The purpose of pool drain covers is to prevent the powerful suction of the pool or spa drain from forming a complete seal, which could cause an individual’s body or hair to be trapped against the drain, causing them to drown. Any VGB
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Full Answer
How to cover the main drain on a pool?
Round Drain Covers
- Insert the face ring of the anti-entrapment suction outlet drain cover into the top of the round main drain of the pool.
- Attach the face ring to the pool main drain with screws.
- Place the anti-entrapment suction outlet drain cover over the face ring on the main drain of the pool.
How do you completely drain an above ground pool?
Skip to:
- Why Drain Your Above Ground Pool?
- How To Drain An Above Ground Pool (Step-By-Step)
- Step 1: Plan Where The Water Will Go
- Step 2: Pick Your Method
- A Garden Hose
- An Electric Pump
- Step 3: Start Draining The Water
- Step 4: Remove The Excess Water
- Step 5: Dry Out Your Pool
- Conclusion
Are pool covers necessary for outdoor pool?
While pool covers don’t replace water treatments, they can drastically cut down on the chemicals needed to purify a water supply. By blocking foreign debris from trees, bushes, insects and animals, covers reduce both the mechanical and chemical cleaning necessary to open up a pool in the morning.
How to drain an above ground pool without a pump?
How to drain an above ground pool
- Figure out where to dump the water. Before you start emptying the water out of your pool, you'll need to figure out where to dump it. ...
- Start a siphon. Once you’ve decided where the water will go, you can use one of a couple of methods to siphon the water: you can either cut ...
- Drain the water. ...
- Remove the remaining water. ...
What is main drain cover for pool?
Swimming pool main drain covers are designed to cover the main drain and hydrostatic valve located at the bottom of your swimming pool.
Do you need a drain pool cover?
To comply, pool owners must do only two things: install anti-entrapment drain covers on the drains ($150 or so each, like the one at right) and – if the pool has only a single drain – install an automatic pump shut off system, or a safety vacuum release system, or any suction-limiting release system.
How often should pool drain covers be replaced?
Drain cover manufacturers are required to provide the consumer with information that tells them when the drain cover must be replaced before they begin to crack or show other signs of failure. Many manufacturers have designated a life span of 5 years, others up to 10 years.
What is a pool drain?
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.
How do you inspect a pool drain cover?
Make sure the drain cover is present and firmly attached. ... Make sure there is a safety snap fitting serving the ground pool cleaner. ... Check to see if there is a safety vacuum-release system. ... Check for anti-entanglement drain covers. ... Use no drains at all. ... Install an additional drain.
How do you replace a pool drain cover?
0:309:27Underwater Repairs: Drain Covers - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTools. Now if you're a professional like me you can screw around for 10 minutes without successfullyMoreTools. Now if you're a professional like me you can screw around for 10 minutes without successfully completing the job or you can read the directions before you even beginning see these tabs.
How long are VGB drain covers good for?
Code requires that drain covers need to be replaced every 5 YEARS after the date of installation.
Why do pools have two drains?
When constructing a new swimming pool, if you are going to use a main drain it is required that you use two. This is due to safety regulations to help prevent Main Trap Entrapment. Main drain entrapment occurs when the suction is so great through a single main drain that a person can become stuck on or in the drain.
Is there a drain at the bottom of my pool?
During normal operation, water flows to the filtering system through two or more main drains at the bottom of the pool and multiple skimmer drains around the top of the pool. The main drains are usually located on the lowest point in the pool, so the entire pool surface slants toward them.
Should bottom drain in pool be open or closed?
For proper water circulation, it is best to position the flap so that it is about 2/3 closed. This will allow for more flow through the main drain than through the skimmer, which will promote a "bottom-to-top" circulation throughout the pool.
Do all inground pools have a drain?
Main drains are an essential component for water circulation within an inground swimming pool. Drains provide circulation in the deep end of the swimming pool, ensuring water clarity, proper distribution of water chemistry as well as maintaining a constant water temperature throughout the swimming pool.
What are the two drains at the bottom of my pool?
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. Main drains in swimming pools sit in their lowest points.
How many drains should a pool have?
two mainEven more importantly, it mandated that all public pools and newly built residential pools should have two main drains at least three feet apart.
Does a fiberglass pool need a main drain?
Avoid draining your fiberglass pool if at all possible. You do not need to drain your fiberglass pool for dirty water, a new home, or a foreclosed or abandoned home. If you do need to drain it, hire a professional. Make sure to check the groundwater, brace the pool, and have a sump pipe and gravel backfill.
What is a drain cover?
Most people think of a drain cover as a simple piece of plastic tightened by two screws. But this is not the case. Pool drain covers affect the overall functioning of the pool. So, pool equipment manufacturers are working tirelessly to come up with the best drain covers that comply with all state laws. Typically, the state requires drain covers ...
Why is my pool drain not compatible with my sump?
Drain covers that are not compatible with the sump depth easily get damaged. This is because the water flowing between the pipe and the cover causes hair to twist or tangle around the area.
What is the sump of a pool pump?
Aside from identifying the pool pump rate, they should also consider the depth of the sump. The sump is the area between the suction pipe opening and the drain cover. Sumps are often manufactured from concrete, plastic, or stainless steel.
How much water does a pool pump transport?
Hence, most pools function with pumps that incorporate high water flow rates. On average, variable speed pumps transport at least 140 gallons of water per minute in modern pools. If you have such a pool, ensure you buy a compatible drain cover.
