I know I need to lower my water a few inches below my skimmers. I can turn the 4-way valve to 'waste' to start the process. However, I know as soon as the water gets too low, the skimmers will suck in air and the pump will lose prime and I can ruin it. How do I lower the water those next few inches? (I don't really want to buy a submersible pump.) I have two main drains in the deep end. Can I actually suck water out using the main drains somehow? I know each skimmer has a valve that I can close off. If they are closed, will water continue to be sucked out from the main drains? I don't want to ruin the pump.
How do I use bottom drains to lower water below the skimmer?
- Thread starter kittersue
- Start date
- Jun 22, 2014
- 51,990
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Yes, you should have a valve "before" the pump intake. The pipes coming up and out of the ground returning to the pump from the pool should have a valve to adjust flow from the skimmer(s) and/or the main drain(s). You might also have a diverter valve in the skimmer itself - a saucer-shaped item the moves across the bottom of the skimmer if there are two holes inside there. In either case, simply adjust the valve(s) slowly and watch the water flow into the skimmer and back to the pump. With main drains, you should be able to keep the water flowing adequately to the pump as long as those main drains are still serviceable and not closed/plugged for some reason.
If you are confused by the valves, you can always do it old school--> turn pump off and drop a hose into the pool with the other end laid down in a low spot of the yard. Start a siphon and it will goooooo! Just don't leave it untended or you can accidentally drain your pool with the passive siphoning!
Yip
Yip
- May 23, 2015
- 25,674
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Just a note - you don't have to buy a submersible pump. Both HD and Lowes have equipment rental departments. You can easily rent a submersible pump for about $20/day.
Gravity/siphon method works too but the output side of the hose has to be at a lower elevation relative to the pool. That's not always possible for some pool owners.
Gravity/siphon method works too but the output side of the hose has to be at a lower elevation relative to the pool. That's not always possible for some pool owners.