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what does the main drain do in a pool

by Minnie Gibson Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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5 Benefits of Having Main Drains in Your Inground Pool?

  • 1. Main drains can save you money People in colder climates often drain all or part of their pools each winter season. ...
  • 2. Pool water release is easy with main drains Main drains make releasing pool water easy, fast and stress-free. ...
  • 3. Main drains ensure pool clarity ...
  • 4. Inground pool main drains keep water temperatures consistent ...
  • 5. Main drains save you time

The main drain is the primary way that water is drawn from your pool into the pump and filter. The main drain is located on the bottom of the pool in the deepest part. Most pools have one, but larger pools may have multiple main drains. Main drains must be protected by an approved cover.

Full Answer

How do swimming pool main drains work?

Swimming pool main drains are one of two mechanisms used in many pools to circulate and filter their water, the other being skimmers. Skimmers sit near a swimming pool's waterline, taking in water via gravity and letting it flow down to the filter.

What is the difference between a pool pump and drain?

Rather, a swimming pool's main drain, if it has one, is a suction device. A pump is located underneath or near a swimming pool equipped with a main drain and it's used to pull water down into the drain.

Do you need a main drain for a swimming pool?

If you have a large swimming pool, main drains are needed to coordinate with skimmers and your filter system to clean your water. If it is a commercial swimming pool or one exposed to many intruders, there will be a need for more than one main drain in the swimming pool. How Do I Recognize If My Swimming Pool Has One Or Not?

What are the advantages of a main drain?

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. Main drains are also helpful in the filtering of water and dirt from the bottom of the pool.

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What does a pool main drain do?

What a swimming pool main drain actually does is act as a suction that takes the water out of the pool and sends it back to the filter to be cleaned, so that it can then redistribute it back into the pool. In 2007 the United States passed the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act.

Why is it important to clean the main drain in a swimming pool?

Cleaning the swimming pool main drain is important so that it doesn’t become clogged and so that it can continue to perform its job properly. There is also a pressurized clog remover that you can use on the main drain in your swimming pool to unclog any debris from the main drain with a highly pressurized blast of air.

Why do pools have dome shaped covers?

This act stated that any public swimming pools have dome-shaped covers over their swimming pool main drains so that the possibility of entrapment is reduced.

How many drains did the pool guy install?

Two main drains were installed by the Pool Guy during this renovation job, an electric drill is not normally used for this to avoid any potential tears in the liner during installation. Two main drains were installed by the Pool Guy during this renovation job.

Where is the main drain in a swimming pool?

Main Drains for Swimming Pools Anti-Entrapment Style. 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.

Is it dangerous to drain a pool?

The problem is that they can be very dangerous pieces of equipment in the pool, and that many pool owners don’t realize it. Because of that, they don’t take care to properly guard their swimming pool main drain, until tragedy strikes. One of the biggest misconceptions about swimming pool main drains is that they actually drain the pool.

Do private pools have to replace drains?

The government did not make it mandatory that private pools take steps to replace existing main drains, however, if you will be doing any work to your pool it’s a great time to make the change for safety.

What does a main drain do to a pool?

In addition to acting as pool filters, main drains keep water temperatures consistent by circulating water throughout the pool. As a result, you won’t have to worry about warm and cold water pockets scattered throughout your inground pool.

What is the purpose of a pool drain?

Main drains make releasing pool water easy, fast and stress-free. I think it’s safe to say that most people don’t like to make a taste harder than it has to be.

How many main drains are necessary for inground pools?

Most inground pools are equipped with two main drains. These two drains are generally three feet apart and located at the pool’s deepest point. While it is possible to have only one main drain, two main drains ensure the suction will shift to the second drain if one drain should happen to be blocked.

Why is a pool circulation system important?

Having a pool circulation system is vital for keeping pool water clean and free of debris. While inground pools are often equipped with several water outlets and filters, it is the main drains that keep water circulating at the bottom of the pool. In addition to improving water circulation, main drains also lower the water level, as well as filter the water.

Why is it important to have a drain in your pool?

In addition to providing a means to get water out of your pool, the main drain also provides healthy circulation of water in your pool. Circulation is important for the water temperature to be consistent throughout the body of water. Water circulation also helps to keep a pool clean by keeping the water chemistry evenly distributed.

Do you need a sump pump for a pool?

People in colder climates often drain all or part of their pools each winter season. In the event that you need to drain or even lower the level of your pool, without a main drain you will most likely need to buy a sump pump. Why shell out extra money later on a sump pump when you can simply install a main drain during your pool installation?

Do you need a main drain in an inground pool?

In short, main drains are not a required component of an inground pool. However, they are highly recommended. Having main drains could save you time, money, and headaches in the event that you need or want to drain your pool. Main drains also help to keep your pool clean.

Where are the main drains and skimmers located in an inground pool?

Skimmers are located on the swimming pool wall.

Why do you need two suction points in a pool?

First, there is the Virginia Graeme Baker Safety Act which requires two suction points in your pool for safety vacuum release reasons . The second reason is simply in order to provide your pump with plenty of water.

Do you need a skimmer in an inground pool?

If you have a prevailing wind in your area, you will want at least one skimmer on a wall opposite from the prevailing wind. Main drains are not required in an inground swimming pool, however, they are strongly recommended and can be extremely useful in some circumstances.

How long does it take for a pool to drain?

On average, the drain alone can take between 8 and 14 hours. This, of course, depends on your pool size and drain rate produced by your pump.

When Should You Drain A Swimming Pool?

Draining a pool should always be a last resort, so be absolutely certain you’ve exhausted all avenues when it comes to water balancing or repairing broken areas of the pool.

Why drain a pool with green water?

Issues like green pool water, high levels of calcium or cyanuric acid in the pool may require a partial drain to dilute the water. This isn’t half as labor intensive or costly as a full drain. Additionally, you may still be able to rectify some of these water issues through the addition of certain chemicals.

How to reduce pool fill time?

Using a hose connected to a backyard spigot, lay it into the pool and turn on the water. If you can use more than one spigot and hose simultaneously, you’ll significantly reduce your fill time.

Why do pool lights shatter?

Pool lights will shatter if they’re left on when water isn’t present, and the pump can take on air which will damage it.

When is the best time to drain a pool?

The best time to do a drain is in weather under 85°F, and if possible, during the cooler months. The end of pool season (September/October) is popular for this reason.

Why do pools fade?

Due to the amount of harsh chemicals and sunlight, the painted finish on these pools will eventually begin to fade and need a fresh coat.

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1.Purpose of Main Drains in Pools | eHow

Url:https://www.ehow.com/info_8669630_purpose-main-drains-pools.html

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2.Facts About Swimming Pool Main Drains – Ask the Pool …

Url:https://askthepoolguy.com/facts-about-swimming-pool-main-drains/

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Url:https://homepoolworld.com/are-main-drains-required-for-an-inground-pool/

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4.Are Main Drains and Skimmers Required for Inground …

Url:https://blog.royalswimmingpools.com/blog/are-main-drains-and-skimmers-required-for-in-ground-pools

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12 hours ago  · The Main drain pot at the bottom of your pool provides increased mixing of the water in your pool. Provided it is hooked up on its own dedicated line. The water gets sucked …

6.Videos of What Does the Main Drain Do In a Pool

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3 hours ago Purpose Of the Main Drain In a Swimming Pool. The main drain doesn’t directly mean a medium that drains water from your pool, although it is capable of draining water too. The main drain is …

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