I have a 38x18 pool that was constructed in '56 and I bought the house last year. I have never seen water go into the botton drain, only through the skimmer. I have also never attempted to drain the pool. My skimmer has two openings under the basket with a swiveling flap that can cover one or the other. One of these goes direct to the pump, and I can attach the vaccuum to it for successful cleaning.

1. What is the other opening? Does it go to the bottom drain?

2. Should I be concerned that no water gets drawn into that drain? And if so, how can I unclog it?

(Proudly, I HAVE figured out the rest of the system on my own - including replacing the freaking chlorinator system with a new one)