Pumping to Waste below the skimmers

[Scubaduba]

Using an older Standard Hayward DE filter (60 sq ft). It only has the Down/up, push pull waste drain valve.

Q1. If I Drain to Waste for an extended period (say an hour or two) in order to drain down my pool a significant amount, will this possibly cause any damage to the filter element Grids?

Q2. If I drain below the skimmers using the "Drain to waste" method, is it safe to just shut off the return line to the skimmers at the pump, and direct it 100% to the main drains? I also have a spa, I guess I would need to isolate these floor returns also?

 

[ajw22]

Q1. If I Drain to Waste for an extended period (say an hour or two) in order to drain down my pool a significant amount, will this possibly cause any damage to the filter element Grids?

Q2. If I drain below the skimmers using the "Drain to waste" method, is it safe to just shut off the return line to the skimmers at the pump, and direct it 100% to the main drains? I also have a spa, I guess I would need to isolate these floor returns also?

You should use a submersible pump to drain your pool below the skimmers.

Many main drains alone cannot provide the water flow a pump needs. And some main drains hardly work at all.

Don’t put your expensive pool pump at risk for damage by running dry.

Submersible Pumps - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Why do you need to drain?

Draining - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com