Help. Main bottom drain will not drain

[cluelessgoldfish]

We have inherited an old concrete inground pool when we bought our house. We have taken out all the water and the actaul concrete looks much better than expected infact perfect, only the bottom drain is not draining, skimmers and cleaning hose duct is working but not the main bottom one. There was a lot of silt which we took out. we can pour water backwards through to the bottom drain, from the pump, so it’s not blocked, we just cant pump it up….. help!

 

[Newdude]

Hey CGF and Welcome !!!

You can drain further than you can regain prime. Many times when draining for the off season, I'd stop, then want to go another couple of inches and not be able to reprime the pump. That was only at 18 inches.

You've verified the plumbing is good, it'll work once full if the valves are positioned correctly.

 

[Jimrahbe]

C-Less,

Bottom "drains" don't actually drain anything.

More than likely the drain in the bottom of your pool is connected into the bottom of the skimmer.

Take the skimmer basket out and tell me how many holes do you see??

If two open holes, then the one closest to the water is connected to the main drain and the other hole is connected to the input of you pump.

Show us some pics...

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[wireform]

If your pool is empty I'd take the opportunity to pressure test that line now to be sure your good going forward.

 

[cluelessgoldfish]

If your pool is empty I'd take the opportunity to pressure test that line now to be sure your good going forward.

When I named myself clueless goldfish, it was for a good reason . How do I go about pressure testing the line ? Thank you