Help with closing pool waterfall

[Fedorafan]

I think I’ve fully understood the suction side now, but I’m still a bit confused about your instructions for the return side.

In the first paragraph, you mention, “plug all but one return farthest from the pad…,” and then in the next paragraph, “plug all the returns and open the heater drain…”
Just to confirm, these are the exact same thing, and I need to do it twice to ensure all the water is cleared? (I’m a bit concerned that there might be something other than the drain ports that need to be plugged from your first paragraph.)

Also, regarding my earlier question: in last step, when all the drain plugs are removed, won’t the air in the pipes escape and allow water to flow back into the return and robot lines, since there’s no valve to close off those pipes?

My filter is an old Sta-Rite System 3 cartridge filter. It has a drain port near the bottom side.

Move to the return side. Plug all but one return farthest from the pad. Start the cyclone and let it blow. When all the water has evacuated that return, unplug the next closer return, and plug the farther one. Let the cyclone blow the entire time. Once this return is dry, unplug the next closest and plug the previous one. Keep repeating until all returns are dry. For good measure after the closest return is dry, I go back to the farthest and unplug it, plug the closest and let it blow a little more.

For good measure once all the returns are dry, you can plug all the returns and open the heater drain and blow it. Then the filter drain. Remove all drain plugs from all equipment and leave them open.

What is your filter setup? Carts with a drain valve with the lay flat hose attached to the drain?

 

[Lake Placid]

In the first paragraph, you mention, “plug all but one return farthest from the pad…,” and then in the next paragraph, “plug all the returns and open the heater drain…”
Just to confirm, these are the exact same thing, and I need to do it twice to ensure all the water is cleared? (I’m a bit concerned that there might be something other than the drain ports that need to be plugged from your first paragraph.)

Nope you’ve got it. I’m just very particular….you’ve likely blown all the water out in the previous step, but I pull the plug when the lines are cleared just in case. Is it necessary, probably not….do I sleep better yes.

Also, regarding my earlier question: in last step, when all the drain plugs are removed, won’t the air in the pipes escape and allow water to flow back into the return and robot lines, since there’s no valve to close off those pipes?

No. You’ll keep the cyclone blowing and the pressure from it will prevent any water from infiltrating the line. In addition as you plug and blow each line, the Polaris line will have its water evacuated in sequence.

My filter is an old Sta-Rite System 3 cartridge filter. It has a drain port near the bottom side.

When you blow everything, pull the lay flat hose in the beginning, and when you finish leave the drain valve open. Pull the pressure gauge as well.

 

[Fedorafan]

Nope you’ve got it. I’m just very particular….you’ve likely blown all the water out in the previous step, but I pull the plug when the lines are cleared just in case. Is it necessary, probably not….do I sleep better yes.

go it!

No. You’ll keep the cyclone blowing and the pressure from it will prevent any water from infiltrating the line. In addition as you plug and blow each line, the Polaris line will have its water evacuated in sequence.

For some reason, I still don’t fully understand this part. Let’s say I’ve blown all the water clear and then stopped the cyclone. If I unplug all the drain plugs, won’t the air in the pipes leak out through the open drain ports? And as a result, wouldn’t water flow back into the return and robot lines since there’s no valve to close off those pipes? Does my logic make sense here or am i missing something?

 

[Lake Placid]

go it!



For some reason, I still don’t fully understand this part. Let’s say I’ve blown all the water clear and then stopped the cyclone. If I unplug all the drain plugs, won’t the air in the pipes leak out through the open drain ports? And as a result, wouldn’t water flow back into the return and robot lines since there’s no valve to close off those pipes? Does my logic make sense here or am i missing something?

No water should siphon back…..you are pumping the water down below the returns prior to closing, yes? If not you should be using bungee plugs.

 

[Fedorafan]

No water should siphon back…..you are pumping the water down below the returns prior to closing, yes? If not you should be using bungee plugs.

Correct, I’ll lower the water level below the return port before closing.

Ah, now I understand what caused my confusion! My pool floor has two main drain ports, and I was told that one is for water to flow in and the other for water to flow out. But I guess that’s NOT the case—they both pull water into the pump!

Voilà, now I totally get it!

Thank you so much! I really appreciate your time and help. I think I’m all set to close the pool now (after I get the Cyclone Pro and fittings).

By the way, you mentioned pumping antifreeze into the return ports at the pool side. What kind of pump would you suggest for that? Thanks again!

 

[Fedorafan]

And one last question: Right now, I’m not sure where the waterfall draws its water from. If the intake is from the main drain, should I close the waterfall first, then the pool?

