Above Ground Pool Bottom Drain & PVC Plumbing
Тәжірибелік нұсқаулар және стиль
Changing over all the flexible pipe to 1.5" PVC pipe and adding a bottom drain on my above ground pool. Makes for a much cleaner pool!
3 way valve: amzn.to/3ALY1qE
Intake Screen: amzn.to/3AILlka
1-way check valve: amzn.to/3BbsP5k
Hayward Chlorinator: amzn.to/3Rwfud6
Blue Monster Sealant: amzn.to/3qgFL3u
Пікірлер: 125
I had a Doughboy pool for 23 years and it had a bottom drain. That pool needed to be replaced and the new one the installer said he would not take the risk for a bottom drain and I didn't need one. Well, it is season 4 and we have had nothing but issues with the pool when we get 100 plus degrees day after day. Our pool became unbalanced and a mess. I thought about the drain and I came up with a temporary way of doing it and our pool is back to looking clear again. I am going to implement this using 1.5 inch PVC before I close the pool or before I open it next year. Excellent job! Thank you for the video and all of your pointers!
@NealORussa
2 ай бұрын
Thanks so much for the comment! Hope you can get it going this season and alleviate some of the problems!
Really nice job. This is what I'll be doing this coming weekend. I hope it turns out as nice as yours.
@NealORussa
3 ай бұрын
I'm sure it will turn out great, and it's a huge time saver keeping the pool clean! Thanks for the comment!
We had a 28' above ground. We added a center drain when we installed it and it worked so well. When you get a lot of bottom trash all we had to do was shut off the skimmer and turn the main on for 10 minutes. It would pull everything to the center. One dip of the net and the pool was clean.
@NealORussa
Жыл бұрын
That's awesome! I've been leaving my valve about 1/3 bottom drain and 2/3 skimmer box and it has been working good. Hardly any debris on the bottom. Next time I replace my liner I'll probably do a center drain like you!
I like the idea of a bottom pick up in addition to the skimmer. I’m planning on going to hard plumbing but we’re still doing landscaping and final pump,filter placement is not decided yet. So for the time being I’m using Ag hose and fittings. Including ball valves. The fittings and valves are “full port”, true 1.5 inches. The hose is completely smooth inside. And UV resistant. It made a huge improvement in flow.
@NealORussa
11 ай бұрын
Good idea thanks for sharing!
Awesome plumbing and video! I’m considering doing this just to have the ability to use the bottom drain and pump to winterize!
@NealORussa
2 ай бұрын
Yes that was a huge help as well! I have a pool closing video where I show what chemicals and stuff I do to close the pool for the season. The bottom drain makes it so easy to drain water below the skimmer basket and jet!
Above ground pools do have a bottom drain. It's your pool vacuum, just hook it up and place it in the center while you sweep to it. You can let it run for a while after a weekend of swimming to filter from the bottom and then switch back to the skimmer. It Will help prevent algae build up.
@NealORussa
7 ай бұрын
Yes I just got tired of hooking up, priming and reeling up the hose for the vacuum. This is always there sucking up any algae that doesn't make it to the skimmer and sinks.
Loving this idea. I'm replacing an old summer waves pool with a hard sided above ground and the lack of a bottom drain always bothered me. Easier to sweep stuff into a bottom drain than vacuum it for sure. Thanks for the idea.
@NealORussa
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for the comment! It definitely worked well last year toward the end of season when I installed it. This year will be the first full season. I think it makes a big difference just all the heavy particles sunk to the bottom but still swirling around from the jet. This thing should suck that algae up before it settles
@phouchyubeered1187
Жыл бұрын
There should be no algae if water is treated right.
@BuddhaC5
2 ай бұрын
@@phouchyubeered1187in a perfect world yes but usually it isn’t that easy. So having this helps in those cases
This is perfect! I have bought all the supplies to do this. I was going to cut a hole and add a low suction to the side but was unsure if that would work. I didn't want to destroy the pool. Anyway, thanks for your suggestion.
