I bought a Cyclone Blower to do my own closing. My pool has an 8 foot deep end with a Main Drain. I’ve pretty much figured out how to blow the skimmer and return lines. Once I’ve blown those lines and plugged my skimmers and returns, that will leave me with a nice little geyser coming up from my drain…. What then? I can’t plug my drain like I can with the skimmers.
1st Time Closing - What about the Main Drain?
- Thread starter Tomolena
- Start date
kywildcats
Bronze Supporter
You close the main drain valve while air is still coming out, and it airlocks the pipe.
You don't need any AF in the main drain line. You will get most of the water out when you blow the line and any left will be so far below frost line it wouldn't freeze anyway.
Stealing this thread, as I am in the same boat... will be the first time i try to close it...
I am contemplating between air compressor or Shop Vac... What kind of fitting do you use for a Air compressor. may try both, but i have little nozzles for it, and a 1 1/2 inch pvc pipe to blow out? Shop vac will fit it, but some say that may not be enough power?
I am contemplating between air compressor or Shop Vac... What kind of fitting do you use for a Air compressor. may try both, but i have little nozzles for it, and a 1 1/2 inch pvc pipe to blow out? Shop vac will fit it, but some say that may not be enough power?
You need the standard air fitting with 3/8 threads. It's the same threads as the drain screws on your pump and I bet on your sand filter. I second the compressor, the shop vac may struggle with the main drain.
I got that, but the hole on the end of it is tiny with the handle to push to let the air out... but does it work?... or does it need to be open ended 3/8 inch hole so it blows more air?
The attachment that screws into the pump is 3/8 and the other end is smaller in diameter. Then the fitting that's on your air hose snaps onto the fitting you screwed into the pump. Clear as mud? Same principle as an air hose at a gas station.
I add anti-freeze to the main drain line, wouldn't trust the shut off valve to be air tight. You guys may have higher quality valves than are on my pool.
Air lock and expandable rubber plug when the pumps removed does the trick. I don't trust those valves either although I never had a problem with them before.
I got those parts as well as the hand held blower thing. I am good to go 
of course my pump is hard plumbed to the pipes... so i will be blowing through that...
of course my pump is hard plumbed to the pipes... so i will be blowing through that...I got those parts as well as the hand held blower thing. I am good to go
Your shop vac would probably blow the skimmers, may even do a better job than a compressor due to it has more volume. But I bet you would need the compressor to do the main drain. You could use both and see what works best for you.