Closing with Hard Plumbing

[jessica0917]

In the spring I had the people who installed my pool replace the rubber type hoses connecting the pump, filter, and heater with PVC. The past several years those rubber connections would tend to pop off so that was a pain. As they were connecting everything I questioned how I was going to take my multi-port valve/ pump inside for the winter they said pool equipment stays outside all year. I requested they come back out and add a connector to have a way for me to get to my sand so I could deep clean it in the spring. I asked about the closing process and they said all I needed to do was run some RV antifreeze through the skimmer and when it comes back into the pool shut everything down and drain the pump, filter, and heater. I have attached some pictures of my current set up. I have been closing my pool since 2008 so a bit fuzzy on this change in process and I wanted to run it by the experts.

I have read various threads about hard plumbing, but these are my specific questions.

1) Should I have a plumber add connectors so I can remove my multiport valve and pump or does that just add another place for possible leaks when the pool is up and running again?
2) How much RV antifreeze should I add to my skimmer?
3) After I lower my water level below the skimmer, what about clearing the lines from/to the pool? I have read some threads about blowing the lines out, but what is the best way to do this?

Thanks for your assistance!!

 

[VinnyinNJ]

Your posting made me go outside and look at the filter as my dealer hard piped the filter as well and it is not able to be separated to get inside the filter.

1) My opinion is yes, get PVC unions on them to make breaking down/taking apart the filter much easier. I've already asked my son about the pipes going to the pool but now looking I see I will need some additional unions as well - THANKS for pointing it out! I believe PVC unions have orings and what I usually do with anything that may have an oring is use oring lube that helps seal the fitting. I also think that schedule 40 or 80 PVC is meant to be used under pressure, more pressure that is generally coming from a filter (I think 60 PSI vs 25 for filter).
2) My dealer said it's not necessary but my belief is the longer the pipes the more water can be in them for possible freeze damage - my original plan was to use unions for these long hoses so I can remove them and then there isn't a freeze possibility.
3) looking at your photo of the skimmer and return it looks like they used a rubber connection with hose clamps. It also looks like you have flex PVC so I would attempt to remove the hose clamps and see if the pvc can be flexed lower and either blow out or suck the lines with a wet/dry vac. You may be able to use those rubber connectors as a sort of union since they are removable.

 

[phonedave]

You *can* leave equipment out as long as you drain it (or fill it with antifreeze), but I myself would much rather have unions so I can take it apart, and bring it into my shed.