Who's knowledgeable about swimming pools?

Fstbttms · #1 (**permalink**) 02-21-2009

Not my usual line of work, but I bid on, and won, a one-time gig replacing swimming pool drain covers for a chain of apartment properties here in the Bay Area. I guess the law in California (maybe nationwide, I don't know) now stipulates that swimming pools must be equipped with a new variety of drain cover that helps eliminate the possibility of swimmers being sucked into them.

My question is this; is it one-size-fits-all or is there any likelihood that I will run into pools with odd-sized drains? The owner is going to supply the drain covers but they are probably as ignorant about this as I am. Thanks.

bljones · #2 (**permalink**) 02-21-2009

Drains are just like thru-hulls on a boat- there are only a few manufacturers, like Hayward, and most build to common sizes to fit standardized plumbing fittings. However, also just like thru-hulls, the standard size has changed from year to year- if you are dealing primarily with pre-fab drop-in pools from known manufacturers, you will likely find a lot of standardization. if, on the other hand you are dealing with poured-in-place, then you are gonna be doing some measuring and figuring. Start here:

Approved Anti-Entrapment Drain Covers and Approved Safety Vacuum Release Systems for Swimming Pools and Spas

(I have no commercial connection to the company mentioned, just experience with the ubiquity of their products in the past.)

Fstbttms · #3 (**permalink**) 02-21-2009

Thanks for the link. Good info there.

sailaway21 · #4 (**permalink**) 02-21-2009

I'd suspect that you're going to be dealing with older concrete pools and that your larger issue will be the removal of the cover screws. Some are stainless and some of the older ones are bronze or brass. There may even be.....well, let's just not go there. Once the screw breaks off, you're going to have to be prepared to drill it out.

Fortunately most regions will have a swimming pool wholesale supply house that should have what you'll need. Sta-Rite and Hayward are likely to be the most common covers encountered. Both companies make pumps, filters, and other specialized swimming pool equipment. Most of the commercial pools seem to have a square cover while residential are usually round, unless they aren't. I believe the new covers are called anti-vortex covers or something like that.

Edit: Fortunately, if the screws all break off, it might be easier to just drill and set new anchors for the screws...a bit more bottom time, but doable in concrete fairly easily.

Fstbttms · #5 (**permalink**) 02-21-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailaway21

Fortunately, if the screws all break off, it might be easier to just drill and set new anchors for the screws...a bit more bottom time, but doable in concrete fairly easily.

I've done one of these before for a hull cleaning client who had to bring his pool up to code before selling his house. In that situation, the screws were set into the plastic mouth of the drain. I was assuming that all these pools would be the same. But that's what I get for assuming.

What I'm hoping is that if there are any broken screws, I'll be able to back them out with a pair of Vice Grips or the like, after taking (or breaking) off the old cover. Drilling new screw holes in concrete was not included in my bid!

sailaway21 · #6 (**permalink**) 02-21-2009

And the older sumps and covers may not be plastic..which might not hurt in this case. You might need one of those exothermic tools the Navy has to heat the broken screws up to get them out. I think they're under $500,000 at your Army/Navy surplus dealer.

artbyjody · #7 (**permalink**) 02-21-2009

Fstbttms: This was a huge National news story back in Jan. I would talk to the local YMCA (as that is where this whole issue originated: Link ->

Pool & Spa Entrapment

New pool policies drain out hazards

Pool drain safety covers required today, but supply is backlogged - Sacramento Politics - California Politics | Sacramento Bee

Think twice if you are not sure - your local YMCA will have the specifics as what is required..

Bene505 · #8 (**permalink**) 02-21-2009

We have pools on the east coast too. If you take this art on the road, we'll expect you to go for a sail and have a beer or two with us.

scottyt · #9 (**permalink**) 02-22-2009

i used to wire them, but dont know much except the electric end and the lights. you might want to invest in an air drill, buy a cheap one it wont last long but at least you can drill with them under water. also get some screw extractors like they sell on tv.

nothing personal here but i hope they are paying you hourly if its a bid job run far away. working in filled pools for things like what you are doing is a real bitch. heck i have had it take me anywhere from 1 min to 2 hours just to get a light out of the niche and thats one screw, no way to tell till you try

sailingdog · #10 (**permalink**) 02-22-2009

You do know that you can generally drain pools...

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottyt

i used to wire them, but dont know much except the electric end and the lights. you might want to invest in an air drill, buy a cheap one it wont last long but at least you can drill with them under water. also get some screw extractors like they sell on tv.

nothing personal here but i hope they are paying you hourly if its a bid job run far away. working in filled pools for things like what you are doing is a real bitch. heck i have had it take me anywhere from 1 min to 2 hours just to get a light out of the niche and thats one screw, no way to tell till you try