As the days have become warmer in Colorado, I took a few minutes to inspect things in the pump room and discovered a busted pipe that goes from my heater to the back and into the pump. It makes sense that water must have settled there because it is the low point. What worries me is what did I do wrong when I closed? This is my fourth year closing the pool by myself and hadn't had any problems before. This is my procedure:
1. I attach a cyclone blower to the skimmer side, turn on blower and plug each jet, one at a time.
2. I switch my input from Jet to Fountain and blow water out of the fountain until nothing but air is coming out.
3. I unplug the pump and heater and blow that out.
4. I pour antifreeze down skimmer and gently blow, then plug with a gizmo.
5. I blow-out the main drain with additional antifreeze and plug. I finish up by putting an half-bottle of anti-freeze in the skimmer bucket.
6. The pool equipment was bone dry when I was done. I left all the fitting and attachments open. Everything seemed bone dry.
However .... note in the first picture there is a red, bypass valve on the right of the furnace.
If I had to guess the problem is I may have left the by-pass closed and so water remained in that back pipe. (See photos)
Or, can a pipe just break apart from old age without water expanding? I did not see any signs of water on the floor, though it may have all just dried by the time I looked at it.
Two questions:
1. Can a good plumber fix this or does he have to have "Pool Guy" by his name? I have found that pool plumbers are far more expensive. I know a good plumber who has done very good and affordable work for me on other pipes around the house, but I haven't used him for pool equipment.
2. Assuming what is visible here is the only damage how much should I expect to pay?
Thanks for the help!
Rob
1. I attach a cyclone blower to the skimmer side, turn on blower and plug each jet, one at a time.
2. I switch my input from Jet to Fountain and blow water out of the fountain until nothing but air is coming out.
3. I unplug the pump and heater and blow that out.
4. I pour antifreeze down skimmer and gently blow, then plug with a gizmo.
5. I blow-out the main drain with additional antifreeze and plug. I finish up by putting an half-bottle of anti-freeze in the skimmer bucket.
6. The pool equipment was bone dry when I was done. I left all the fitting and attachments open. Everything seemed bone dry.
However .... note in the first picture there is a red, bypass valve on the right of the furnace.
If I had to guess the problem is I may have left the by-pass closed and so water remained in that back pipe. (See photos)
Or, can a pipe just break apart from old age without water expanding? I did not see any signs of water on the floor, though it may have all just dried by the time I looked at it.
Two questions:
1. Can a good plumber fix this or does he have to have "Pool Guy" by his name? I have found that pool plumbers are far more expensive. I know a good plumber who has done very good and affordable work for me on other pipes around the house, but I haven't used him for pool equipment.
2. Assuming what is visible here is the only damage how much should I expect to pay?
Thanks for the help!
Rob
