QA

Quick Answer: How To Replace Pool Drain Cover

How do I remove my pool drain cover?

Twist the cover counterclockwise if no screws hold it down. You may have to swim up for air and then swim back down several times until you get it removed. Lift the cover up out of the drain hole when it has been unfastened.

How long do pool drain covers last?

Drain cover manufacturers are required to provide the consumer with information that tells them when the drain cover must be replaced before they begin to crack or show other signs of failure. Many manufacturers have designated a life span of 5 years, others up to 10 years.

What is an anti vortex drain cover?

An anti-vortex pool drain cover is a type of safety drain cover that lets more water flow through it so suction is reduced, creating a safer swimming environment, especially for smaller children.

How do you know if your pool is leaking main?

First thing you need to do, is verify that your main drain line is leaking. We do this by removing the main drain cover, plugging the line with a special extra long plug, and pressure testing the line. If your line won’t hold pressure, it is definitely leaking.

What is drain at bottom of pool for?

Swimming pool main drains are one of two mechanisms used in many pools to circulate and filter their water, the other being skimmers. A swimming pool main drain uses suction to pull pool water through it. Heavy particulate matter that sinks to a pool’s bottom is often sucked away through a main drain.

What are VGB drain covers?

VGB Drain Covers & Sump Grates These drain sump covers are unblockable and are qualified “Field Fabricated Outlets”, which can be used with existing pool outlets (drains). However, these drain covers are not intended for pools with single main drains, except in special cases.

How long are VGB drain covers good for?

It’s the Law This standard requires that manufacturers determine a life expectancy and place a permanent mark with “Life: X Years” on each cover to indicate lifespan. Code requires that drain covers need to be replaced every 5 YEARS after the date of installation.

Does VGB drain cover expire?

How Do I Find Out When My Drain Cover Expires? VGB requires drain expiration information to be stamped on the top of each outlet cover and provided in the product literature. As you look at the top of the outlet cover you will see “Life ___ Years” stamped just below the design flow rating.

Why does my pool have two drains?

When constructing a new swimming pool, if you are going to use a main drain it is required that you use two. This is due to safety regulations to help prevent Main Trap Entrapment. Main drain entrapment occurs when the suction is so great through a single main drain that a person can become stuck on or in the drain.

What is an anti-entrapment drain cover?

The Act, designed to prevent life-threatening injuries and drownings by drain entrapment, specifies that every commercial pool and spa in the U.S. must be fitted with new compliant anti-entrapment safety drain cover by December, 19, 2008 or the pool and spa will be closed until the correction is made.

What does anti-vortex mean?

An anti-vortex plate is a special component installed in the suction line of surge tanks to control the turbulence in a flowing fluid. These plates are simple in design and very effectively control the velocity of the fluid thus preventing cavitation in the fluid.

Where do pools usually leak?

Look closely at the filter, pump, heater, and pipe valves, which is where leaks often tend to occur. If you have a vinyl pool liner, look for tears or separations around the fittings, lights, steps, and corners.

Can pool main drain get clogged?

A pool’s main drain can become clogged with debris. Your swimming pool’s main drain requires regular maintenance. Although the rest of the pool’s parts, such as the filter, may seem to be working just fine, the drain is always at risk of getting clogged.

Can I plug my pool main drain?

Locate the small hole at the bottom of the main drain. This is the plumbing line to the filter. Plug the small hole with an expandable rubber plug or a plastic threaded plug, if the hole is threaded. Replace the main drain lid if needed.

Does an inground pool need a bottom drain?

Main drains are not required in an inground swimming pool, however, they are strongly recommended and can be extremely useful in some circumstances. This is useful when replacing your pool liner. Main drains are also helpful in the filtering of water and dirt from the bottom of the pool.

Can a pool drain disembowel you?

Pool suction drain injury, also known as suction entrapment, occurs when the drain of a wading pool, swimming pool, or hot tub suck in a swimmer’s jewelry, torso, limbs, hair or buttocks. Evisceration, also known as disembowelment, could happen in case of buttock entrapment.

Should I Use main drain or skimmers?

Skimmer Vs. Drain. If the pool receives a lot of leaves and other debris, more suction may be required at the skimmer than the main drain to adequately strain debris floating on the surface. Conversely, if dirt on the bottom of the pool is the principal contaminant, more suction is required at the main drain.

How much does it cost to install a pool drain on a deck?

Putting drainage under your deck costs $500 to $3,000 on average.

How does an inground pool drain work?

During normal operation, water flows to the filtering system through two or more main drains at the bottom of the pool and multiple skimmer drains around the top of the pool. The main drains are usually located on the lowest point in the pool, so the entire pool surface slants toward them.