Posted by Nick Thompson on November 11, 2008 at 4:30pm
Some of you guys might have been on my page and saw this pic of one or our projects. Well, Ray asked me to tell the real story behind it. For those of you who know Ray, he along with a number of other great members of this network are big advocates of the "no main drains" movement. Well, Ray was in town, and we took him to visit this pool. As many of you have commented, and it is greatly appreciated, he also thought this pool was very good looking. However, due to the many live oaks around the property, there is a heavy leaf load in the pool. Ray felt this was a perfect oppurtunity to do an experiment (as it always is w/ Ray). Now, please don't get me wrong, the circulation in this pool was fine, just like the pools we all build everyday. However, Ray turned off the main drains, we redirected the returns, and BOOM, you could litteraly see the movement of the leaves on the top of the pool turn and get directed right toward the skimmer. It was amazing! Ray's experiment took a pool w/ good circulation to great w/out the main drains! I asked him about debris that didn't get caught by the skimmers, that would be at the bottom of the pool, he kindof got frustrated w/ me and asked me "are you paying attention?" The leaves that were falling into the pool during the course of the expereiment where going into the skimmer before they had a chance to sink, it was great! So if you guys are one of the people questioning it before you get to see it w/ your own eyes, well is was the same way, and take it from me, IT WORKS!
I have heard this argument in centrlal Texas before but haven't built one without drains yet. I service about 50 a week and have some old pools with the drains plugged due to leaks and really don't have diffferent issues with them than the pools with drains. I do like to design with large suction 2.5" at least to reduce water velocity. Are the skimmers equiped for this. I don't know Ray but does he, or anyone else, offer guidelines for skimmer and jet placement to enhance the water quality san drains? Thanks
I met Ray in 2001. I started building pools without bottom drains in 2002 and have done so ever since. I use more than the "standard" number of return fittings and I place them strategically, based on design. I use at least two skimmers and I normally use at least 2-speed pumps. In today's economy, our customers really appreciate that we care about their safety, maintenance, and operating cost - everyone wins. The only time we use drains is when we have to - attached elevated spas for example, but most of what we build is drainless - our pools are cleaner, circulate and sanitize better, and stay cleaner. It's a no brainer for us.
One of the best things to happen to swimming pools, removing main drains from the design. I was installing pools without maindrains 10 years ago to fantastic results. This is a topic that needs much more attention. I am very glad you brought it up, great job!!
We had a very nice couple stop in our store this fall from Canada. They were relocating to our area and wanted a pool. The first requirement she had was "no main drain". So I said sure, no problem; then I went and researched that opportunity. We experienced the same thing as mentioned above, and we now have our eyes opend.
The cleaner we use is the Letro Platinium, but we did not have an issue w/ the cleaner, everything worked really good over there, but it was exceptional while running Ray's "little experiment"
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The cleaner we use is the Letro Platinium, but we did not have an issue w/ the cleaner, everything worked really good over there, but it was exceptional while running Ray's "little experiment"