Antifreeze, yes or no, how much?

[Amypie]

I've been reading these forums for a while, finally decided to join so I can participate. I'm in Dutchess County NY, decided to close the pool myself (with a little help from my friends ?) for the first time this season. My question is: Do I need to put antifreeze in the lines, and if so, how do I determine how much?

 

[Nectarologist]

It's not necessary if there is minimal water in the lines (i.e., you blew them out properly). I've never used it so I couldn't help with how much. On a related note, make sure you have something in the skimmer to absorb the freezing water (gizmo, 1 liter plastic bottle weighed down with gravel etc.).

 

[Catanzaro]

Amypie:

Even though I believe that antifreeze is usually not required, a lot of this comes down to your "comfort level". Personally I do not add antifreeze to my lines as I feel the lines have been cleared out properly with the use of the Cyclone. If you decide to add antifreeze in the lines, the amount used is based on length of plumbing, etc. and should be on the side of the bottle. It all really depends on your frost line, and how much water was really removed from the plumbing. Below is a thread that has some further information. If you do not mind spending the extra $25 on 4 bottles (RV antifreeze) at Home Depot, as this is the same as pool antifreeze, then by all means add it to the plumbing.


Blowing out main drain? Friendly debate

 

[Amypie]

Thanks Nectarologist & Catanzaro for your replies ��

 

[Jeff Lebowski]

I drain my pool to just below the bottom of the skimmer inlet. I then add a gallon of RV AF to the skimmer and its outlet pipe.

Local pool guy told me this was unnecessary due to the fact that the bottom of the skimmer basket is already below ground level by a foot...but I do it anyway. Cheap insurance and helps me sleep in the winter.

When I bought the house I hired a pool specialist to teach me how to close the pool. He does a whole slew of pools in my neighborhood. He never messes with compressed air or anti-freeze. I followed his lead and haven't blown out my pipes in the five years that I've closed the pool. Two of those winters were very very cold with temps in the low 20's at night.

So far, so good as I have never had a problem.

Here's the best thing I have learned so far - Close it late, open it early.

This year I closed it the 2nd week of November and in the spring I will open it EARLY in March. I did this last year and the difference in labor (mine!) was amazing. The first few years (when I closed it early and opened it late) I had to do a ton work to get it clean. The liner was covered with crud and it had to be brushed off and vacuumed up. It would take at least a full day to clean it up, and several more for the water to look nice. No more.

Last spring when I popped the cover off the water was remarkably clean and clear. I added water, DE and shock and had gorgeous water in two days. Zero scrubbing, almost zero hassle. So i spend a few bucks running the pump and shorten the life of my cell. In return I get to look at my pool and not a cover for an extra 2-4 months. My house is completely set up for back yard use and not looking at the cover is a big deal for me. I hate that thing. Best of all, opening is piece of cake and not the hassle it was the first few years I owned it.

One other thing, when I pumped the water out I left my multi-port in backwash. When I opened the filter, almost all of the DE was gone and cleaning the grids was a breeze.

 

[dw9000]

Don't use the automotive, (i.e Prestone) anti-freeze

 

[Amypie]

Thanks Lebowski! I did wind up using a a little insurance after all.

 

[Amypie]

Thanks to all for your advice/opinions. I watched a few videos on YouTube to watch the process of blowing out the lines and got the pool closed today. I'm never calling the "pros" again unless there's a real problem. I've been using a service for the last few years (and paying through the nose) and they did a pretty good job but I'm pretty sure they sent me the D team for my last closing and opening this spring and they damaged some of my equipment, costing me even more.

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[skbecker3]

I only use anti-freeze on the skimmer line after blowing out all of the lines and closing the bottom drain. looking in the skimmer, i fill the line with just a bit a few cups.

 

[anthonypool89]

I put a gallon of antifreeze in the skimmer line and a gallon in the return lines. Have gone through some unbelievably rough winters over the course of the last 28 years where there is sometimes 4-5 feet of snow and ice on top of the pool and deck (sometimes you wouldn't even know there is a pool under there!) and have never had any problems. To be honest, with the increasing climate change conditions, I think the time may come where we may not even need to worry much about it. My pool didn't freeze even once last year.