Blowing out Main Drain and Skimmer

[rodx4]

Good Morning All,

I am going to winterize for the first time this year. I did a sort of dry (wet) run and was able to blow out the returns and fountain with no problems. I hooked up my air compressor to the pump and blew them out that way. I attempted to do the skimmer and main drain and here is where I got a bit confused. I have a check valve that would prevent back flow to that area. I attached a pic showing my setup. In the pic is the main drain return and skimmer. How do I blow these lines out with the check valve in place? My thought is to blow out from the skimmer or from the basket area at the pump with a homemade blow out plug. Thanks in advance.

 

[Bama Rambler]

You could remove the flapper in the check valve and your scheme would work.

 

[Johnl]

I blow my main drain out through the pump.

 

[Melt In The Sun]

Agree w/ Bama; just unscrew the clear cover, remove the guts, then replace the cover.

 

[rodx4]

Thanks to all for the advice. I had thought about just reversing the valve prior, but removing the guts is probably a better idea. I will let ya'll know how it turned out.

Rod

 

[rodx4]

Thanks again. Removing the flapper from the check valve worked perfectly. I was amazed how quickly my main drain started bubbling using my compressor.

 

[Melt In The Sun]

Glad it went well!