Bottom drains not connected to pump?

[Midnight]

I found out from looking at the build photos that my bottom drains in the pool are not connected to the filter pump directly, instead they are connected up to the skimmer via 1 pipe, then another pipe from the skimmer is connected to the pump. There is basically zero flow from the drains.
I can get flow to the drains if I connect flexible tubing such as for the pool vacuum to both holes in the skimmer, effectively creating one long pipe to the bottom drains (there are 2).

Is this normal or did they take a shortcut?

 

[1poolman1]

Very normal. There should be a "float valve" in the skimmer that is attached to the main drain to adjust flow. The two drains are connected to each other underground per code to help prevent entrapment issues and it may be difficult to feel any flow. With an auto pool cleaner, a main drain is seldom, if ever, really needed. There has been a movement for about 15 years to get the codes changed so main drains do not have to be installed. The majority of pools I see do not have active main drains for one reason or another with no issues.

 

[Rocket J Squirrel]

See the photo in this thread. It's an upside-down view of the "flying saucer" style skimmer diverter/float valve. The more the flap is closed, the more water comes from the drain. Perhaps your builder omitted this part. If so, you should be able to find one that works in your skimmer.

 

[Midnight]

Very normal. There should be a "float valve" in the skimmer that is attached to the main drain to adjust flow. The two drains are connected to each other underground per code to help prevent entrapment issues and it may be difficult to feel any flow. With an auto pool cleaner, a main drain is seldom, if ever, really needed. There has been a movement for about 15 years to get the codes changed so main drains do not have to be installed. The majority of pools I see do not have active main drains for one reason or another with no issues.

Ok thx. There is no float valve. Just the skimmer bucket. Wondering if I should buy one. It's a Pentair system so I assume this would fit. https://www.amazon.com/Pentair-506160-Assembly-Replacement-Bermuda/dp/B004YLI7Q0

I don't notice too much issue with lack of flow, but I thought it might help when doing pool sweeping to get more of the dirt.

 

[1poolman1]

Ok thx. There is no float valve. Just the skimmer bucket. Wondering if I should buy one. It's a Pentair system so I assume this would fit. https://www.amazon.com/Pentair-506160-Assembly-Replacement-Bermuda/dp/B004YLI7Q0

I don't notice too much issue with lack of flow, but I thought it might help when doing pool sweeping to get more of the dirt.

Show a picture of the skimmer lid. It may not be a Bermuda but a Pentair U3 (much more common) the choice of pool builders by a very large margin. There are many, many good aftermarket float valves available for the U3 at about half the price of the one you show.