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View Full Version : Replacing broken main drain cover



kelemvor
04-08-2012, 02:35 PM
Sooo.. I jumped in my pool yesterday and landed footfirst on top of one of the main drains.. foot went straight through the drain cover. :( I stopped by the pool store to see if they had a replacement and they told me the type I have is now illegal and I would probably have to get some universal. They didn't even have one in stock and couldn't find one in their catalogs they thought would fit.

The drain cover is a cantar, there are two screw holes that are exactly 6.5" apart from the center of each hole. The diameter of the whole cover is exactly 7".

I can find the exact covers for sale on the net, but if they're illegal then I'd rather do the right thing if I can. I really don't want to drain to do it, and I doubt I can hold my breath long enough to get it done. Is there a trick to replacing a main drain cover? Poolstore suggested their pool service guy would do it with some scuba gear.

So, my questions are:

1. Where can I find an appropriate replacement drain cover?
2. How should I go about replacing the thing?

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5194/6911579476_d16a03487f_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/14865808@N00/6911579476/sizes/l/in/photostream/)

waste
04-09-2012, 08:21 PM
SCUBA gear definitely helps! However, I believe that you ought be 'grandfathered' on the illegality of your old cover. (even if you're not, the compliant covers fit the older drains)

Replacing the cover is very simple, all it is are the 2 screws that need to be removed, so you can get the rest of the old cover off and then reinstall them on the new cover. With SCUBA gear, it'd take < 5 min., without, you're probably looking at 20 min, (depending on the water temp and how long you can hold your breath.:)