Deck drain provides a 2"X4" channel to carry excess water from your pool deck. Typically, dust and pollen builds up on your screen enclosure and rainfall knocks it onto the deck. As water washes into the drain, the dirt goes with it.

Given sufficient drainage, deck drain is self-cleaning. It will flush itself with every rain storm.

It's when one or both ends of this channel is stoppered with concrete, sod or top soil that this natural flow of water is disrupted and dirt plugs it up.

To clean deck drain, start by exposing one end of the channel. You'll need a piece of cheap, flexible 1/2" hose with the metal end removed that is at least as long as as the drain.

Turn the hose on to about half-flow and feed it slowly into the drain.

If slope outside the deck does not allow quick drainage of this water, it may be necessary to employ a water pump.

hspace="6"

Place a sump or small aquarium pump into a 3- 5 gal. bucket.

Dig a hole deep enough to bring the top of the bucket level with the bottom of the drain. Run the vent hose to a convenient, lower area.

If the installation is to be permanent, fill the bucket with gravel to prevent mud from clogging the pump and the hose can be replaced with PVC pipe which can be buried in the ground.

Related articles on the Pool School PRO CD. include Repairing Broken Drain, Installing Drain and Installing Dry Wells