Closing Pool in Cleveland Ohio

[$teveMoney]

-25K gallon
-In ground
-Vinyl liner
-Raypak heater
-Hayward Cartridge Filter
-1 skimmer, 1 drain
-2 return jets
-Cyclone blower (3hp)
-Automatic rolling cover

Hello all - I need some sanity checks like everyone else on closing my pool. Mainly looking for advice on -where- to blow out, sequencing, and antifreeze tips. I’m generally confused if I should blow toward pad, or toward pool.

So, here’s my questions.

1) Position (1) on picture - can I hook my cyclone up here (open pump cover, and stick hose here) to blow out the drain and skimmer?
2) Should I close skimmer valve first, to try and airlock drain first?
3) Then blowout skimmer, insert gizmo, and add antifreeze from this position (1)?
4) For return jets, should I blow them out after the filter (position (2) on picture, or after the heater (position (4))? Or do this from the actual return jets?
5) Should I turn off gas line to heater? Just purchased the house this last winter and they left it on all winter.
6) Add antifreeze to return jets from position 4?
7) Do I need antifreeze at all? If I add it, do I need to be mindful to suck it out and not let it mix in the pool at opening?

 

[Newdude]

Let's try doing the whole shebang because you have a cyclone. Turn the valves for the 2 returns to off and blow until you see bubbles out the main drain. Hold the cyclone hose directly into your skimmer pipe.

Then close the drain valve while still blowing to air lock it. (Requires help to be in both places) Then open the return lines one at a time to blow them out.

Add 1/2 gallon to a gallon of RV antifreeze to each line (except the main drain, it will ooze out uncapped at the bottom of the pool)

Cap the returns and gizmo the skimmers. Cut up a pool noodle and fill the skimmer and mouth tight for extra insurance.

Remove all the drain plugs from the equipment and store in pump basket.

Turn off gas.

 

[$teveMoney]

Let's try doing the whole shebang because you have a cyclone. Turn the valves for the 2 returns to off and blow until you see bubbles out the main drain. Hold the cyclone hose directly into your skimmer pipe.

Then close the drain valve while still blowing to air lock it. (Requires help to be in both places) Then open the return lines one at a time to blow them out.

Add 1/2 gallon to a gallon of RV antifreeze to each line (except the main drain, it will ooze out uncapped at the bottom of the pool)

Cap the returns and gizmo the skimmers. Cut up a pool noodle and fill the skimmer and mouth tight for extra insurance.

Remove all the drain plugs from the equipment and store in pump basket.

Turn off gas.

Thank you so much for the detailed reply.

So you recommend doing all the blowing poolside, from the skimmer? Got it.

When you say add the antifreeze to each line, I assume you mean into the skimmer, and into the return lines? (Accessed after the heater)?

 

[Newdude]

So you recommend doing all the blowing poolside, from the skimmer? Got it

It will probably work with such a beefy blower. Try it the easiest way possible first. If it doesn't work, we'll try it the more involved way.

When you say add the antifreeze to each line, I assume you mean into the skimmer, and into the return lines? (Accessed after the heater)?

The skimmers can go right down the skimmer pipe at the pool. The returns can go from the equipment pad, or in the returns themselves. I tape a short piece of garden hose to a funnel to add it at the pool. Or use a bendy funnel.

 

[$teveMoney]

It will probably work with such a beefy blower. Try it the easiest way possible first. If it doesn't work, we'll try it the more involved way.


The skimmers can go right down the skimmer pipe at the pool. The returns can go from the equipment pad, or in the returns themselves. I tape a short piece of garden hose to a funnel to add it at the pool. Or use a bendy funnel.

Working great! Thank you.

Couple more questions:

Should I close all valves to returns, from skimmer, etc? When I opened the pool, only the drain valve was shut and the rest were open.

Was I supposed to blow with the heater/filter caps off?

 

[Newdude]

Should I close all valves to returns, from skimmer, etc?

None of those matter one way or the other. The main drain needs to be airlocked so deep end water doesn't whoosh back up the pipe. The other pipes are capped.

Was I supposed to blow with the heater/filter caps off?

For pressure purposes, it's better to have the system as sealed as possible and drain whatever is left after.