Frequently Asked Questions

Question:
We have several Sylvan/Anthony pools that have broken or missing screw tabs in the main drain pots. Is there any other way of securing new anti-entrapment covers without draining the pool or using an underwater drill to drill into the shell and install shields to secure the grate properly?

Answer:
There is no easy solution. The best and only alternative is to use our BIK4 (brass insert/anchor kit) with either our 1216xxx, 914xxx, or 10AVRCFRxxx suction outlet covers. Use a 5/16" masonry drill bit and epoxy such as AquaBond to anchor the brass inserts into the pool finish. Then using the supplied screws in the outside holes on the grates you would screw into the inserts to secure the grates over the existing sump.

Question:
We just purchased 2 - RWAV12101 Drain covers. Our local inspector is asking for a Certificate of Compliance. The only thing we seen in the packet was installation instructions. Can you provide this? Thanks! Danny

Answer:
Our VGB 2008 Certificate of Compliance is available for download from our website under News & Information in the Laws & Testing section.

Question:
Is the frame included in part 8AVxxx the same as Part# HCxxx or DSxxx? If not, does HCxxx or DSxxx need to be mudded in?

Answer:
The frames are not exactly the same. The 8AVxxx comes with a frame that has to be mudded into the pool finish and is not made to be screwed into an existing sump/frame. The HCxxx is made to screw into existing Hayward(r) sump buckets to convert to using any of our 8" suction outlets. The DSxxx is made to screw into existing Pentair(r) sump buckets to convert to using any of our 8" suction outlets.

Question:
I would like to request a copy of your warranty/guarantee on the AquaStar WAV18101, 18x18 square frame with 4 9x9 'wave" Anti-entrapment suction outlet covers Thanks

Answer:
The last page of our catalog, in terms and conditions, shows our warranty. We warrant our products free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of three years from the date of original installation and recommend replacement every five years.

Question:
When will you have a sumpless 1216xx cover? (16x16 that fits a 12x12) and what is the sump depth on it now?

Answer:
We do not yet have a sumpless 1216xxx but we are retesting it right now for that application. Currently our required sump depth is 3" for our 1216xxx.

Question:
If you install a maindrain on a pool wall, whats the min. depth from water line to top of maindrain cover?

Answer:
The minimum depth from the water line to the top of the suction outlet cover is 12". However, be sure to never install a suction outlet on a seat or stairs where people will use as a chair or back rest.

Question:
What type of glue and procedure for gluing elongated main drains. Having a problem with pipe blowing out, presently using blue glue and no primer on drain body.

Answer:
Our channel drain sumps are manufactured with ABS. Use only transitional (typically green) glues when attaching PVC pipe to ABS fittings. Use gray medium set glue when attaching PVC pipe to our PVC based skimmers and double deep sump buckets. In both cases do not ever use blue glue or related hot glues, clear glues or any fast setting cement.

Question:
What is the life expectancy for the 32" Channel drain model# 32CDFLFR?

Answer:
All of our suction outlet covers must be replaced every 5 years.

Question:
Is the Aquastar 12"x12" wave made of PVC or metal?

Answer:
Neither, it is made of superior UV-resistant engineered polymers.

Question:
Wade, We spoke on the phone a couple months ago about special requirements of sump depth in my county. You mentioned a 0" product that was in testing and would soon be ready. Could you update me on this? Thanks, love your innovation!!

Answer:
Our new sumpless line of suction outlet covers are now available. See our catalog for the 6HPxxx and 4HPxxx.

Question:
I am interested in putting pictures of your grates on my website since I sell them. Can you send me some pictures so that my website can look polished?

Answer:
We have a secure FTP site that includes CAD drawings, pdf engineering drawings and digital images of all of our VGB Series. Please contact us by phone or email for more information.

Question:
Are the wav9 and wav12 considered unblockable?

Answer:
To be considered unblockable the suction outlet must be at least 18"x23" or 31" x3", so no our WAV9, 9"x9", and WAV12, 12"x12", are not considered unblockable.