 

[Lake Placid]

And one last question: Right now, I’m not sure where the waterfall draws its water from. If the intake is from the main drain, should I close the waterfall first, then the pool?

I’m guesssing here, but one of your main drains is likely the main pump, the other is likely the waterfall. When you blow it you’ll know . Doesn’t matter which you blow first as long as you blow them both and once the valve is shut, don’t open it.

 

[Lake Placid]

By the way, you mentioned pumping antifreeze into the return ports at the pool side. What kind of pump would you suggest for that? Thanks again!

I use a Barracuda handheld transfer pump, a 6’ garden hose, and two sizes of rubber bladders for clearing drains. Put the antifreeze in an empty bucket, and pump away. I’ll look at the bladder size today and post it up.

 

[Newdude]

When you blow it you’ll know .

+1. It all makes SO much more sense when you shove the hose somewhere and a guyser shoot out somewhere else. Maybe you blow a couple of them twice while fiddling with valves, but you figure out your system QUICK.

Next year you'll skip a few steps that didn't work so well, maybe tweak a couple of others, and years 3+ are a flat out joke.

 

[Lake Placid]

The bladder I use 99% of the time is 1.5"-3" size.

 

[Fedorafan]

Got it!

I will report back once I have finished closing the pool!

 

[Lake Placid]

I neglected to mention I usually pump some antifreeze into the skimmer lines from the pump side, once they're blown. If you run into anything you know where the thread is.

 

[Fedorafan]

I finally got the Cyclone Pro and most of the equipments needed to close the pool, but I’m running into two issues:

1. No matter how hard I try, the fittings to the two holes in the pump housing unit are leaking badly. I’ve tried wrapping them with tape, plastic, and thin foam but haven’t had any luck. The air pressure seems strong enough to push a large amount of water out of the main drain and skimmer, but I’m not sure if that’s sufficient.

2. We previously discussed that I have two main drains on the pool floor, with one likely connected to the main pump and the other to the waterfall. However, when I open only the main drain valve and blow air through it, both drains push water up. At the same time, I see water flowing into the waterfall pump housing, and I’m not sure how to explain this.

 

[Lake Placid]

I finally got the Cyclone Pro and most of the equipments needed to close the pool, but I’m running into two issues:

1. No matter how hard I try, the fittings to the two holes in the pump housing unit are leaking badly. I’ve tried wrapping them with tape, plastic, and thin foam but haven’t had any luck. The air pressure seems strong enough to push a large amount of water out of the main drain and skimmer, but I’m not sure if that’s sufficient.

2. We previously discussed that I have two main drains on the pool floor, with one likely connected to the main pump and the other to the waterfall. However, when I open only the main drain valve and blow air through it, both drains push water up. At the same time, I see water flowing into the waterfall pump housing, and I’m not sure how to explain this.

Wrap a little tape on the white fitting that’s inserted into the suction plumbing to seal It into the hole a bit more.

Sounds like your pumps are sharing the main drain sumps. Close the waterfall suction valve when you airlock the drain of the main circulation pump. Once the main circulating pump drain plumbing is air locked, then blow the waterfall pump.

 

[Fedorafan]

Wrap a little tape on the white fitting that’s inserted into the suction plumbing to seal It into the hole a bit more.

I’ll keep trying. The fittings I’ve used so far either leak badly even with tape, or the hose pops out of the hole due to the high pressure.

Sounds like your pumps are sharing the main drain sumps. Close the waterfall suction valve when you airlock the drain of the main circulation pump. Once the main circulating pump drain plumbing is air locked, then blow the waterfall pump.

Okay, i will try again tomorrow, thanks

 

[Lake Placid]

I’ll keep trying. The fittings I’ve used so far either leak badly even with tape, or the hose pops out of the hole due to the high pressure.



Okay, i will try again tomorrow, thanks

Not uncommon. Hold the hose in place until you hear a change in tone when the cyclone is blowing. when this happens you generally know the majority of the water is evacuated from the line and you can let it go and walk away to visually inspect things with the blower running.

 

[Fedorafan]

Just reporting back—I think I’ve successfully closed the pool! I spent more time trying to get the hose to fit different ports and pushing hard on the hose while blowing than actually blowing out the water itself. Next year, I’ll make a lid with an adapter in the middle to connect the hose more easily. Huge thanks to everyone who helped, especially Mr. Lake Placid!

I’ll tackle the cover tomorrow—it’s brand new, so fingers crossed it fits!

 

[Lake Placid]

Good job. . Modifying a lid will make it even easier next year.