Reasons why pool drains might not be working?

[Owen Lucas]

Pool was opened recently and the tech could not get suction from the pool drain lines into the pool pump. He closed off that intake and is running the pool pump from the skimmer oly.

He mentioned that a diver might have to go into the pool to see what is going on. What issues could I be facing? Could this be clogged drains? Are there valves down there? Is it possible the pool will have to be drained for a repair?

It appears that the pool loses about an inch of water per week, IDK if this is evaporation or some type of leak.

This is my first time owning an inground pool and it's starting to sound like a handful. The pool was built in 2012.

 

[RhondaHonda]

You can check the water loss doing an overnight test with a bucket. Measure the water loss distance in the bucket and compare to the pool. If the pool loses the same, no leaks, just evaporation.

I doubt there’s any valve in the main drain, just a valve back near the equipment. My skimmers are always tough to clear on opening. I open and close the main drain valve a few times to break the airlock or whatever is in there and it eventually clears up. I leave mine set to mainly pull from the skimmers with the main drain valve opened just a bit. This keeps the surface of the pool cleaner.

Maybe they can run a camera up the main drain with the cover removed or from the valve side?

 

[RhondaHonda]

Where are you located? An inch this time of year may be nothing in a dry climate.

 

[Owen Lucas]

You can check the water loss doing an overnight test with a bucket. Measure the water loss distance in the bucket and compare to the pool. If the pool loses the same, no leaks, just evaporation.

I doubt there’s any valve in the main drain, just a valve back near the equipment. My skimmers are always tough to clear on opening. I open and close the main drain valve a few times to break the airlock or whatever is in there and it eventually clears up. I leave mine set to mainly pull from the skimmers with the main drain valve opened just a bit. This keeps the surface of the pool cleaner.

Maybe they can run a camera up the main drain with the cover removed or from the valve side?

Those are good points. The tech wasn't able to get the pump to prime with the drain valve open, possibly because it was just pulling against a closed off pipe. But there are 2 drains, so this is even more concerning. I like the bucket method, i'll give it a try.

 

[97prizm]

Pool was opened recently and the tech could not get suction from the pool drain lines into the pool pump. He closed off that intake and is running the pool pump from the skimmer oly.

He mentioned that a diver might have to go into the pool to see what is going on. What issues could I be facing? Could this be clogged drains? Are there valves down there? Is it possible the pool will have to be drained for a repair?

It appears that the pool loses about an inch of water per week, IDK if this is evaporation or some type of leak.

This is my first time owning an inground pool and it's starting to sound like a handful. The pool was built in 2012.

Ahh pool time. I worked on the apartment complex pool when I worked maintenance. What type of filter do you have? If it's a sand filter they are supposed to be backflushed roughly once per week. If you do not have a pool testing kit I'd highly recommend that you get one as it tests for different things. Turbidity, ph, Alkalinity, water hardness. An inch per week if it's hot outside and people are getting in and out isn't unheard of. How many gallons is your pool? Depending on setup you should have two drains and filters per long side. These typically have a port for a round vacuum hose to vacuum the pool.

 

[97prizm]

Your pump should have settings, and like mentioned above should be pulling suction through the skimmers.

 

[RhondaHonda]

Those are good points. The tech wasn't able to get the pump to prime with the drain valve open, possibly because it was just pulling against a closed off pipe. But there are 2 drains, so this is even more concerning. I like the bucket method, i'll give it a try.

Is your equipment above or below the pool surface? Mine is a few feet below so it doesn’t take much to prime as it floods the pump via gravity. What type of filter does it have? I have a cartridge filter so I can’t speak to a sand or DE filter. You have two separate main drains? Do you have a pic?

 

[RhondaHonda]

One other thing, if you have a leak on the suction side of the system, you’d be getting air bubbles out of the returns. If you have a leak downstream of the pump, I’d think the ground would get soggy somewhere around the pool.

 

[Owen Lucas]

Ahh pool time. I worked on the apartment complex pool when I worked maintenance. What type of filter do you have? If it's a sand filter they are supposed to be backflushed roughly once per week. If you do not have a pool testing kit I'd highly recommend that you get one as it tests for different things. Turbidity, ph, Alkalinity, water hardness. An inch per week if it's hot outside and people are getting in and out isn't unheard of.

