February 2009 . My pool has two main drain openings, to prevent entrapment. A main drain circulates the pool's water by pulling water off the bottom of the pool and sending it to the filter. In a safe pool, there are always multiple main drains as well as several skimmer drains, so if somebody or something blocks one drain, the pumping system will pull water from one of the other drains. I’m getting ready for my first spring pool opening. Your swimming pool's main drain requires regular maintenance. The only way the plumbing system could apply this sort of suction is if there were only one open drain. A main drain circulates the pool's water by pulling water off the bottom of the pool and sending it to the filter. would you expect the main drain isol valve to be at least part open ? My pool has a 3HP Intelliflow VS pump. An inground swimming pool's main drain is located in the deep end of the pool. If the pool receives a lot of leaves and other debris, more suction may be required at the skimmer than the main drain to adequately strain debris floating on the surface. From entrapment to circulation, there are so many wrong ideas on swimming pool main drain. I have dedicated piping for the main drain and each skimmer. The chemicals will mix better, and probably since cold water sinks, it will also serve to better regulate your pool temps. Your pool may have a spa, which is known as a "pool-spa combo" so there will be another valve for the main spa drain. Be sure no one is in the pool when you attempt to remove the drain, as the suction can cause drowning. Also, I am assuming that your deepend is at least 6' deep. My pool builder said I should keep the main drain valve 100% open and the two skimmer valves about 50% open. A friend told me to keep the main drain open all … In the photo below, there are four valves. I admit there is 10,000 gallons of water sitting on it, but I should still be able to open it. It is heated to 82 and it does seem when the heater operates more I lose water faster. They are, from left to right, SPA MAIN DRAIN, CLEANER, SKIMMER, and POOL MAIN DRAIN. Is it possible my main drain is intentionally sealed? In a safe pool, there are always multiple main drains as well as several skimmer drains, so if somebody or something blocks one drain, the pumping system will pull water from one of the other drains. Therefore, I closed them again. The only way the plumbing system could apply this sort of suction is if there were only one open drain. The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (“VGB Act”) and the ANSI/APSP-7 Standard for Suction Entrapment Avoidance in Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs, and Catch So my only dilemma is should I use the cleaner pump to help with the water circulation, as … The pool has a main drain, a skimmer and 3 returns (actually 4, but one is plugged, I assume there was a problem with it). The previous owner of the pool only had a skimmer intake open. An inground swimming pool's main drain is located in the deep end of the pool. Maria Slaby is the expert to listen to here. CASE STUDY: The Option of Pools without 'Main Drains' Background . hello mas985, we only have 1 main drain and there is no suction at all i.e. The water in the pool will mix better if you have it coming from the deep end as well as the pool surface. To operate a suction pool cleaner or manually vacuum the pool, you can close other skimmers, or close the main drain, to obtain more suction through the skimmer you are using. If you have a clog in your inground pool main drain, you will need to clear it. or are you saying that it wouldnt make any difference to water / dirt collecting on bottom of the pool whether the valve was open or closed? Since 2007, federal and state laws require new pools to have either multiple main drains, unblockable drains or no main drains at all. I have a 40K inground pool that is losing maybe an inch or two of water every three or four days. I have a 22 x 52″ above ground pool with a main drain. ? Learn from an expert on pool safety how you can make your pool entrapment-free and 100% safe from the hazard of main drains. How to set valves for an in ground swimming pool automatic cleaning the pool skimmer and pump basket swimmingpool how to close your inground pool in 5 easy s closing pool care how to close and winterize your pool drain systems howstuffworks Pool Valve Settings Vacuuming By PoolplazaSwimming Pool Valves And Plumbing Information PageSwimming Pool…