done.
© 2023 Our Pool Store. The reality is that most pools should have a main drain, and many pools must have a main drain in order to function properly. Not only will this protect your pool from freezing temperatures, but storing your pool in the off-season may be required to preserve your warranty. If you have a vinyl liner swimming pool it is possible to delete the main drain completely when the liner is replaced. Measure in from the pool track or wall in three different places to determine the center of the pool. I make this note because I believe you should dive into your pool plumbing as soon as you can so you can feel comfortable with the whole setup. My concerns are likely hood of leaks.
The main drain is then cut into the pool's liner making a leak free seal using gaskets and a multi-screwed face plate. To make the install much easier, use the side opening for your plumbing connection and just plug the bottom opening. However, if your cyanuric acid or Total Dissolved Solid levels are too high, you'll need to partially drain and replace your water. Vent systems should be designed by a qualified engineer who can do the calculations necessary. This will leave only the pipe that's sticking up outside of the pool visible. Removing or moving your swimming pool can be a daunting task. It acts like a vacuum to remove water quickly, but you'll need to monitor it while it's running. I'm a big fan of main drains. NOTE: The bottom track of the pool must already be set and leveled before installing the main drain. It is rare that you will ever have to completely drain an above-ground pool, unless you take it down every year for the winter. What I mean by "equipment" is a pump and filter. Once the hose is completely full of water, unscrew it from the spigot.
This stage of plumbing requires some forethought. And the ground has dirt and sand. 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.