Instead, it is an outlet, housing a pipe that runs to the pump, which sucks water through a skimmer, then through a filter, then through a heater (if you have one), and then back to the pool via multiple inlets. The main drain has value other than draining out the pool. In the photo below, there are four valves. From entrapment to circulation, there are so many wrong ideas on swimming pool main drain. February 2009 . or are you saying that it wouldnt make any difference to water / dirt collecting on bottom of the pool whether the valve was open or closed? valve into tee for main drain to pump inlet is closed. The federal 2007 Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act regulates swimming pool main drains. Be sure no one is in the pool when you attempt to remove the drain, as the suction can cause drowning. When I did so I also noticed that my two pool skimmer/filters worked better. An inground swimming pool's main drain is located in the deep end of the pool. A friend told me to keep the main drain open all … These are "3-way" style valves. ? It is heated to 82 and it does seem when the heater operates more I lose water faster. To operate a suction pool cleaner or manually vacuum the pool, you can close other skimmers, or close the main drain, to obtain more suction through the skimmer you are using. My pool has two main drain openings, to prevent entrapment. During winter months or periods of non-use, most pool drains do not need to be plugged, but in some cases plugging a main drain is required or recommended. I use a Kreepy Krawly pool cleaner so the main drain stays closed all the time, otherwise, … My pool has a 3HP Intelliflow VS pump. How to set valves for an in ground swimming pool automatic cleaning the pool skimmer and pump basket swimmingpool how to close your inground pool in 5 easy s closing pool care how to close and winterize your pool drain systems howstuffworks Pool Valve Settings Vacuuming By PoolplazaSwimming Pool Valves And Plumbing Information PageSwimming Pool… I’m getting ready for my first spring pool opening. I primarily use a barracuda that connects to one of two holes in the one (and only) skimmer. The previous owner of the pool only had a skimmer intake open. A normal pool valve setting would have the skimmer valve(s) fully open, main drain half-open and spa drain fully closed. I have a 40K inground pool that is losing maybe an inch or two of water every three or four days. If your swimming pool has a main drain, ensure, at minimum, that it has a suction entrapment-proof cover. My pool has two main drain openings, to prevent entrapment. The best way to limit overwhelming suction with a pool main drain is to have at least two of them to lessen each drain… They are, from left to right, SPA MAIN DRAIN, CLEANER, SKIMMER, and POOL MAIN DRAIN. CASE STUDY: The Option of Pools without 'Main Drains' Background . 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.