@NealORussa
Жыл бұрын
Glad it's helping! I thought about a hole too but figured I'd try this out. Unfortunately didn't get this setup installed until late last year. Looking forward to easier cleaning this year.
@WalkersLawn
Жыл бұрын
@@NealORussa I'm sure it will work just fine. I already have the spa drain coming and have the pipe and elbow waiting. Thanks for the idea!💯
@WalkersLawn
Жыл бұрын
@@NealORussa I also added a three way valve on the bottom drain pipe and will use it for my pool vac. That way I won't have to worry about connecting to the skimmer basket.
If you want something that will help keep your pool crystal clear all summer there is a product, I found that I wish I would have discovered years ago called Activator Plus by Clear Result. Late summer our above ground pool would start to get cloudy, not anymore. Crystal clear all the way into the Fall. The bottom drain gives me an idea. Good job!
@NealORussa
Ай бұрын
Thanks I'll check it out! I have used a proteam product in the past that is a small granular packet you put in your skimmer basket and it goes into your sand filter and is supposed to tighten up the particles for a tighter filter and cleaner water. That has worked well for me too. Appreciate you watching and the comment!
Nice job
@NealORussa
13 күн бұрын
Thanks! Check out my channel or subscribe for other pool tips!
Good video. We had a pool for 15 years that I installed myself with a center bottom drain. We replaced that pool after the wall rusted out and had it installed. I really wish I would have asked them to put in my bottom drain, as they installed w/o one. The pool is much dirtier now, so I had the same idea as you.
@NealORussa
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for the comment! That stinks you didn't get a bottom drain in the new pool, hopefully you can get this setup done easy enough to keep the new one cleaner!
Very nice clean job! Never seen clear primer.
@NealORussa
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for the comment! Yes clear primer is a lot nicer than the purple primer when the piping is going to be visible.
I did the same thing you did. I didn’t KZread it, but damn we are good. I only vacuum the center of my pool.
@NealORussa
4 ай бұрын
Awesome to hear! Yes I barely got the vacuum out last year, maybe twice. I usually just broom it over towards the drain.
We had a bottom drain installed in the middle of pool floor. Works great! 😊
@NealORussa
Жыл бұрын
Nice, how much did it cost? Did they do it during a liner replacement?
@Izabella_playz
Жыл бұрын
above pool with a main drain i never see it, i imagine should be pretty well done for avoiding leaks will be hard to fix
@eamonkelly9007
11 ай бұрын
If you're adding a drain, you need to have 2 drains at least 3 feet apart with VGB certified grates. You don't want your kids to drown or be disemboweled.
BRILLIANT
@NealORussa
Жыл бұрын
Thank you! I started my pool up last weekend and it's working perfect!
Thanks for the Monster sealant, I HATE TAPE ALSO.
@NealORussa
Жыл бұрын
Agree! I just bought another air tool last week and tried to tape the quick connect air fitting and did it backwards again and had to redo. The sealant is awesome.
Very helpful! Great setup! What connector are you using at the skimmer outlet? Before you switched out the flex hose, you had a ball valve just beneath the skimmer which is exactly what I'm trying to do right now. I just can't seem to get the right connectors.
@NealORussa
Жыл бұрын
If i recall, my skimmer box has a threaded outlet at the bottom of it. The inside is threaded for a 1.5" diameter male fitting, or the outside is threaded for a 2" female fitting. I used the 1.5" threaded male to a female slip joint, then used a short section of 1.5" pipe into the 1.5" ball valve. Then on the bottom of ball valve i used a short section of pipe, then a female slip joint to female 1.5" thread bushing, then screwed in a 1.5" hose barb fitting. Then i used the old flexible hose to the pump.
Could also consider draining the pool and installing a port through the side wall at the bottom.
@NealORussa
Жыл бұрын
Yes definitely an option. This was just an easy workaround to drilling a hole through the pool and liner and possibly dealing with more leaks. Also that still wouldnt put the drain on the bottom where i wanted it. It would be more of a port, about 8" off the floor.
@anthonybrincefield2812
Жыл бұрын
@@NealORussa I believe what you initially did is what I’ll try. Another hole in the wall seems not a good idea. Under warranty?
