MAIN DRAIN MARCH
What exactly is a main drain? Most homeowners do not pay any mind to their main drain or understand how it works. Contrary to its name, this is not how one would actually drain their pool if they were looking to do so. The main drain is a suction port often located in the deepest part of the pool. The main drain is sized and designed before the installation to ensure adequate flow and reduce the potential for entrapment.
MAIN ATTRACTION
So, what exactly do you need to understand about your Main Drain? Back in 2008, a federal regulation was enacted called the VGB Pool and Spa Safety Act. It required all main drain covers on commercial pools and spas utilize an anti-entrapment cover, as well as a secondary safety system if they had a single blockable drain. This regulation only affected residential pools when a new pool was being built, the pool surface redone, or a liner was being replaced. These anti-entrapment covers replaced drains being used in the industry called anti-vortex. These new anti-entrapment covers were being made in a way to prevent suction entrapment and also withstand chemical and UV degradation, although they do have an expiration date and need replacement when expired.
MAIN THING
What does this anti-entrapment cover do? Just as the name implies, it is designed to help prevent against entrapment. With swimming pools, there are five means of entrapment we need to prevent. This includes hair entrapment, body entrapment, limb entrapment, mechanical entrapment, and evisceration. These covers are rated for a maximum flow (depending on whether they are on the wall or floor). These covers should be installed so that the maximum flow is not exceeded, thus preventing entrapment.
MAIN POINT
A lot of residential pools are either being designed now with multiple main drains or no main drain at all to help prevent against entrapment. This, along with these special anti-entrapment covers, are safety features for bathers. As a pool owner, you want to ensure that your main drain covers are the anti-entrapment variety and properly secured as per the manufacturer. This can be done by daily visual inspections and testing its stability with your pool brush. You also want to ensure that when the cover is expired, that it is replaced. These covers have an expiration life of either 3-5-7 or 10 years depending on the size and manufacturer.
MAIN EVENT
So, how do you know if your drain cover needs replacing? If we happened to replace your covers, we have records and will notify you when they need replacement. If you had your pool recently resurfaced or a liner installed, and have not since replaced your cover, your expiration would be from that installation date. Don’t know what size or manufacturer cover you have? Ask us, we can usually just tell by looking at them. Give us a call and find out what you need to do to stay safe!
