I’m trying to drain my pool 6 inches below jets , it’s below the skimmer now ( I have sand filter with waste line) , skimmer is now off and water should be draining via bottom drain - it appeared to be working very slowly ( I could hear water coming out of waste pipe but it seemed to not be lowering the water after an hour). Then I checked on the pump and there was no more water pouring in so I shut it off. What am I missing why is going so slow and then stopping to work?
Draining water
- Thread starter PammyB
- Start date
Could your main drain be plugged with debris? Is your pump basket clear of debris?
Show a picture of the suction side of the pump that shows position of valves, etc leading to the pump from the pool.
Show a picture of the suction side of the pump that shows position of valves, etc leading to the pump from the pool.
All pumps lose prime eventually with low water. It's no biggie if you babysit it while draining to ensure it's still flowing. There's usually 20 other things to do out there like storing patio furniture that you can check on the pump in between trips.
But if you aren't watching it closely, it's not worth risking a (up to $2k) pump.
This submersible pump is $83 and will move lots of water compared to the .3 or .5 Hp pumps. It accepts a garden hose, 1 inch, or 1.5 inch hose for more discharge.
But if you aren't watching it closely, it's not worth risking a (up to $2k) pump.
This submersible pump is $83 and will move lots of water compared to the .3 or .5 Hp pumps. It accepts a garden hose, 1 inch, or 1.5 inch hose for more discharge.
So no water gets in the pipes and freezes ?
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So my husband spoke to someone who said air might be getting in via skimmer? So he put hose in skimmer then plugged it with a tennis ball and now it’s draining super fast!
Sounds like the diverter valve that selects the skimmers or drains is not sealing. The air getting in would totally kill prime while draining.
The same valve likely won't airlock the main drain, even if you remove the pump to plug the suction line, if it's leaking that much. The drain pipe takes a flash to refill if the pad side is open.
Post up pics of the pad (including wide angles so we can see it all) and the pool.
You
Generally, they use some kind of blower to blow out the pipes while they’re under water and then plug them in order to airlock them. There’s no need to drain that much water especially with a vinyl pool I’d imagine. I guess if the return jets are very close to the top of the water, maybe it’s not that different.
Generally, they use some kind of blower to blow out the pipes while they’re under water and then plug them in order to airlock them. There’s no need to drain that much water especially with a vinyl pool I’d imagine. I guess if the return jets are very close to the top of the water, maybe it’s not that different.
I
I’m confused - my problem is solved now and it’s draining ? What do I need to fix?
Just an FYI, you can plug the lines while air gushes out if you don't drain below the returns. It's high volume but low pressure.
Those of us that do drain that far are doing so because the mesh cover we use will allow the pool to fill back up so we want a good head start.
Your prime problem is solved. But the likely reason it wasn't working may be a problem for winterizing the main drain pipe.
We need a work around and pics will help.
Don’t you want water to have no way to enter the returns ? Wouldn’t having water close to them invite that?
You seal them with threaded return plugs or expanding rubber winterizing plugs.
You can do both while blowing the lines underwater if you didn't drain that far.
The plugs are installed while the air is being blown out so that water can’t get back in. They have special plugs for that or just a rubber stopper plug. Sometimes the last line can be tricky since all the pressure is in that one spot so you turn the air off once the plug is on.
Ok - that makes sense - well water is below returns anyhow - blown out and plugged - skimmer pipe has antifreeze in it …You seal them with threaded return plugs or expanding rubber winterizing plugs.
You can do both while blowing the lines underwater if you didn't drain that far.
Heater is drained and off
Now I’m just confused about main drain pipe and sand filter - is it possible main drain pipe is deep enough it doesn’t freeze ? I don’t think we’ve done anything to it in past year
. Sand filter also not sure what to do besides turn valve to winterize ? How do you drain it?
Some of it is deep enough, like the horizontal part under the pool and anything between A and B that is still below the frost line.
Buy it eventually comes up at the pad, possibly not being deep enough near the pad, so at least the down pipe into the ground at the pad, and however much past that above the frost line needs to be blown and sealed. With a leaking valve, you can't seal it because it will fill in the time it iakes you to remove the blower and plug the drain line.
With pics of your pool and equipment pad, we may be able to come up with a work around.