@NealORussa
Жыл бұрын
@@anthonybrincefield2812 yes it's working great! I'm opening the pool today and I was able to get my pump running with the bottom drain while the pool is still 1' below the skimmer box. Definitely will speed up my opening process!
@anthonybrincefield2812
Жыл бұрын
@@NealORussa That’s a great benefit! Ours has been open for just over two weeks now. I brought top off water from work with one of our water tanks and it took several trips before my wife could start the pump. If I add your idea we could have started the pump earlier.
Only thing I am confused about is you said you are doing this with 1 1/2” pipe, but two of the three links you gave us are for 2 inch pipes.
@NealORussa
20 күн бұрын
@@matthewvanacore4452 the 3 way valve is 1.5". The intake screen is 2" because I couldn't find any other nice looking screen at 1.5". The check valve is 2" because I wanted the larger flapper to have the least amount of flow restriction through the check valve. I used 3, reducer bushings (one at screen and one at each end of check valve) to go from 2" to 1.5" pipe. Hope that helps clarify!
Good idea. Going to try it out. I get a lot of dust at the bottom. Question…. Is it touching all they way to the floor or do you have it a few inches away from the bottom?
@NealORussa
Жыл бұрын
Hey thanks for the comment! Mine is about an inch off the bottom. I don't really have a reason I left the space. But I did. It would be fine either way probably.
Hello Neal. I really liked your video and have a question. Have you tried aligning the return jet downward so it makes the algae at the bottom of the pool rotate towards the bottom drain and get it sucked it? Thanks a lot!!
@NealORussa
2 ай бұрын
Thanks for the comment! My return jet is about 6' to the right of this bottom drain. My skimmer box is in between the bottom drain and return jet. I always angle my return jet down and to the right a bit. That way the pool water is always circulating in a circular motion. The centrifigual force effect pushes all the floating debris to the outside to get picked up by the skimmer basket. Heavier debris or leaves that don't make it into the bottom drain end up circulating at the very center of the pool and are easy to scoop out with the net.
You really should have two that are at least 3’ apart. This is not VGB compliant.
@NealORussa
Жыл бұрын
Why are two required? Also the intake grate is VGB compliant. Search part number 640-3570 V and you can find the certification.
@nifethrubutter
Жыл бұрын
@@NealORussa Two are required to be VGB compliant. I never said the drain cover isn’t compliant. VGB is more than an anti-vortex cover and a certificate. The installation itself needs to be compliant as well. This calls for 2 suction ports and if they’re on the same plane they must be 3 ft apart. Skimmer does not count as a suction port in this instance.
@NealORussa
Жыл бұрын
@@nifethrubutter Ahh, i see. Thank you for the clarification. I appreciate your insight. I know a lot of pools with only 1 bottom drain, but I do see the safety aspect of having two, in case a person is sucked into 1, the pump's suction could revert to the other so the person could get free. So i guess if i wanted to be compliant i would have to put a tee on my suction pipe and run a 2nd intake at least 3' from the original or could I install it on a different plane such as right off the tee at a 90* angle to the bottom drain?
This may be silly, but I am new to this. How did you keep the water in the pool while you worked on replacing the lines?
@NealORussa
Жыл бұрын
You can thread a plug in the ports. One inside the skimmer basket. One at the jet outlet. These are what I use. amzn.to/3N4SaCE
Great job, i was looking to do this myself but found your video. How far off the pool floor do you have the screen? Did you use 2” pipe or convert it from 2” to 1.5 at some point? Do you use a vacuum? If so what kind?
@NealORussa
Күн бұрын
The screen is about 1/2" off the bottom. I used 1.5" pipe and used a pvc bushing to go from 2" fitting on the screen to 1.50 pipe. I use a cheap vacuum
Nice build! Some people say Rigid PVC is not good for soft vinyl wall because the wall moves a lot. What you think?
@NealORussa
Жыл бұрын
My walls are aluminum and are fairly rigid when the pool is full. I don't think there will be any problems. The only change I would make would be to use pvc pressure fittings instead of the drain fittings I used.
