Closing intex above ground pool

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I am considering leaving the pool up this year over winter. I have read a number of threads and got a grasp of the situation from a chemistry point of view but some questions remain re freezing.

I plan to drain the pool to below the lowest inlet/outlet. At each inlet and outlet I have shut off valves installed, should I remove the shut off valves from the pool or is leaving them "open" with the water drained below them sufficient? Here in the UK, some days of below freezing temperature are likely. Removing them would mean exposing an open hole I cut when installing them.

I have a hayward skimmer installed and im assuming I can leave that in place as long as the water is drained below it?

Thanks.

 

[Newdude]

The pool should have come with 'hats' to plug the openings on the inside. If you threw them out you can replace them. Drain just below the skimmer, cover it and store all the plumbing / equipment. Place a paver stone or something to divert any drips from the skimmer. Sometimes the weight above the cover forces water out the open skimmer.

 

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The pool should have come with 'hats' to plug the openings on the inside. If you threw them out you can replace them. Drain just below the skimmer, cover it and store all the plumbing / equipment. Place a paver stone or something to divert any drips from the skimmer. Sometimes the weight above the cover forces water out the open skimmer.

Hi, yes it did come with those but i upgraded the hoses to 38mm and installed valves on all inlet and outlets. I had to cut holes in the liner to accommodate this and thus the “hats” that came with the pool wont fit anymore. Should i just drain to below these levels and removed the valves from the pool? Or drain below the valves and just leave the valves attached minus the pipes?

Cheers.

 

[Newdude]

Should i just drain to below these levels and removed the valves from the pool?

You can, or plug them on the inside with threaded winterizing plugs (if applicable), or expanding rubber winterizing plugs. This is preferable if your holes are low. You want to leave the pool mostly full with wind damage concerns if it's more than 1/4 empty.





Across the pond, they're available at the HomeDepot type stores, hardware stores, or pool stores.

 

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What are those screw ones called mate?

Cheers.

 

[Newdude]

They go by many names with many plumbing applications but all share a common theme.

Rubber winterizing plug
Pool winterizing plug
Expanding (rubber / pool) plug

Amazon has a bunch, you just need to know your pipe opening diameter as there's many sizes

 

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Got it, thanks.

 

[Newdude]

Got it

Shoot. I missed the screw in part of your question.

Same as the above but also 'threaded'

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