What type of filter does it have? I have a cartridge filter so I can’t speak to a sand or DE filter.

I have a large Hayward sand filter, looks like 350lbs of sand capacity. It doesn't have a port for the pool vacuum. The vacuum attached to an adapter that goes over the skimmer port.

The tech flushed the sand filter for a few seconds and the water came out clean. I'll have to flush it again after the opening soon.

I have a test strips, which I have learned are not very accurate. I'll have to get a chemistry kit with reagents.

Your pump should have settings, and like mentioned above should be pulling suction through the skimmers.

There is suction through the skimmers, the basket did get full of organic matter. The suction seems to vary at points.

One other thing, if you have a leak on the suction side of the system, you’d be getting air bubbles out of the returns. If you have a leak downstream of the pump, I’d think the ground would get soggy somewhere around the pool.

I get bubbles out of the returns when turning the system on, sometimes it doesn't seem to catch completely and will continue bubbling for a while and I can't feel much water coming out of the returns.

I don't see any soggy ground, so that's a plus! I have no photos of the drains as the pool bottom is still green and cloudy from the lack of circulation and filtration.

Tiem to call the pool guys out and see what the damage is.

 

[Cropduster172]

Just opened ours 2 weeks ago. Second year that it required back flushing within 48 hours of opening. It's the accumulated stuff at the bottom clogging the filter grids from the first vacuuming PLUS the large quantities of pollen. I've been using skimmer socks now for a few years. They definitely help... especially with pollen.
I can't imagine what would clog a bottom drain though.
They have grids similar to the skimmer baskets.
Is the pump in good running condition?
Try back flushing 2-3 times and then closing off skimmer suction do it's only drain suction. Not so familiar with sand filters.
I've got a 60sf DE filter.

 

[Owen Lucas]

Just opened ours 2 weeks ago. Second year that it required back flushing within 48 hours of opening. It's the accumulated stuff at the bottom clogging the filter grids from the first vacuuming PLUS the large quantities of pollen. I've been using skimmer socks now for a few years. They definitely help... especially with pollen.

I was not aware of skimmer socks, I'll look into this. That's how little I know about pools. I can see some organic matter in the pump sight glass which went through the skimmer basket. I see how a sock would help with smaller particulates and protect the filter somewhat.

I can't imagine what would clog a bottom drain though.
They have grids similar to the skimmer baskets.

This seems to be a pre-existing failure from what I am told but I don't remember the exact details. IIRC now, it might have been mentioned that repairs to the drain would have to happen when it's time for a new pool liner.

Is the pump in good running condition?

Yes, the pool guy had no others comments other than saying it was a high quality pump.

Try back flushing 2-3 times and then closing off skimmer suction do it's only drain suction. Not so familiar with sand filters.
I've got a 60sf DE filter.

You mean backflushing into the pool or back flushing the filter?

 

[Cropduster172]

I was not aware of skimmer socks, I'll look into this. That's how little I know about pools. I can see some organic matter in the pump sight glass which went through the skimmer basket. I see how a sock would help with smaller particulates and protect the filter somewhat.


This seems to be a pre-existing failure from what I am told but I don't remember the exact details. IIRC now, it might have been mentioned that repairs to the drain would have to happen when it's time for a new pool liner.


Yes, the pool guy had no others comments other than saying it was a high quality pump.


You mean backflushing into the pool or back flushing the filter?

Back flushing the filter. I know the suction and pressure sides are both weakened when the DE filter grids are clogged/ dirty. The pump's power is diminished. I'm not familiar with sand filters.
You should empty the pump debris basket. Put the cover back on and tighten down completely. Run until fully primed. Back flush. Start again with only bottom drain open and skimmers closed off. You want the pumps full suction power concentrated on the bottom drain line.
If it clears , check the pump basket again for a larger object or likely a wad of hair, grass etc...
If that doesn't work, the drain can be snaked but you'll want a decent pool service to do that.

 

[Owen Lucas]

Back flushing the filter. I know the suction and pressure sides are both weakened when the DE filter grids are clogged/ dirty.

If it's a sand filter they are supposed to be backflushed roughly once per week.

I flushed the sand filter again, this time for a minute and then I performed the rinse function for another minute. The pressure is the same but you can definitely see more water flowing through the skimmer and the pool jets are creating turbulence 6+ feet out, which wasn't the case before.