Do you have a union connected to the lid of the filter? Just curious to if you need to maintenance it or change out sand how you get the lid off?
@NealORussa
Жыл бұрын
No I do not. Good point though. Would be needed if you have to change the sand in the filter. Technically after my filter it goes down to my automatically chlorinator and it has a check valve with unions on both sides of it, so I could remove the filter top with about a 2' stub or pipe hanging off the filter lid.
Pretty cool idea! I wouldn't mind trying this on my pool. Do you have to vacuum very much?
@NealORussa
Жыл бұрын
I did this very late in the season last year and didn't have a lot of time to see how much it helped. But I'll find out this year! I definitely think it will help a lot though with algae building up on the bottom though!
Hello Neal I need clarification of what you use with Blue monster sealant and primer do you bought it separately? Do it come clear?
@NealORussa
Ай бұрын
Hey there! The blue monster is sealant you put on threaded connections. The pvc slip connections are glued and you use a clear primer first to clean the pipe and fitting and then you use pvc cement to glue the fittings together and they are not removable. You can buy clear or purple primer so make sure you get clear cause the purple goes everywhere. It is used in hidden commercial applications so that inspectors can see that a joint was primed before gluing.
Very neat work. I read that it is better to store the system indoor in winter to protect it from the elements. It seems your system is sealed. Did you have any issues in einter like corrosion build up on the pump while the pump and filter are kept outside? I live in snowy region.
@NealORussa
2 ай бұрын
Hey thanks for the comment! I unhook all my plumbing for the winter with exception of the clear tube from pump to filter. Otherwise everything comes out. I drain the filter and the pump and leave the drain plugs out. Then I use a Weber grill cover over the pump and filter. It works well and keeps it dry over the winter. We don't get a ton of snow but a lot of sleet and ice.
Hi Neal, again, the check valve I follow the one posted it was 2 inch. I went and other the 2 inch in Amazon. I watch your video again and again and you said the valve ist true 1'1/2. I check Amazon and there is a 1 1/2. Tell me the 2 in is the wrong one right?
@NealORussa
Ай бұрын
I used the 2" check valve for more flow through the check valve mechanism. I used 1.5" to 2" reducer bushings at both the inlet and outlet of the check valve to go from the 1.5" pipe to the 2" check valve. If you want to use the 1.5" check valve that would probably work too.
I would like to do something like this but instead wanted to put at the 6" level just above the liner seam...a thru wall 1.5" return. Like the one that returns to the pool normally. I could keep this plugged with a plug, shut ball valve off to it an hook up vacuum line or whatever....turn ball valve to on and skimmer ball valve to off...and pull 100% of the water from the bottom to vacuum or arrange the ball valves any way I want to accomplish different things. Or, I'm right in the middle of changing to a new liner and wondered if I could place a floor drain where I want to..tunnel over and under the wall near the skimmer and pipe it with 1.5" pvc under there...back it in and then drop new liner over it and cut it out. Would be an installed floor drain where I want it in the above ground pool. What do you think?
@NealORussa
Жыл бұрын
The three way valve I used and linked in the description is better than using 2 ball valves in my opinion. As far as tunneling underneath and putting a center drain in, I don't see any good way to seal it to the liner. It would be possible to cut a hole through the outside wall and install a drain, this was just an easy workaround and didn't require any draining of the pool or cutting of the pool/liner.
Just noticed that your intake screen is for 2" pipe. Is that correct? Isn't everything else 1-1/2" pipe?
@NealORussa
Жыл бұрын
Yes that's correct, the only intake screen i could find was 2". There is a reducer bushing at the screen to reduce from 2" to 1-1/2".
How did you attach the PVC to the skimmer? Also, what fitting did you use to attach the valve to the inlet of the pump?
@NealORussa
4 ай бұрын
My skimmer basket and pump are both threaded with 1.5" npt female. I was able to buy all the plumbing parts at Lowe's
@shawnmyers9583
4 ай бұрын
Ahhhh Dang. Mines not threaded. I think I can use a fernco being it’s not pressurized.
