Closed pool multiport valve left on recirculate

[kacee]

Hi everyone...

A “professional” had closed my inground pool last month. Today when I went to set up the pool cover pump, I noticed that the multi port valve setting was left on recirculate as
opposed to the closed setting. Will that cause any problems... will I have an issue over the winter ? Opening in the Spring? All power had been shut off to the pool/pump since the date of close. I witnessed the pool guy blow out the lines as well as lower the water level.

 

[Texas Splash]

Ideally, a "winterize" setting allows everything to flow and is a way of making sure that the valve drains out completely and doesn't have some water left in one of the ports that could freeze and damage the valve. For those who don't have a Winterize setting, it's quite common to place the valve "between" two settings which keeps the valve handle lifted upwards a bit. This also helps to prevent the spider gasket (wagon wheel) from bonding to the key assembly and shredding the first time you turn it in the spring.

Here was someone's Hayward manual info:

Winterizing your Sand Filter (same as other sand filters with multi-port)

Note: Hayward Manual for the S244T 24" 300# sand filter, states only this in their instructions for winterizing:

WINTERIZING

1. Completely drain tank by unscrewing drain cap at base of filter tank. Leave cap off during winter.

2. Depress Vari-Flo control valve handle and rotate so as to set pointer on valve top between any two positions. This will allow water to drain from the valve. Leave valve in this "inactive" position.