When to remove water (from rain fall)

[Pas_pool]

When should I use my main drain to remove water? We got rain last night here in Connecticut and we are expecting 1.5+ inches more over the next couple of days. As you can see from the picture my water level is at the top of the skimmer now.

Also, what level on the skimmer should the water be? 3/4 the way up? 1/2? Something else?

And as I have never done it before is removing water as easy as turning one of the levers of the main drain?

Thanks again!

 

[PoolGate]

Water level is typically 1/2 way up the skimmer. If you are expecting more rain I would wait. I'll probably remove my excess water this week sometime. I have probably 3 inches to remove.

 

[PoolGate]

FYI I use a sump pump to remove my water when it's this high. If it was lower I might use the hose bib on my plumbing. That takes forever though.

 

[Pas_pool]

FYI I use a sump pump to remove my water when it's this high. If it was lower I might use the hose bib on my plumbing. That takes forever though.

Do you have a main drain? I have two

 

[PoolGate]

Do you have a main drain? I have two

I do have a main drain. You most likely only have 1 and it is an anti-entrapment drain which is 2 drains going to a single pipe.

 

[Newdude]

Do you have a main drain? I have two

You have one pipe with a T on the end of it spaced just far enough apart so that you cant seal off both of them at the same time to get stuck.

And that just goes back to the equipment pad and doesnt drain anything. The 3 way valve to waste at the filter is the 'drain'.

You may shave off a couple inches anytime with the 3 way valve. Babysit it because it goes quick when using the pool pump. If you leave the area, say, to go check the mailbox which only takes a minute, set a timer on your phone to return in 5 mins or less. It's sounds silly, but trust me here.

Now here is how you hack Murphys to your favor. If the grass needs a flooding, leave the pool high and WOOSH it will pour. If you need it to be dry, for a party or such, drain just a bit too much and 'wait for the rain to refill you' (wink wink). Then add some with the hose after.

 

[Pas_pool]

You have one pipe with a T on the end of it spaced just far enough apart so that you cant seal off both of them at the same time to get stuck.

And that just goes back to the equipment pad and doesnt drain anything. The 3 way valve to waste at the filter is the 'drain'.

You may shave off a couple inches anytime with the 3 way valve. Babysit it because it goes quick when using the pool pump. If you leave the area, say, to go check the mailbox which only takes a minute, set a timer on your phone to return in 5 mins or less. It's sounds silly, but trust me here.

Now here is how you hack Murphys to your favor. If the grass needs a flooding, leave the pool high and WOOSH it will pour. If you need it to be dry, for a party or such, drain just a bit too much and 'wait for the rain to refill you' (wink wink). Then add some with the hose after.

Okay thanks. I have my waste piped under ground to the woods. I’ll have to look at my setup and see how to turn it correctly to waste the water out. I have never done it before.

Do I turn off both skimmer valves before wasting water out?

Is there a step by step directions on here somewhere on how to do it?

Attached is my setup (disregard the red light on the SWG. It’s an old photo)

 

[PoolGate]

Okay thanks. I have my waste piped under ground to the woods. I’ll have to look at my setup and see how to turn it correctly to waste the water out. I have never done it before.

Do I turn off both skimmer valves before wasting water out?

Is there a step by step directions on here somewhere on how to do it?

Attached is my setup (disregard the red light on the SWG. It’s an old photo)

All you need to do is move to waste and stop it when the water level is where you want it.

 

[Newdude]

I’ll have to look at my setup and see how to turn it correctly to waste the water out. I have never done it before.

Think of the handle as the base of a T, and the top seals off that way.

Going to filter as is



Going to waste

Do I turn off both skimmer valves before wasting water out?

If you'e babysitting it then there is no need.

But if theres any chance you're going to somehow forget, which may even be done getting sidetracked on your phone while waitinon out back, then yes.

 

[Pas_pool]

Think of the handle as the base of a T, and the top seals off that way.

Going to filter as is

View attachment 643131

Going to waste

View attachment 643132



If you'e babysitting it then there is no need.

But if theres any chance you're going to somehow forget, which may even be done getting sidetracked on your phone while waitinon out back, then yes.

