Accidentally placed vacuum hose on main drain port

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T

tasg

Member
Nov 22, 2023
5
Sydney, Australia
Pool Size
6000
Surface
Fiberglass
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
Just bought a property with a pool that was probably built in the 80’s. I didn’t realise that i placed the end of the vacuum hose to the main drain port (which i had to unplug) as it was the only one exposed when you open skimmer lid. Later did i notice after removing the skimmer basket i saw another port that was not plugged. That’s when i realized that the hose should actually be attached there instead. I’m panicking a bit since i don’t know what damaged i’ve caused. Do you guys have an idea what can potentially happen? ThanksIMG_5958.jpeg
 
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Welcome to TFP! :wave: Not sure if you really did any damage. Does the pump still operate? Is the pump strainer pot still full of water? If so, you are probably okay. When you connect the vacuum hose into the skimmer, you are essentially circumventing that line or port. So if you had the vacuum hose in the drain port, no water is being pulled from the main drain, that's all. As long as the pump was getting water from that vacuum hose and/or skimmer port, everything should be okay. If you still have concerns, I would suggest posting some additional pics of your equipment pad so we can see the plumbing lines going into the pump and any valves you have there. Hope that helps.
 
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Texas Splash said:
Welcome to TFP! :wave: Not sure if you really did any damage. Does the pump still operate? Is the pump strainer pot still full of water? If so, you are probably okay. When you connect the vacuum hose into the skimmer, you are essentially circumventing that line or port. So if you had the vacuum hose in the drain port, no water is being pulled from the main drain, that's all. As long as the pump was getting water from that vacuum hose and/or skimmer port, everything should be okay. If you still have concerns, I would suggest posting some additional pics of your equipment pad so we can see the plumbing lines going into the pump and any valves you have there. Hope that helps.
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I feel a bit better now. Thank you. I’m just a bit perplexed how it still vacuumed some of the debris although it wasn’t 100%. Also since opening it, i noticed the water level has reduced by about an inch. Do you know where the water would go? I thought it should return to pool if main drain goes to the pump.
 
tasg said:
Also since opening it, i noticed the water level has reduced by about an inch. Do you know where the water would go? I thought it should return to pool if main drain goes to the pump.
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This is where more info might help. Showing us more pics of your pool and equipment pad. Also be sure to update your signature. See ours as examples.

Create Your Signature - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com
 
tasg said:
I’m just a bit perplexed how it still vacuumed some of the debris although it wasn’t 100%.
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Your drain and skimmer lines are either connected to the same line (from the skimmer back to the equipment pad) or each item (skimmer and drain) has its own separate plumbing line. Either way, the pump should pull some water through each line. That's why you were able to achieve some degree of vacuum. Perhaps not ideal depending on your skimmer-drain set up. That's where pics and ore info will help.
 
tasg said:
Also since opening it, i noticed the water level has reduced by about an inch. Do you know where the water would go?
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The drain line was either plugged for a leak, or it's an overflow line and you are losing water by way of gravity. In looking at your pic again, I have questions. Where did you connect to the drain ? Is there a port for 3 or is it just a weird reflection?

Screenshot_20231122_082712_Chrome.jpg
 
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Newdude said:
The drain line was either plugged for a leak, or it's an overflow line and you are losing water by way of gravity. In looking at your pic again, I have questions. Where did you connect to the drain ? Is there a port for 3 or is it just a weird reflection?

View attachment 541653
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I connected the hose at 1.. 3 is just a weird reflection 😁
 
Can you also show us a pic of the plumbing (and valve) that is before the pump? This way we can see what water lines go into it and how flow may be controlled.

Also, if your MPV is in the filter position right now, take a peek at your waste line where water exits to the yard. Make sure water isn't seeping out by mistake.
 
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I don't see drains. (But I see leaves on the floor so the clarity is fine)

I bet the drain line was plugged for a reason.
 
I think @Newdude had this right. That higher port is an overflow port. It's not attached to the main drain. While there are skimmers like that (mine was), the port to the main drain would have been below the skimmer basket, hidden from view, not above it. The port below the skimmer basket runs to the pump. The one above the skimmer basket does not. You got some vacuum action, and lost water, because when you opened that upper port, you were draining your pool.

So that's all the "damage" you did. You drained your pool a bit.

Restore the plug to the upper port. Use it next time there is a big storm and you have a concern about the pool overflowing. Next time you want to vacuum, connect the vac hose to the port below the skimmer basket.

You can confirm all this easily enough. Remove the plug to the upper port. You should feel a very slight tug of water running out through it. Then turn on your pump. You should feel no difference in the amount of tug running out of that upper port. But be careful, just the same, while you perform this test. You don't want to stick your fingers into an active suction port.
 
Dirk said:
think @Newdude had this right. That higher port is an overflow port.
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Upon another another look, It's below the skimmer mouth so it can't be overflow. That's what I get for leaving pics as blurry attachments. Sorry. I fixed em now. Lol.

Unless. Are there overflows for manual use only? Capped until you want to drain ? It seems counterproductive to have to watch it or drain below the skimmer.
 
Newdude said:
Upon another another look, It's below the skimmer mouth so it can't be overflow. That's what I get for leaving pics as blurry attachments. Sorry. I fixed em now. Lol.

Unless. Are there overflows for manual use only? Capped until you want to drain ? It seems counterproductive to have to watch it or drain below the skimmer.
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????? I guess we need a pic with the skimmer basket in place. It could still be for draining, if not strictly an overflow port. Maybe something attaches to it, to extend it upward, to set the overflow level?

It can't be attached to the drain if it sucks a bit of water when open, right? The OP can still perform the test I gave him, to determine if it's actually attached to the pump or not (CAREFULLY!).

It's not a Venturi skimmer, is it?
 
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50-150-1015(1-reverse)_LG__93744.jpg

It's not some version of this? I think a Venturi skimmer would have at least one more port (three or four, total, not two).
 
With the basket in, you’d only see one hole. That’s why i thought it was for vacuuming. I actually find it weird if it’s on the side and on top of the basket not under. Coz what i have seen so far it’s always under the basket if it’s for main drain.

I believe the skimmer is Waterco as written on the lid.
 

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