New to pool ownership

[PeteyPools]

Hello!

My wife and I recently purchased a home with a pool. We both have no prior experience with pools but we have been going through pool school and aiming to maintain the pool ourselves.

We had a pool company open the pool a few days ago and everything seems to be running smoothly so far. The pool has pretty much cleared and we can see the bottom throughout.

As I was cleaning the skimmer I noticed a rubberized plug in one of the holes that maybe the pool company forgot to remove? I believe that is going to our main drain in the deep end as there is no other visible pipe at ground level or at the pad. There is only one skimmer and one return line. So only one pipe going into my pump. The pool was built in 1979 (vinyl liner and steal walls) which from what I have been reading it was common to have the main drain coming into the skimmer.

Is there a risk to damaging something if I remove the plug?

I have attached a picture of the skimmer.

Thanks!

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

Turn off your pump, remove the plug, and see if there is a pipe in the hole.

You don't know if there is a leak in the plugged pipe which may be why the plug as not removed.

 

[PeteyPools]

Welcome to TFP.

Turn off your pump, remove the plug, and see if there is a pipe in the hole.

You don't know if there is a leak in the plugged pipe which may be why the plug as not removed.

Thanks for the welcome.

If it was plugged due to a leak I assume the main drain in the pool would also be plugged?

 

[ajw22]

If it was plugged due to a leak I assume the main drain in the pool would also be plugged?

Not necessarily. It is easy to plug the skimmer side. It is not easy to dive down and plug the drain side.

 

[PeteyPools]

Not necessarily. It is easy to plug the skimmer side. It is not easy to dive down and plug the drain side.

Got it. Thanks for the reply

 

[Jimrahbe]

Pety,

Removing the plug will not make your main drain work..!!!

You really don't even need a main drain.. Half of the old pools in the country probably don't have an operating main drain.

As new as you are to pools, I would suggest, that for now, you just leave the plug in and move on with getting your pool ready for summer..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[PeteyPools]

Pety,

Removing the plug will not make your main drain work..!!!

You really don't even need a main drain.. Half of the old pools in the country probably don't have an operating main drain.

As new as you are to pools, I would suggest, that for now, you just leave the plug in and move on with getting your pool ready for summer..

Thanks,

Jim R.

As everything seems to be working fine I will take your advice and just leave it plugged.

Thanks Jim!