Okay thank you for the explanation. I’m just noticed you did that diagram on a picture I sent of my pad in the other thread. Thanks. That will be useful when I do this when the rain lets up.

 

[Newdude]

Adjusting the skimmer / drain valves are not needed if you're not draining below normal operating height. You're only draining excess water and the skimmers will pull fine for that. (But again, pay attention)

If you want to play with it anyway or another time, its currently 50/50




All drain is this way with the end of the handle pointed down in the pic. You'll notice the 'top' of the valve handle says 'close' or such.




Using all skimmer is the other way with 'close' pointing to the drain leg / the end of the handle pointing up in the pic. Usually for regular operation we want about 90% coming from the skimmers. Roughly 10 or 11 o'clock in the pic

 

[Pas_pool]

Adjusting the skimmer / drain valves are not needed if you're not draining below normal operating height. You're only draining excess water and the skimmers will pull fine for that. (But again, pay attention)

If you want to play with it anyway or another time, its currently 50/50

View attachment 643188


All drain is this way with the end of the handle pointed down in the pic. You'll notice the 'top' of the valve handle says 'close' or such.

View attachment 643189


Using all skimmer is the other way with 'close' pointing to the drain leg / the end of the handle pointing up in the pic. Usually for regular operation we want about 90% coming from the skimmers. Roughly 10 or 11 o'clock in the pic

So are my skimmers sent up the correct way currently? The PB placed them there.

 

[Newdude]

So are my skimmers sent up the correct way currently?

The skimmers are good at 50/50. But those 2 legs only get 1/2 the flow as is. Set the drain valve like so.

 

[Pas_pool]

The skimmers are good at 50/50. But those 2 legs only get 1/2 the flow as is. Set the drain valve like so.

View attachment 643195

Will do. Can you explain why if I turn the main drain where you have it in the picture it is better? Wouldn’t that shut off the main drain a little?

And what would it mean it the lever was turned in line with the tubing to the right or left?

Thanks again for helping me understand this.

 

[Newdude]

Can you explain why if I turn the main drain where you have it in the picture it is better?

The drains dont circulate the water any better than the skimmers do and aren't needed. Skimming on the other hand makes a huge difference in day to day operations so put most of the suction from the skimmers so they do their job better.

And what would it mean it the lever was turned in line with the tubing to the right or left?

Go look at the valve when you're free and see the label that says closed. Turn that label towards whatever you want to close. Or 50/50 halfway or infinite possibilities between them like mostly closed 10/90.

 

[Pas_pool]

The drains dont circulate the water any better than the skimmers do and aren't needed. Skimming on the other hand makes a huge difference in day to day operations so put most of the suction from the skimmers so they do their job better.



Go look at the valve when you're free and see the label that says closed. Turn that label towards whatever you want to close. Or 50/50 halfway or infinite possibilities between them like mostly closed 10/90.

That all makes sense. I’ll switch that main drain lever to where you showed it on the picture when I get home.

When I am using the lever by the filter to empty some water from the pool, are the skimmers and main drain levels good where they are (after I move the main drain one where you recommended). I know for day to day use you say that’s best. Just wasn’t sure if I have to adjust them at all before I release water from the pool?

Thanks

 

[Newdude]

I know for day to day use you say that’s best. Just wasn’t sure if I have to adjust them at all before I release water from the pool?

It's fine for draining excess water. If you get below normal water height, say, for closing, then switch to all drain and no skimmer.

 

[Bperry]

That all makes sense. I’ll switch that main drain lever to where you showed it on the picture when I get home.

When I am using the lever by the filter to empty some water from the pool, are the skimmers and main drain levels good where they are (after I move the main drain one where you recommended). I know for day to day use you say that’s best. Just wasn’t sure if I have to adjust them at all before I release water from the pool?

Thanks

Make sure the pump is off before moving the levers on the filter.

 

[Pas_pool]

It's fine for draining excess water. If you get below normal water height, say, for closing, then switch to all drain and no skimmer.

Ahh you did say that before. Thanks again

 

[Pas_pool]

Make sure the pump is off before moving the levers on the filter.

I did not know this. Thanks for mentioning. Is there anytime you don’t turn off the pump before you adjust anything? Or is it good practice to turn off the pump whenever adjusting anything?