Ideas for removing main drain clog?

[brew4eagle]

I believe I have a clog in the main drain line. If I set my diverter to pull only from the main drain I lose prime. If set the diverters to about 80:20 skimmers:main drain, all is well. I've tested for air leaks at the above ground plumbing and valves and don't see anything causing air leaks when I'm at 80:20.
So, any good DIY tips for trying to remove a clog? I had the coping and tile redone last summer and have a feeling it could be some excess grout/mortar from that job combined with hair, leaves, etc. There are 2 drain coverings at the bottom, not sure what they look like under the covers.

 

[mas985]

You could try to back flush the line and see if anything comes out. Set the valve to MD only, then put a hose in the pipe that comes into the pump via the pump basket. Seal with a wet rag and see if anything comes out of the MD.

 

[Jimrahbe]

eagle,

First.. Almost no one needs a main drain.. There are many, many pools out there that run just fine without one..

But if you are convinced that you need one, then I would get a Drain King and force water from the pump back into the main drain and see what you get out, if anything. I'd take the main drain covers off first...

Drain King VIP2 Drain Unclogging Kit With Kitchen Sink Crossbar Adapter, 1.5 to 3 Inch - Drain Augers - Amazon.com

Drain King VIP2 Drain Unclogging Kit With Kitchen Sink Crossbar Adapter, 1.5 to 3 Inch - Drain Augers - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[brew4eagle]

eagle,

First.. Almost no one needs a main drain.. There are many, many pools out there that run just fine without one..

But if you are convinced that you need one, then I would get a Drain King and force water from the pump back into the main drain and see what you get out, if anything. I'd take the main drain covers off first...

Drain King VIP2 Drain Unclogging Kit With Kitchen Sink Crossbar Adapter, 1.5 to 3 Inch - Drain Augers - Amazon.com

Drain King VIP2 Drain Unclogging Kit With Kitchen Sink Crossbar Adapter, 1.5 to 3 Inch - Drain Augers - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

Thanks,

Jim R.

Thanks for the reply Jim. I had just ordered a drain king from amazon after reading about it during other research.
Understood with the main drain. I do like to run the main drain when brushing the floor. I occasionally get some yellowish dirt/algae on the surfaces if I go too long without a good vacuuming/brushing and that's when I like to go to more main drain flow and brush it towards the drain to get it into the filter.
Will report back on the use of the drain king. Not sure I'll be able to dive down and get the drain covers off. Might try with covers on at first.

 

[mas985]

I do like to run the main drain when brushing the floor.

MDs are really not designed for that and the likely reason it became clogged.

 

[brew4eagle]

MDs are really not designed for that and the likely reason it became clogged.

I'm talking about very fine material, the stuff I'm brushing wouldn't clog a pipe. I always vacuum first, then follow up with the brushing to get the bio-film like material that survives vacuuming.

 

[Jimrahbe]

eagle,

If you get algae, you should take read this... ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry and see what we are all about.

Also, check our our Pool School... Pool School - Trouble Free Pool

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[brew4eagle]

eagle,

If you get algae, you should take read this... ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry and see what we are all about.

Also, check our our Pool School... Pool School - Trouble Free Pool

Thanks,

Jim R.

I'm fully up to speed on all of that, this site is awesome and I've become quite knowledgeable over the last 5 years thanks to TFP. I just get distracted by life on occasion and neglect the liquid bleach addition and thorough cleaning, especially when have a good week of afternoon storms like we just had. That's when I'll sometimes see the very beginnings of possible algae. I can recover the pool back to crystal clearness with a good hr of vacuuming and brushing. That's what I was doing today when discovered the main drain clog.

 

[brew4eagle]

So the drain king did nothing. I do have an air leak at the Jandy grease cup for that diverter valve, thinking that maybe when I go to 100% main drain that grease cup leak is bad enough to lose prime? Doubtful though as when I go 100% skimmer I don't lose prime. Unless the water flow rate is different enough in those 2 set ups? Guess I'll start by replacing the grease cup since it should be done anyways. Currently I can tighten it/fiddle with it to make air bubbles go away from the pump basket. It's always something, haha!

 

[Jimrahbe]

eagle,

Well, the drain king should have proven that you did not have a clog.. If water is going in, it has to come out somewhere.. Did you not notice the water moving backwards out of the main drain??

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[brew4eagle]

eagle,

Well, the drain king should have proven that you did not have a clog.. If water is going in, it has to come out somewhere.. Did you not notice the water moving backwards out of the main drain??

Thanks,

Jim R.

I didn't see much turbulence/movement coming out of the main drain, but assuming there was no clog I'm not sure how much visible water movement to expect. So, I agree that the drain king seemed to have proven no clog. A storm was brewing or I would have spent a little more time with the drain king.