Question:
We have a single drain, small ,apartment pool in San Diego County. Do you make any VGB approved drain covers that can be installed without draining the pool and creating two separate drains?

Answer:
Our single, unblockable, channel drains can be installed underwater by a pool and spa professional. Because of its size it does not require two drains or an SVRS (safety vacuum release system). You can view an example of this installation in the underwater retrofit video under news and information on this website.

Question:
May I install a Wave frame and grate over a hayward 8" pot?

Answer:
Our 9" and 12" square frame and grate are not made to retrofit to a Hayward 8" pot.

Question:
WHAT IS THE OPEN AREA OF YOUR 9X9 AND 12X12 DRAINS -VGB COMPLIANT

Answer:
You can view the square inches of opening for all of our suction outlet covers on the VGB 2008 compliant products page of this website.

Question:
Do you carry suction covers that are smaller than the 8". I'am looking for a 7 or 8 inch cover with the screw holes that are 6&3/4" inches apart.

Answer:
Our 1DAVRCFRXXX was designed to retrofit to most 7" and 8" existing frames and sumps using the sliders included in the accompanying screw kit.

Question:
I read a press release about a non-compliant drain trade-in/buyback program. Where can I get details on what to do or where to send them properly?

Answer:
Our eco-friendly non-compliant drain buyback program ended June 30, 2009 and was a huge success! We were able to replace and recycle tens of thousands of non-compliant drains with our safe VGB Series compliant drains.

Question:
Do you have CAD drawings of your VGB drains that I can include in my drawings for my customers?

Answer:
We have a secure FTP site up that will includes CAD drawings, pdf engineering drawings and digital images of all of our VGB Series. Please contact us by phone or email for more information.

Question:
Will you make a frame that is 12" x 24" that will use 2 12" x 12" VGB series suction outlets? You already make a 4 panel frame.

Answer:
Yes, we have one in testing but it is still a few months off.

Question:
I have to upgrade my product line trying to comply with new ANSI/ASME and VGB rules. It is my intention to use your 9" x 9" Square Retrofit “Wave” Anti-Entrapment Suction Outlet Cover installed on tub floor as single suction. Pump flow rate is 30 mc/h (135 gpm) and I have a prefab pit designed according to your specs (3" distance between grate and 21/2" suction pipe). I see from your specs that this cover is certified as single suction. My question is : Is the grate considered unblokable?? if I use it as only suction without any additional safety system such as SVRS, will my product conform to new US rules above mentioned?

Answer:
To be considered unblockable the suction outlet must be at least 18"x23" or 31"x3", so no our 9"x9" is not considered unblockable. You will have to either split the line into two suction outlets 3 feet apart from center, install an SVRS, or install one of our "single, unblockable" 32" channel drains.

Question:

How deep does a field fabricated sump need to be?

Answer:

Going to section “2.3.4 Submerged Suction Outlets” of the ASME A112.19.8 – 2007 Standard, quote “Submerged suction outlets are manufactured cover/grate assemblies that may or may not connect directly to the circulation piping must have either the manufacturer’s recommended sump…, or a field built sump of the design specified by the manufacturer… Alternatively, a sump built in accordance with Figure 2 shall be permitted.”

“Figure 2” shows the needed distance between the top of the pipe to the bottom of the grate to be 1 ½ times the diameter of the pipe. This is a “default setting”. This is to be used when a manufacturer has not called out the specs for a sump underneath their respective cover. Keep in mind that “Installation Instructions” are required for compliancy with the ASME Test’s Standard and should call out the required depth per the manufacturer.

AquaStar requires a minimum of 3 inches of sump depth underneath all of our covers including 12x12’s and the 32 inch channel drains – Regardless of pipe size! In fact, the bigger, the better.

Why does AquaStar call out 3" in sump depth?  Because we tested to that sump depth, so our listed flow rates are to that depth.  In fact, we also tested to shallower sump depths, which resulted in lower flow rates.

The key here is that you don’t exceed the maximum GPM ratings for our respective covers.