Without a clean pool deck drain, water can collect on your deck, patio, steps, and other areas around your pool. This is a hazard that can cause people walking around your pool area to slip and fall. Adequate drain systems around pool decks are important for many reasons, chief among them being the safety of people who live in and visit your home.
Although, having an adequate drainage system in place isn’t enough; you need to ensure your deck drains are cleaned regularly to prevent buildup that can block their flow. Here’s what you need to know about cleaning your deck drains and how to find the best drainage system for your pool setup if you don’t already have one.
WHAT IS A SWIMMING POOL DECK DRAIN?
A pool deck drain is a specially designed drain channel that fits into the flooring of your deck. Deck drains are often used with flooring that doesn’t naturally have good drainage, such as concrete or tile; you won’t typically see a drain on a wooden pool deck unless the slats are very close together. Deck drains are often rectangular in shape, and installed around the perimeter of the pool. Ideally, the area where the drain is installed is recessed, allowing gravity to encourage standing water to flow down the drain instead of collecting on the surface of the deck.
HOW DOES A POOL DECK DRAIN GET CLOGGED?
Like any drain, a pool deck drain has the potential to become clogged with debris from the pool, such as leaves, insects, and even small pool toys. Some pool deck drain designs allow for easier cleaning than others, and small, single-piece drains tend to get clogged more easily than other types of drains.
HOW TO KEEP A CLEAN POOL DECK DRAIN
Cleaning your pool deck drain isn’t as complicated as you may think. Follow these steps to ensure your deck drain is cleaned properly:
STEP 1:
Locate the deck drain, which should be found on top of the deck surrounding the pool’s outer perimeter. Pull up the grate covering it and remove it. Screwdriver may be required.
STEP 2
Remove debris, leaves, and waste stuck inside the drain, especially any debris at the bottom of the drain. Place waste in garbage.
STEP 3
Place a sump pump into a bucket. Position the bucket in an area below the pool drain. Fill the bucket with water, submerging the pump.
STEP 4
Place the intake tube of the pump into the deck drain and place the output tube in the location you’d like the water to be drained.
STEP 5
Plug the sump pump into an outlet, and turn it on. Once there’s no longer water in the deck drain, turn the pump off and remove it.
STEP 6
Place the cover back onto the deck drain, reinserting screws if necessary.
DON’T HAVE A POOL DECK DRAIN? FRANK WALL CAN HELP.
If you don’t have a deck drain, you’re at a higher risk for slipping and falling in stagnant water around your pool. A clean pool deck drain is an important part of every home’s pool safety system. At Frank Wall Enterprises, we offer a wide variety of pool deck drains to choose from, including both single-piece drains and drains with removable tops. Our experienced staff will be happy to help discuss your existing or planned pool area and what deck drainage systems would be the best fit for your needs. Contact us today at (800) 488-9146 for more information.