What is the Sky Pool made of?
The pool will be manufactured out of cast acrylic with transparent sides and floors so that spectators below can watch swimmers gliding above them. The concept itself is similar in nature to another famous pool in London, the Sky Pool at the Embassy Gardens.
How many stories are there in Compass Pools?
Compass Pools, the designers of the project have released the 3D renderings for the 160,000 gallon pool and 55-story structure. The concept is a world first, according to the designers, who describe the construction as “the only building in the world to contain a 360-degree infinity pool.”
Do pool drain covers come with defects?
Pool drain covers: Taking extra precaution. As seen earlier, all drain covers should undergo a third-party inspection before approval. But despite the effort made by the state, most pool drain covers come with defects. Pool drain covers are pretty simple features; so, it can be hard to identify something wrong with them.
What is an anti-entrapment pool drain cover?
What is a Anti-Entrapment Pool Drain Cover? An Anti-Entrapment Pool Drain Cover is a drain cover that protects children & adults from suction of the water circulation system in a pool or spa that can causes someone to be trapped underwater. Due to the old style or broken Drain Covers. There are 5 types of Entrapment:
Why are VGB pool drain covers important?
This can happen fast and a huge amount of force can be created that the damage will be done quickly. If a Compliant Cover is installed and stays in place then Evisceration cannot occur. This is the reason installed VGB Pool Drain Covers are so important. Part of the problem that was amended was the flatter flush style Drain Covers that were used on all inground pools and Spas. President Bush mandated that all VGB Covers were to be installed on Public Pools. VGB Pool Suction Covers have:
Why is a pool curved?
The newer design is curved so the body can’t lay flat against them. A parent can confirm this with the pool personnel or even the Lifeguard. If they’re not aware of the law then they might not be aware of other things less dangerous. Children’s public wading pools, other pools designed specifically for young children, and in-ground spas that have flat drain grates and single main drain systems pose the greatest risk of entrapment.
How many ratings does a floor drain cover have?
Some Covers will 2 Ratings 1 for Wall and 1 for Floor Drains
Who is the woman who died from a pool?
It’s up to a parent or a swimmer using the pool or spa to visually check and make sure that covers are in place. The law was named after Virginia Graeme Baker , a seven-year-old girl who died from drowning due to a suction entrapment from a faulty drain cover.
Can a mechanic entrap a drain?
Mechanic Entrapment can happen even if all the pumps are off on the system. It can happen if a ring or finger gets caught in an older style Drain Cover or a broken Drain Cover. Limb Entrapment can happen if there is an opening where a child limb can fit into.
Can a VGB drain cover be used on a pool?
These situations can happen on a floor drain or wall outlet for a pool or spa but it cannot happen if the drains have what’s called a VGB Compliant Drain Cover or Suction Outlet Cover is properly installed and intact along with secondary essential devices put in place where they are needed. The Pool Operator must know of these dangers and take precautions that these systems are in place and stay in place for the protection of the people using the pool.
How far apart should a split pool drain be?
Split pool drains are suction ports that are tee’d under the surface. They must be at least 36″ apart (on center) and must be hydraulically balanced.
Why is my Polaris pool cleaner tail whip sucked into the drain?
A common issue I come across is the Polaris pool cleaner tail whip (pool sweep tail) getting sucked into the main drain because the drain cover is missing. We regularly go underwater and remove the tail and install a new drain cover to prevent it from occurring again.
Can anti-entrapment drain covers be used on pools?
There isn’t a single documented drowning when anti-entrapment drain covers are properly installed. Pool and spa drain cover safety is achieved when an experienced professional installs the appropriate pool drain cover.
What is an unsafe pool drain cover?
According to PoolSafety.gov, “Old, unsafe drain covers are flat and create a strong circulation that can easily trap hair or a body part if they become blocked. New, safer drains are designed to be curved so that they can never be fully blocked by a body part.” As a residential pool owner, you should replace any old, flat drain covers you have with these newer domed covers as soon as possible, and consider adding “protectors that block the drain pipe underneath the cover so children’s hands and feet won’t get stuck inside.” You should also regularly inspect your drain cover to ensure it is not broken or loose.
What is drain disablement?
Drain disablement. A device or system that disables the drain.
What is the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act?
Under the Act, all public pools “shall be equipped with anti-entrapment devices or systems,” and “each public pool and spa in the United States with a single main drain other than an unblockable drain shall be equipped , at a minimum, with 1 or more of the following devices or systems designed to prevent entrapment by pool or spa drains,” including:
Why do you need an alarm sensor around a pool?
Install an alarm sensor around the pool or spa, so that you are alerted if someone attempts to enter the area.
Is it dangerous to have a pool drain?
Swimming pool drains pose a serious risk to swimmers of all ages, but especially to children. The suction from a pool drain can easily lead to the entrapment of hair, limbs, or accessories, like jewelry or bathing suit decorations. This is why pool owners must take care to ensure their drain covers comply with safety standards and are undamaged and installed correctly.
Are residential pool owners required to follow the Act?
No, they are not. Residential pool owners must have pool drain covers, but they are not required to have any of the additional safety features in place. If your pool was installed after the Act passed in 2007, then your pool pump may be equipped with a safety vacuum release system (SVRS), but there is no guarantee that it is – and older pool pumps will not have this safety feature to guard against suction entrapment. Further, older pools are more likely to only have one pool drain, located at the deepest part of the pool.