How to Connect a Center Drain in a Pool

Laying the Drain

• 1

  Locate the lowest lying area in the ground beneath the pool, or area prepared for pool installation. If the area sits completely level, create a slight dip in the center of the area with a shovel.

• 2

  Dig a hole in center of the pool area or other low-lying area. Make the hole deep enough to fit the center drain assembly while allowing the top of the drain to protrude slightly from the earth. Base the depth of the hole on specifications provided by the installation manual.

• 3

  Assemble the collection pipe, a piece of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe that extends from the bottom of the center drain. Screw the pipe into the opening at the bottom of the drain.

• 4

  Screw a drain plug into the opening at the bottom of the collection pipe.

• 5

  Dig a trench about 6 inches wide that extends from the hole dug for the drain past the edge of the area reserved for pool installation and to the pool pump.

• 6

  Place the drain in the hole, orienting it vertically so the collection pipe goes into the earth at the bottom of the hole and the top of the drain sticks up slightly from the top of the hole. Orient the hole on the side of the drain so it faces the trench.

Connecting the Pipe

• 7

  Apply waterproof sealant to the threads at the end of a 1½-inch length of PVC pipe.

• 8

  Attach the length of PVC pipe to the opening leading out of the side of the center drain by screwing the sealant covered thread into the opening.

• 9

  Place dirt in the trench so it extends from the bottom of the trench to the bottom of the pipe. The dirt should support the pipe.

• 10

  Fill in the length of the trench with an equal amount of dirt to create a bed in the trench on which to lay subsequent lengths of pipe, using a shovel.

• 11

  Continue attaching PVC pipe to the first length installed, using the same method, until the pipe reaches the end of the trench.

• 12

  Install an elbow fitting at the end of the last length of PVC pipe so the curve of the elbow goes upward, toward the pool pump. The fitting connects to the pipe in the same way the pipe lengths connect to one another.

• 13

  Attach enough pipe to extend from the elbow fitting to the three-way valve attached to the pool pump. Screw the end of the last length of pipe into the three-way valve to connect the center drain to the pump.

• 14

  Wrap all the pipe joints with Teflon tape to protect them from the dirt around them.

• 15

  Fill in the rest of the trench with dirt, using a shovel. Pack the top of the trench down with the shovel.

• 16

  Fill in the hole around the center drain with earth, using the shovel.

Finishing

• 17

  Put the pool back on top of the area reserved for pool installation.

• 18

  Locate the top of the drain. Cut a hole in the pool liner and bottom of the pool with a utility knife to expose the center drain. Use a saw to cut through the bottom of the pool if a utility knife is insufficient.

• 19

  Pull the top of the center drain through the bottom of the pool and the pool liner.

• 20

  Install the top portion of the center drain, following manufacturer's instructions provided in the installation manual. Use a screwdriver to screw the top grate of the drain in place. The top assembly of the drain should be big enough to cover the hole cut in the pool lining for drain installation.

• 21

  Apply waterproof sealant around the drain to prevent water from leaking through the hole cut in the liner.