Quote Originally Posted by windfix View Post
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)
I have never seen water go into my bottom drain either but I know it does. Why would you expect to "see" water move at the bottom of the pool? Unless there is dirt or leaves near it, you will probably not see any movement at all.

If you really want to see if the bottom drain is working, you can place a plastic bag grocery bag near the drain (put the bag handle around a pole brush so you can pull it back out) and see if it gets sucked to the top of ithe drain. If the water was warmer, you can also use a small amount of food coloring to see if it moves in the drain.

As for the ports in the skimmer, you are correct. One goes to the pump and the other to the bottom drain. The flap is to adjust the water flow from the main drain but I would leave it all the way open.