Hello! I just moved to a home with quite old pool (20-25yo). Just finished replastering and the pool is back and running. However, besides several small leaks around filter, i relized that the skimmer has one line closed. in my opinion also the main drain is not working at all. I have a in-floor cleaning system, so i think it's quite important to have working MD of a pool. Do you have any idea why one line is closed? Is there any other way to open the main drain? I would appreciate any input. Thanks!
skimmer - closed one line
- Thread starter pandan74
- Start date
- Jun 22, 2014
- 48,839
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Main drains are not a necessity, so it's possible that at some point in the past the previous owners experienced a leak and elected to plug that line. So unless it's just blocked from debris, that would be my guess. If you have a pressure bladder like a Drain King or something, you could try to "gently" apply some water pressure from the skimmer hole doe to the drain to see if there is any water movement.
Thank you fop your reply. I don't think it's debries. As you can see on those pics, it looks like the other line is closed up with a plastic plug. This pool has an in-floor cleaning system. so how all debries from the bottom of the pool are going to be removed if the main drain is not functional? The pop-up heads are just for the water movement? I've been a pool owner fo only a year ant this particular pool for less than 3 months so I'm still learning, but it doesn't make sense to me to have an in-floor system without any MD. Or am I missing something?
- Jun 22, 2014
- 48,839
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
The in-floors just help to push stuff around, but you're right, with no drain they don't help much of anything. I've never been a big fan of those anyways. But those of us without drains simple vacuum manually as needed, or invest in a robot. Robots, while a bit pricey, have become the latest rage in pool cleaning.
- Feb 6, 2015
- 6,412
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Many pools with infloor cleaning have the main drain plumbed back to the equipment pand. The main drain plumbing doesn't go thru the skimmer - hence the one port is plugged. Show us a pic of your equipment pad and one of all suction lines coming up out of the ground and into the pump.
My pool is 22 years old and has this setup.
My pool is 22 years old and has this setup.
My first pool was with the in-floor system and I loved it. This is the second one (I moved 3 months ago) and trying ot figure everything out. I just finished re-plastering so never actually used the pool. I don't like all the hoses in the pool, but it's my personal opinion.
Don't assume it's for the drain. My main drained is plumbed back to the pad and the second hole in my skimmer, similar to yours is plugged. If I remove the plug the water will drain out to dirt under the skimmer since nothing is attached to it.
Everything possible. I'm trying to figure this out. I took a pic of the debris canister and the equipment. there are two lines point to the canister. I THINK , one is going from the skimmer and the second one is coming from the spa drain (not sure). I labeled what I know so far, although it can be wrong. I tried to ID all valves by closing/opening valves.
Attachments
- Feb 6, 2015
- 6,412
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Is your spa water level sitting higher than the pool water level - and spa spills over into pool?
From pool and from spa are your suction lines. All lines to the left of those are return lines.
Starting on the left
Spa return
Pool return - the lower part of the tee that goes into the ground - skinny line to puck feeder
No idea (water feature or??)
Spa make up line - with check valve after the Jandy valve so water doesn't backflow from spa to pool
The vertical pipe with the slit in the cap is the air intake for the spa bubbles. It probably only sucks air in when the spa return is fully open.
From pool and from spa are your suction lines. All lines to the left of those are return lines.
Starting on the left
Spa return
Pool return - the lower part of the tee that goes into the ground - skinny line to puck feeder
No idea (water feature or??)
Spa make up line - with check valve after the Jandy valve so water doesn't backflow from spa to pool
The vertical pipe with the slit in the cap is the air intake for the spa bubbles. It probably only sucks air in when the spa return is fully open.
Last edited:
Yes, the spa is higher and when I open the Spa make up line (or I called spa inlet) spills over into the pool. I can't find any "water feature" so have no idea what's this valve for. THANK YOU! Still don't know why the MD in the pool is not working and where is connected
- Feb 6, 2015
- 6,412
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
The main drain may have been abandoned due to a leak, or it may be plumbed directly to the debris canister. Can you find a name, logo or other marking on the debris canister? That may help us determine how the main drain is actually plumbed.
The return line with the ? in your picture - maybe a previously abondoned water feature or maybe it goes to deep water or other return in the pool.
Please fill out your signature with your pool and pool equipment specs - this helps us help you without having to ask about your pool/equipment each time. Include model numbers and what testkityou are using. See my signature ane others for ideas on what to include.
The return line with the ? in your picture - maybe a previously abondoned water feature or maybe it goes to deep water or other return in the pool.
Please fill out your signature with your pool and pool equipment specs - this helps us help you without having to ask about your pool/equipment each time. Include model numbers and what testkityou are using. See my signature ane others for ideas on what to include.
- Feb 6, 2015
- 6,412
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
You have an infloor cleaning system. Do you also have returns in the pool wall. If so, that extra valve may control those extra wall returns or control the infloor water valve.
Post a picture of the water valve, it should be a circular device about 10" across and possibly domed.
Post a picture of the water valve, it should be a circular device about 10" across and possibly domed.
I apologize for delayed response. Hard time at work. Here is a pic of what i think you refer to. I tried to close all other valves on the return line and open only that one. No water movement from this at all but the infloor system is still working, so now i think that this valve can be just for the infloor system. I'm not sure how to test it since I can not close all valves on the return line. The pressure in the filter goes really high. I have also added a pic of the main drain.
Attachments
I still don't know many things about my pool. I moved in 3 months ago and have been using it for only 10 days. I have no idea what pump i have, besides it's a single speed and a sand filer. I can only estimate that this is a 23-25k gallon pool. I use TF-100 test. CYA -30, TH - 320, TA - 120, Ph 7.4-7.6, FC - 2-4 (I use liquid chlorine)