@NealORussa
4 ай бұрын
@@shawnmyers9583 yea on the suction side I agree. Should be able to
What’s the verdict? How did it work? Did it work as good as you thought?
@NealORussa
3 ай бұрын
It works amazing! I hardly vacuumed the pool last season. Highly recommend doing this to any pool without a bottom drain.
How high off the pool floor is the drain? This is going to be my next project
@NealORussa
2 ай бұрын
Hey thanks for the comment! That suction head is probably an inch or so off the bottom. You'll definitely be happy it was a game changer last season! Only had to vacuum a couple times the entire season.
Hey man, great video! I tried to replicate it exactly and it works great. The only issue im having is if i try to put it to 100% bottom drain then theres no water being sucked through the pipe. Its as if it cant get over the railing. Any suggestions?
@NealORussa
Жыл бұрын
Did you start watching at 10:30? That shows how I began to purge the air out by filling up both sides of the pipe over the railing. I believe I remember i had to cycle the valve back and forth between the skimmer and bottom drain a couple times to get it all out but it definitely did as you can see around the 12:30 mark when I switch valve to full bottom drain. If you're still having trouble I could recommend 2 things. One would be to remove the up and over pipe from the bottom drain to the union at the valve, then completely submerge that pipe and fill it with water. Cup your hand over the end that goes to the union and leave the grate in the water. Lift it up and over and quickly remove your hand and connect to the union. Make sure the valve is off to the bottom drain as well. Then you can start pump off the skimmer then switch valve over to bottom drain and it will be a full pipe with little to no air in it. Option 2 would be to add a tee at the top at the railing with a threaded tee and a plug. Remove the plug and fill the up and over pipe with water from a garden hose or bucket scooping from pool. Reinstall plug in tee. Start pump.
@EverythingxAndroid
Жыл бұрын
@@NealORussa I think I was being too impatient lol did as you mentioned and moved the valve back and forth a couple times and all is good now! Thanks 👍
@NealORussa
Жыл бұрын
@@EverythingxAndroid glad to hear it! Good work!
I like the bottom drain ide. But you should patent it
@NealORussa
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for the comment! If I could come up with an easy to install kit that might be a good idea!
What size is ur filter and pump horse power what’s the name of it and what website u get it from
@NealORussa
11 ай бұрын
It's a Hayward pump and filter. Definitey not something I would go cheap on. You want to stay with a name brand where you can get parts for it if you ever need to. amzn.to/3YpccNv
where did you get the bottom drain?
@NealORussa
3 күн бұрын
@@IamScottyT hey thanks for the question! All the parts are listed in the description of this video, but here is the intake screen. It is 2" so you need a bushing to take it down to 1.5" piping. amzn.to/3AILlka
Neal Junior be like "Dude, get on with it already or Imma plunge in this thing regardles...'" 😁Sweet kid. On a serious note, Is that pre-filter enough to filter out all the debris that comes from the bottom drain?
@NealORussa
Жыл бұрын
Haha thank you! I'm hoping she grows up to be a big helper. The filter screen on the end is more so just to stop leaves etc from going into the pump. It has similar hole spacing to the skimmer basket. Some items make it through and get stuck in the pump strainer basket. The pump strainer is easy to clean now when you shut off the 3way valve and have the 1 way check valve. There's no flow allowed so you can remove the pump basket without water pouring everywhere. The bottom drain is mainly there to suck up algae to go into the sand filter and it has been working great! I have barely touched the pool in the last 3 weeks!
hello, please tell me what the lower part of the water inlet is called, I can’t find it, can you send a photo of this part?
@NealORussa
Ай бұрын
Hello! All the major components are listed and linked in the description, but here is the lower intake screen. amzn.to/3AILlka
What I'm wondering is..... Do you have your pool bonded?
@NealORussa
2 ай бұрын
Hey not sure exactly what you're asking but if you mean grounded with a cable and ground rod then no it is not.
What kind of pool is that?
