I live in Ct, closing my pool tomorrow. If the lines are blown out and capped do you really need antifreeze? I've read how it meeses with the pool water chemistry,. Also while I've read it's not toxic my dogs share the pool and will drink sometimes when swimming.. im also not crazy about the smell.
Anyone not use antifreeze in new England
- Thread starter Superblue72
- Start date
- Jun 1, 2018
- 16,025
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
The small amounts used for winterizing compared to your pool volume shouldn’t affect your water chemistry too much if using pool-rv/marine antifreeze (propylene glycol)
but if concerned you should use a shop vac to remove the bulk of it when opening rather than just letting it release into the pool water.
Some people don’t use antifreeze at all - most prefer the insurance though.
but if concerned you should use a shop vac to remove the bulk of it when opening rather than just letting it release into the pool water.
Some people don’t use antifreeze at all - most prefer the insurance though.
When the lines are properly blown they are empty and antifreeze is just insurance in case any condensation collects in the low spot. Most manufacturers suggest a max 50/50 mix for best results and if you had a big enough leak to refill the pipe(s) the antifreeze would probably be diluted to the point of being less effective in the areas above the frost line in a deep freeze. Or it would be pushed out when the new water floods in.
IMO a big leak will likely cause problems with or without the antifreeze, but maybe it helps just enough that the pipes don't split in a hard to get to spot.
Some pool services fill the pipes with antifreeze VS a gallon or so each and that won't help the big leak if it arises. It's also ridiculously expensive paying up to $15 a gallon for the pool store stuff when it's $4 a jug at Lowes/Walmart.
In the spring you can blow both halves back to (and out) the equipment pad to remove most of it. A couple of gallons won't matter in 14k gallons (30k for me) and the chlorine will neutralize it quickly, but it's easy enough to remove it so i try and get the bulk of it out. I blow mine before re-installing the equipment but if i left it out there connected, I'd pull the first and last device to allow the antifreeze an exit at the pad. I hose down the area well and keep the dogs away while it's puddle up.
For those with a waste option on the suction line they can clear the suction side that way, then either let just the return side go to the pool or blow it out back to the pad.
