Search results

As written previously in this thread, the heat pump works fine, it just takes longer to heat up the pool. Regarding efficiency, the pump must run longer, which now brings us back to more electricity. If one must run the pump 8-12 hours per day to heat up the pool because of a heat pump, then gas...

If you have time, search on line to see if they sell new gaskets. Outside of this, you may have to replace the whole unit, as I do not recall if there was a gasket with the Pentair Shut off valves. The water is under the frost line and you should just leave it open. The other option is to try to...

Please upload a picture of the areas in question. Spray solution of soapy water on the shut off valves to see if you have air bubbles. It may from the top of the valves, which would require the gasket replacement, and not on the inside. I was referring to the inside. If air is not leaking from...

Go back into the pump housing and insert a black winter plug. Unfortunately, I have learned that the shut off valves are not 100% air tight, no matter what the manufacturer states. What kind of pump do you have?

I am assuming you are claiming that your main drain is tied into the skimmer, and there could be a diverter valve. Unless you are working with a Cyclone and some adapters, there may not be enough air volume to move the water along. However, if this was my set up, I would work with blow-thru...

My pool was built in 11-2013, and then closed during construction. Pump not in use until spring of 2014. Pump left outside from 11-2013 until 05-2018. Pump technically lasted 4 years. It looked really bad. Upon start up, the pump would not turn over. Tried a new capacitor, with no luck (have...

Sorry for the late response. The Poly 60 will eat away at the chlorine, and vice versa from what I understand. It is always best to allow the levels to drift down the minimum, based on CYA relationship. Hard to tell if lower levels, based off CYA would cause any problems. It is always good to...

A little air loss is normal and and a little backpressure will not damage the piping. The compressor should be shut off before closing any valves during "air locks". Remember that air has to escape first before water can get in. I have loosened winter plugs, allowing air bubbles out, only to...

Twist the hose on the adapter, but hold the adapter with one hand and the hose with the other hand. Reverse the process when you take it off. Or maybe the hose is just larger than needed.

Stick a screwdriver vertical, and turn counter clock wise. Isolate each section with the shut off valves when pushing air through. Again, you may have to work with adapters (larger to smaller) in order to create something to work with. There should be blow thru-plugs for the piping, but the...

All gauges and drain plugs are removed after you are done. I have no idea why you have 5 Gizzmo's, but they are usually for skimmers only, not inside the pool as winter plugs are used inside the pool. Extended plugs are for areas that are hard to reach because they are tucked inside. Without...

Do the covers in the SPA come off, which will allow you to work backwards? You could always use the blow-thru plugs. A lot depends on the air volume. The cyclone would be able to push enough air through the system to have both areas bubble long enough where you can create the "air lock". Then...

Please provide a little bit more detail about the main drain. I need to know how you did it, what type of compressor and where you hooked it up to. Also, the shut off valve selection makes a big difference. If you can isolate the main drain by itself and you have separate shut off valves for...

Once you add the chlorine, let it go for the winter/early spring. Do you have a mesh cover? If you open up early, you will be surprised how quickly the SLAM will go. You may also want to add regular tarps over the cover (if mesh) to block the sunlight!

One of the things I have learned with the main drain is that antifreeze is usually not needed, as it will mix with the water. You are too far down to worry about anything. The air will actually compress in the cold weather and expand in the warm weather. One other thing I have learned is that...

Each year, you become more efficient. One good thing about opening and closing your own pool is the amount of $$ saved, but the satisfaction of knowing you have accomplished something. If you hire someone to open and close your pool, in addition to listen to the pool store, one can easily waste...

I have a friend that has a lot of returns, from slides, to spill over spa, to love seats, etc. An air compressor would not work in his situation because of the plumbing, unless I literally shut all the valves off, and usually this is where air volume is needed. Most pools, an air compressor with...

I have even mentioned to other members to actually close off some returns first and bleed the water out with air first and then go back and open them up from the beginning. Everyone pretty much has to find out what works best for them. Professionals use the Cyclone because of time constraints...

This year, I kept the whole system opened because there was no one here to help me out. But you will need a powerful pool blower to accomplish the task, like the Cyclone. If you are using an air compressor, it is best to isolate each area. The best way to do this is by using winter plugs inside...

If you have a pool blower, you can leave everything on recirculate. If not, either close the MPV and clear the suction side, or use winter plugs in the basket to isolate each section.

I hired the pool company to close my pool the first year. They threw in (not even a gallon of the copper algaecide), maybe less than 16 oz., and left the bottle there as there was nothing left. The price was exactly $5 to purchase the algaecide (luckily they had none). Watched what they did...

It does not matter whether you use a winter plug and pool noodles or Gizzmo's, what ever you are comfortable with. Again, can you get down to the low returns in the pool to plug them? If so, then yes, you should use winter plugs. Keep the plugs flush and press firmly flush and then tighten...

Do not worry about adding chlorine during the off season. If you followed the closing procedures, you should have no issues. Open the pool early (real early). If you are really concerned, purchase very inexpensive tarps, cover the pool for the few months until it gets real cold. This will keep...

If you have trouble locating the parts, I have e-mails saved from the vendor in my Outlook and can easily locate the receipts, but it appears the part #'s are in the body of the message. Hope this helps.

I would only bring the pump inside and leave everything else outside. Of course, you can bring in the salt cell and Zinc Anode if there are unions there. All returns can be and should be closed under water so you can see if air is leaking. Do not overtighten and use new plugs if the old ones...

I wanted to update everyone on the multi-port. The new part was installed. Interestingly enough, I was able to peek inside the sand filter, (water up top), and really should have taken a picture. The water, even after one week on recirculate (solar cover on) was still crystal clear. What is...

Allen has given some great advice. With all the closings in NJ, we do not remove any drain plugs from the heater, as we feel that most, if not all the water is out of the heater. If you have isolated the return and suction side, the probability of any water back feeding to the heater is slim to...

Please follow the instructions on the Poly 60 from the thread, and it probably is non-foaming, non metallic. What is the brand name? And yes, you can add it at this point, but only add it 12-24 hours before closing the pool and blowing out the lines, not days before.

Are you planning on adding Poly 60? If not, then bring back up to SLAM level and close the pool. What you can do is add a little bit of Poly 60 (now), like a few ounces. Let's not be chemists here, but the Poly 60 should eat away at some free chlorine. Then check again in 6-12 hours, and go...