Main drain... Do I really want one with my new Inyo liner installation?

[duraleigh]

MG,

The trend in residential pools is probably away from using main drains.

I chose not to have one but my pool is only 6' deep. I see more advantage with a drain in a deeper pool.

I agree with you that the installation of one is a potential source of problems. That said, If I had a pool with one already in it, I would certainly keep it. They have some advantages.

There doesn't seem to be any clear advantage from one vinyl manufacturer to another.

[CarlD]

Is he saying you need 2? That's the newest safety technique so someone can't be held down by suction--the other acts as a vacuum break.

Is your deep end deep? Then you might need it, but not if the pool is shallow. They also can interfere with robotic auto cleaners.

[cleancloths]

The main drain helps circulate water faster which means you get more even temperatures in the pool quicker when you turn the pump on. If you have a text book perfect design you can probably do without it, but in the real world things are never text book perfect and you will have a better pool with one.

[MG McAnick]

The pool is eight feet at its deepest.

[duraleigh]

If you have been happy with your pool for 16+ years, I would be quite reluctant to change it. "if it ain't broke.........."

[Poconos]

My IG is 8' deep or so, without MD, and dirt settles there anyhow so I just vacuum it up. Personally I wouldn't have a main drain. There have been threads about many problems with them not only from the leak issues but the buried piping. It's also a more complicated process to winterize if that's an issue.
Just my quarters worth.
Al

[imfignewton]

Interesting article on pool main drains.

www.fluent.com/news/pr/pr130.htm