If you live near a large body of water, you know how annoying it can be when the rain turns the pool into a stream. The water that was once crystal clear becomes cloudy and unclean. Thankfully, there are ways for you to temporarily stop the flow of water from your pool, or at least make it less dramatic. One of the simplest and most effective solutions is to open the drain plug. Here’s how to do it.
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Look For The Black Hole
The first step is to locate the black hole. This is the area near the drain where all the water collects. When you pull back the flap of the cover plate, you will see a round opening at the base of the sidewall. This is the drain, and behind it is the black hole. Avoid getting any water in there since it eventually leads to the pump. If any of this is unclear, you can actually watch the entire process on YouTube. It’s easy enough even for beginners.
Raise The Level Of The Pool
The next step is to raise the level of the pool. To do this, you will need to use either a pool pump or a garden hose. The purpose of this step is to put more distance between the drain and the base of the pool. The higher the level, the more water there will be above the drain. You will also need to watch out for any restrictions that may be in place due to your local government. For example, in some places it’s illegal to pump water directly into the pool. You can get a permit to do this, but in other places you need to avoid it. Some pools can be rather delicate organisms, and you don’t want to damage them. Make sure you follow all the restrictions and safety measures around pools.
Take Out The Plug
Once you’ve raised the level of the pool, you can take out the plug. This is simply a plastic plug with a little valve on it. When the plug is in place, it blocks the drain, preventing any water from flowing out. If you want to temporarily stop the flow of water, all you have to do is remove the plug. You can leave it out for the entire season, and during the off-season you can remove it and bring it back when you want to use the pool. This is what most people refer to as a temporary fix because it doesn’t resolve the issue of heavy rainwater flooding their pool. After a while, the water will seep through the cracks around the base and re-occlude the drain. You will need to repeat this process every year.
Try Placing Rocks On The Drain
Another solution is to place rocks on the drain. This will serve the dual purpose of partially blocking the drain and creating a small waterfall. The flow of water will start out smooth, but as it approaches the drain, it will start to slow down. When the water reaches a certain point, it will start falling over the edge of the drain, onto a flat surface such as a concrete pool deck or garden shed. This will help to reduce the frequency of water damage and keep your pool looking fresh and clean. Make sure you place the rocks on the entire length of the drain, otherwise, you might end up with portions of your pool that are dry and unusable. Plus, it’s not a good idea to block off a natural water source, so make sure you’ve considered your local environment before you start chipping away at the pool’s stone foundation.
Add More Channels To The DéJà Vu
While the previous solution is effective, it’s not the most elegant solution. Another way to stop the flow of water is to install a second drain, connected to the first drain in the vicinity of the black hole. This will result in more water flowing into the black hole, making it appear even more like a tiny whirlpool. You can achieve a similar effect by piling on more rocks and/or soil around the base of the pool. It’s not always practical to add a second drain, particularly if you already have a garden hose leading to the base of the pool. For the best results, you will need to use a pool pump.
These are the most common ways to open the drain plug on a summer waves pool. Naturally, there are several other methods, depending on your local environment and hardware availability. If any of this was unclear and you want to learn more, you can actually watch the entire process on YouTube. It’s an easy way to learn and understand how to open a drain plug on a summer waves pool. With a little bit of planning and research, you can ensure that your temporary fix is as effective as possible. Remember: the best solution is to fix the source of the problem, so if you get a chance, take a good look at the roof and gutter system to see if any of it needs fixing. Your local home improvement store can help you figure out what tools you’ll need to get the job done. They may also have the items you could borrow or buy to complete the task. Do your research and see what’s available locally before you commit. Sometimes there are restrictions on what you can and cannot use, so be careful about what materials you select. It’s also a good idea to get the opinions of several reliable individuals, so you can be sure that you’re making the right decision for your needs and situation.