@NealORussa
10 ай бұрын
Really not sure, it was here when i bought the house. I will say it is much more heavy duty and sturdy than newer pool kits i've seen go up lately.
The only problem i see with this is that above ground pool pumps aren't meant to produce suction. The water is gravity fed into the pump. By doing this you are putting unnecessary stress on the pump as its not meant to create suction. And secondary is that all manufacturers do not recommend that you walk, stand on the top rails of a above ground pool 🙄. I know that this video is what you did for yourself but it clearly shows what not to do with a above ground pool.
@jeffreykendrick3545
20 күн бұрын
well now your comment is the only thing i see wrong with the thought process. one yes the sand filters don’t suck as hard as a in-ground system. but that’s apple and oranges. because at the end of the day inground pools have more water to move and suck aka bigger pumps. with the above ground system they have gph rating for a reason. you get a above ground you match it to the correct pump rating. so with that said how’s removing friction and travel length gonna hurt the pump more?. the pumps only gonna pull so much no matter what. now had he went with bigger pipe then yes he would have lost suction power. but seeing as how he used the same diameter pipes as the issued pipes there shouldn’t be on issues on stress relief.
@NealORussa
13 күн бұрын
Been running fine for a few years now.I could argue is actually no suction on the pump because the pump is still located below the pool water level so theres still 3-4' of head pressure of water above the pump. If the pump was located higher than the water level such as up on top of my deck, then yes I agree there would be suction and maybe hard on the pump.
@NealORussa
13 күн бұрын
As far as walking around the edge of the pool, hope I don't fall in!
@evansbj91
Күн бұрын
It creates a siphon. The pump isn’t sucking.
What pool is this? Got link to it?
@NealORussa
Жыл бұрын
The pool was at the house when we bought it in 2016. I installed a new liner and changed the pump and piping but that's about it. I would recommend a permanent style above ground pool with dug-in footings on concrete blocks with hard metal sidewalls. The intex pools with soft sides just won't last. Here is an example of the hard side pools. amzn.to/3MZQFWp
Where can I find the drain itself?
@NealORussa
Жыл бұрын
Hey Jackie thanks for the comment! The valve and intake screen materials are all linked in the video description but link to the intake screen itself is here! amzn.to/3qeIIFi
@jackiealtman3268
Жыл бұрын
Thanks so much.
I livenear Albamy ny I am 73 I woul lime to hire someone to set up my pool
@NealORussa
Жыл бұрын
Hmm I'm a bit far from you to help but you might try looking for a local pool supply store for suggestions on installers
Interesting fact, the more restriction you add to the pump the LESS it has to work.. If you don't believe me, add a watt meter to it and then close off the valve. Wattage will go down not up.
@NealORussa
Жыл бұрын
Hmm, might have to test that. Seems counterintuitive. Thanks for the comment!
@maykevin5
Жыл бұрын
@@NealORussa Same thing with HVAC blowers. The more stopped up the filter is, the less the motor works.
I just throw my hose with vacuum thing on
@NealORussa
Күн бұрын
@@yesidrive yes that works, but I'm tired of messing with the pump and getting the hose out and purging the air and doing everything to get that going. This is always running and easy to turn a valve to go all bottom or half bottom half skimmer. Has been working great!
I bet if you put a floater board in the pool, you'd stop collecting dead insects, or a pool noodle with a ramp on both ends. Better they live and pollinate the planet.
I want to know if it works
@NealORussa
Жыл бұрын
Yes it works great. This was late toward the end of last year but looking forward to opening this summer. I could definitely tell less stress on the pump pushing through the smooth solid pipe vs the corrugated hoses. As far as the bottom drain I think it will be a big help with pollen and other light materials that sink to the bottom.
@chancetolbert4852
Жыл бұрын
@@NealORussa yep and brush more than having to vacuum
would installing another pump a smaller one be a benefit for the bottom drain be beneficial?
@NealORussa
2 ай бұрын
I don't think another pump is required. The one pump has plenty of power to suck from both. Not sure how you'd plumb two pumps into one filter but I guess it could be done with a tee and some check valves.