Blowing out lines

[Bengi010]

I’ve closed the pool successfully for 3 years now but I’m having trouble this time. In the past I connect my compressor to the skimmer and blow out the returns and main drain from there. This year the air pressure is escaping through the filter waste port no matter which setting the MVP is on. I’m attaching pics of the set up. I’m hoping I didn’t blow the seal on the MVP or something. Also open to suggestions how to rig some other way of blowing the lines that bypasses the pump and filter some how.

 

[Texas Splash]

Sounds like air is slipping past the spider gasket/diverter in the MPV. To push air through your pressure side to the returns, I would be inclined to find a place other than the skimmer. From your pics I think you have the following options:
1 - Try to connect an air hose/fitting in the pump strainer pot where water normally exits of the pump (new the impeller). Be sure the MPV is on recirculate.
2 - Disconnect the union fitting at the heater outlet and push air from there to the returns
3 - Not sure if there is access to the inline chlorinator, either within the unit itself, or by disconnecting it from the plumbing, then pushing air from there.

 

[Newdude]

Can you cap the waste line ? You have access to it to cut and add one if it goes buried out of pic view to an inaccessible location.

A simple coupler would put it back together either now or in the spring. If you leave the lines sealed on both ends and the pad, leave it capped until the spring to maintain the vacuum. If you leave the drain plugs out, then you can splice it now as air is already getting in the system for the winter.

This is the issue with using compressors. If the slightest bit of air escapes anywhere, many don't have the CFM to overcome it.

Plan on adding unions at your convenience. The good ones are pretty cheap around $20 and if it's ever an issue again, you could disconnect the equipment and blow each leg directly. Being able to dismantle everything will also come in handy eventually down the road.

Keep us posted.

 

[Bengi010]

Thanks. I’ve been thinking about redoing the plumbing entirely as I don’t use the heater or the chlorinator. Probably ought to replace the ball valves with jandy valves and build in access to blow from equipment side.

 

[Newdude]

Probably ought to replace the ball valves with jandy valves

I promise you will be doing it one way or the other. It's your choice if you pick when.

and build in access to blow from equipment side.

Unionize the equipment. Strength in numbers and whatnot. (Use schedule 80). Then you can pop it out to blow back towards the pool both ways. A compressor generally only had the strength to empty one pipe. Once air escapes out the least resistive way, the rest stop draining. It's best to start in the middle and blow each leg individually.