I been leaving the two bottom drains open for the past 2 years 91/2 ft deep. Is there any benefits having them open or should I close them ? I’m sure the 3 skimmers would have more suction if I close bottom drain.
Bottom drain- do you use them ?
- Thread starter Marty D
- Start date
Propbndr
LifeTime Supporter
I leave mine open at all times. It prevents stagnation in the deep end and allows for even circulation of chlorine and other chemicals at the bottom of the pool.
- Nov 12, 2017
- 12,627
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
I'm in the other camp. I had mine removed in a recent remodel. They are intended to help circulation. And they can. They are also a possible hazard (entrapment danger). If you have two, and they have proper anti-entrapment covers, then that's relatively safe. If you have any concerns about it, turn them off and manipulate the eyeballs on your returns (if you have them) to point down to mix things up. Cleaner systems (vacuums and robots) can also be used to stir up the bottom (that's how I do it).
I removed mine for the safety issue, but also because I didn't like looking at them, or brushing around them. They would hang up my vacuum, and I was always stepping on them. My new pebble looks fantastic without them, and all the other issues are history. Mine were never used, so I had no real reason to keep them.
Turn yours off for a while. Keep an eye on things. Your pool will tell you if it misses its drains or not...
I removed mine for the safety issue, but also because I didn't like looking at them, or brushing around them. They would hang up my vacuum, and I was always stepping on them. My new pebble looks fantastic without them, and all the other issues are history. Mine were never used, so I had no real reason to keep them.
Turn yours off for a while. Keep an eye on things. Your pool will tell you if it misses its drains or not...
I only divert the bottom drains when the robot is doing it's thing. I realized that without the suction, the cleaner doesn't get hung up on the drain like it used to.
- Jun 7, 2017
- 9,952
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Jandy Aquapure 1400
I close the valve to mine around 50% to allow the skimmers to work better. I don't want the floor drains to become stagnant. I also have 3 returns on the bottom of my pool for better circulation. They have no tops/diffusers just a threaded pipe flush with the bottom.
- Nov 12, 2017
- 12,627
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
See, now if I was to build a pool that's how I'd do it: a set of returns down low to mix up the lower levels. Eliminates the potential danger of drains, and are much easier on the eye. I can't imagine any drain providing better circulation than even one return, let alone two or three. With robots and vac's the norm, along with auto fillers, I'm wondering why any pool is built with drains any longer...
Mendy48
Bronze Supporter
Water will not become stagnant in a deep end if the main drain is closed. If the return eyeballs are correctly aimed they will move chlorinated water throughout the whole water column. Main drains are a safety valve for your pump should your water ever get below the skimmers or they become plugged with debris. The valve to your main drain should be closed to 3/4, this will give skimmers more pull while providing that safety net. Fully close it when vacuuming manually.
We leave our solar cover on unless we are swimming, so I always pull off my two bottom drains only (no skimmer) with the cover on.
I think bottom drains help keep the pool cleaner by pulling stuff that settles to the bottom the skimmer can't get.
As long as the kids get in the pool a few times a week and keep it stirred up, I never need to vaccuum.
I think bottom drains help keep the pool cleaner by pulling stuff that settles to the bottom the skimmer can't get.
As long as the kids get in the pool a few times a week and keep it stirred up, I never need to vaccuum.
- Nov 12, 2017
- 12,627
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
I understood that a drain can protect the pump, but please explain: unless the skimmer is of the type that closes off when the water drops (is that some sort of float valve?), then would a main drain actually come to the rescue? Without a float valve in the skimmer, wouldn't the pump suck air whether the drain was open or closed?
- Jun 7, 2017
- 9,952
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Jandy Aquapure 1400
FYI: I was referring to water being stagnant in the drain line, not the bottom of the pool.
My main drains have been sucking for 42 years, no issues. Upgraded to the new design covers a few years back. Close only when i vacuum.
- Nov 12, 2017
- 12,627
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
I posed this question elsewhere just a few days ago. As my drains are now sealed off at the bottom, I was wondering about the water still in the pipe. My drain plumbs to my skimmer, so I was thinking the remaining pipe might become some sort of breeding ground. I solved that by plugging up the end at the skimmer with an expansion plug. Yes, the water is still in there, but at least it's now completely isolated from the pool. Whatever is growing in there now will eventually eat itself. No light, no food, no problem.
For the OP, should he/she decide to stop using the drain, I expect they could run it once in a while to clean it out. Or I suppose they could cap it off altogether if they were determined to.
The OP stated he can close his drains, therefore his is plumbed back to the pad. He should leave that valve 3/4 open for my above reasons.
if your drain is plumbed to the skimmer, it’s useless and can be capped off.
if your drain is plumbed to the skimmer, it’s useless and can be capped off.
- Jun 7, 2017
- 9,952
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Jandy Aquapure 1400
Yep! That is what the builder called them. Just a single 2" pipe split into 3 returns on the bottom of the pool.
the first year I thought the bottom drains didn’t even work. I closed all the flaps - in the skimmer- the pump was still pumping and then I saw the leaves gets sucked in from bottom two drains. I’m going to do that before I vacuum.
If a main drain that is plumbed to the skimmer has that much suction it is an entrapment issue. Those flaps to cover the back hole are only to be used fo vacuuming purposes. That is the only use of a drain plumbed to the skimmer. “Supposedly” the water flowing over the front hole will create a Venturi type suction and pull water up the line....right...I have some swamp land for sale too....
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