The water came out pretty green and then lightened up. I think I'll have to flush the filter at least once a day at this rate.

I even left the pool vacuum over one of the drains hoping the suction clears it out, worth a try!

Is your equipment above or below the pool surface?

It is above the pool surface.

 

[Cropduster172]

You may be on the right track.

 

[Owen Lucas]

You may be on the right track.

Thanks. I have another pool guy coming out for a second opinion.

Apparently it is common for the bottom pool drains to become clogged or break / leak but running an entire pool on a skimmer is supposed to be fine. Not my idea of fine, but what can I do, rip up the pool and replumb this thing? We'll see what the new guys says.

 

[97prizm]

I flushed the sand filter again, this time for a minute and then I performed the rinse function for another minute. The pressure is the same but you can definitely see more water flowing through the skimmer and the pool jets are creating turbulence 6+ feet out, which wasn't the case before.

The water came out pretty green and then lightened up. I think I'll have to flush the filter at least once a day at this rate.

I even left the pool vacuum over one of the drains hoping the suction clears it out, worth a try!


It is above the pool surface.

View attachment 280121

When I worked apartment maintenance we would rotate every Saturday morning and come in to clean and check the pool chemicals. We'd typically backflush the filter for 10-12 minutes or until the pressure would drop into the green range on the pressure gauge. When you backflush this should push water from the filter out to the drain. In some cases If I remember correctly this also might siphon some water from your pool so you'll need to top off then check the ph again. The pump should have a lever that can be switched between a few different settings.

 

[RhondaHonda]

I flushed the sand filter again, this time for a minute and then I performed the rinse function for another minute. The pressure is the same but you can definitely see more water flowing through the skimmer and the pool jets are creating turbulence 6+ feet out, which wasn't the case before.

The water came out pretty green and then lightened up. I think I'll have to flush the filter at least once a day at this rate.

I even left the pool vacuum over one of the drains hoping the suction clears it out, worth a try!


It is above the pool surface.

View attachment 280121

Is the water clear? Is it a variable speed pump?

 

[burbguy82]

I flushed the sand filter again, this time for a minute and then I performed the rinse function for another minute. The pressure is the same but you can definitely see more water flowing through the skimmer and the pool jets are creating turbulence 6+ feet out, which wasn't the case before.

The water came out pretty green and then lightened up. I think I'll have to flush the filter at least once a day at this rate.

I even left the pool vacuum over one of the drains hoping the suction clears it out, worth a try!


It is above the pool surface.

View attachment 280121

The bottom drains are farthest from the pump.........and pools are not plumbed with pressure balance loops typically. 20 psi is about proper. Your sand filter must be pretty nasty. Water clarifier (blue gel stuff) aids in catching nasties in the filter.

the only other possibilitesa are clogged line or broken line.

 

[Owen Lucas]

Is the water clear? Is it a variable speed pump?

It is a single speed. The water is not clear yet, I spoke to the pool guy and he told me to add 8-12 gallons of chlorine into the pool. I was surprised by the amount, but it sounds like it's normal to add this much when the pool is green. I'll get 12 gallons of chlorine tomorrow and set the pool timer to run the pump all day and night.

The bottom drains are farthest from the pump.........and pools are not plumbed with pressure balance loops typically. 20 psi is about proper. Your sand filter must be pretty nasty. Water clarifier (blue gel stuff) aids in catching nasties in the filter.

the only other possibilitesa are clogged line or broken line.

The pool company recommended a diver to come out and take a look at the drains. One theory is the drains might have been plugged due to a leak.

I'll look into the water clarifier. The pool store also advised using glass filter media vs sand. IDK when or if the filter sand was ever replaced and the unit is about 12 years old, so it might be time to replace the media.

 

[RhondaHonda]

I get my liquid 12.5% chlorine at Menards if you have one. If the pool is green and water above 60 degrees it will take some gallons to get it cleared up. Troublefreepool is a great site. I bought a test kit and have had a crystal clear pool other than liquid chlorine, mjriatic acid and some cyanuric acid each year. Do one reading there and get a decent test kit. The pool stores aren’t your friend and my water is much better when when I had a pool service and I save a fortune.