Main Drain closed intentionally or clogged

[Mike_I]

Hello,

My main drain is not pulling any water so it's either closed or clogged. I tried sticking drain king bladder through the pump intake while blocking both skimmers but that didn't open the drain up. Then I read that sometimes a skimmer would be connected to the drain but I have the second hole covered in both skimmers with a different kind of plug (I think it's a plug)
Is it safe to open those plugs temporary to check if those are blocking the drain and if yes, how would I do it? Does it take a special tool? Are they glued?

Thanks!

 

[Jimrahbe]

Mike,

For most older pools, there are two holes in the bottom of the skimmer.

The hole that is away from the water is normally the one that is plumbed back to the equipment pad.

The hole that is next to the water is normally connected to the main drain.

Newer pools plug the main drain hole in the skimmer and run the main drain back to the equipment pad.

If you only have one pipe into your main pool pump, that is a good indication that the main drain is connected into your skimmer. If the main drain hole in the skimmer is plugged, then it would have been done for a reason. Could be left over winter plugs or most likely the main drain has been abandoned.

Pools don't need a main drain at all so trying to "fix" it is not really worth a lot of effort. I have two rent house pools that have not had operating main drains for over 10 years, and they work just fine without one.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Mike_I]

Thanks Jim, this pool is from 60s/70s and the hole closest to the pool was plumbed to the pad. I'm not happy with the overall circulation in the pool so I'm trying to improve it with enabling the drain. The pool is 40x20ft and has 2 skimmers, 2 returns, drain, smallish filter / pump / piping so not ideal.

 

[Pool_Medic]

I’d say it’s plugged because unless you’re using an equalizer plate the main drain won’t pull anything.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Mike,

If you have two skimmers and only one pipe into the main pump, then your skimmers are connected together somehow.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Mike_I]

Yes, only one pipe into main pump, the connection is underground somewhere. I tried opening the plug in the pic below with big pliers but it won't budge. Is there something I can get in the big box store that would help me unscrew it? it's a square nub, 1"x1"?

 

[Lake Placid]

Basin wrench?

 

[Jimrahbe]

Mike,

Having a main drain will not really help your circulation.

Go to the plumbing at Home Depot and they will know just what you need.

Called a Basin Wrench and they also have "square" sockets.

That said, you'd be better off peeing in front of a fan...

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[JamesW]

That black plug might be glued in and if you use too much force, you might break your skimmer.

What does this line go to?

 

[Mike_I]

Jim, would the drain help with cleaning the bottom of the pool? I was hoping to be able to brush stuff towards the deep end and to have it sucked in by the drain and run through the filter. I have 10 huge pine trees around the pool with a lot of fallout.
James, that pipe runs to the capped port in the pool for one of the old pool cleaners. Yes, I am concerned about the glue too.

 

[Jimrahbe]

What does this line go to?

I completely missed that one!!

Jim R.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Mike,

The main drain won't suck up anything that is more than an inch away from it. But if you get it working it can't hurt to try sweeping debris into it and see what happens.

Curious about the suction at your two skimmers now? Do you feel a good strong suction at the open pipes in both skimmers now?

Do both of your skimmers have operating weir doors?

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[JamesW]

I suspect that the main drain was abandoned for a reason, which usually means that it was leaking.

It is likely to be plugged in the main drain part.

I would forget about the main drain and get a cleaner like a robot or pressure side cleaner.

Brush the pool periodically.

 

[JamesW]

The pool is like a gazillion years old and there's no way to know exactly what has been done to it.

The skimmers might have been replaced.

The main drain is likely to be leaking.

What does the main drain grate look like?

 

[Mike_I]

Jim, the suction is fine at both skimmers, a bit better at the one closer to the pump, no weir door on either, skimmers probably from before weir doors became the thing. I found SQ 8650 marking on them (Swim Quip brand?)

 

[Mike_I]

James, you are right about gazillion years, the grate looks like this

 

[Mike_I]

I might try and stick a camera on a cable through that grate and check it out. The water just needs to warm up a bit before I go in

 

[Jimrahbe]

Mike,

Weir doors would help pick up that junk before it sinks. They make universal spring-loaded weir doors.

The weir door is what makes a skimmer..... Skim!

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[JamesW]

 

[Mike_I]

Thank you, just placed an order for 2 weir doors, didn't know they were compatible with my skimmers