Do you trust the valve to hold the airlock on the main drain?

[Quickstep192]

In the past, I’ve always pressurized my main drain, then closed the valve and put a plug in the pump inlet.

My new pump inlet is an odd size and I haven’t yet found a plug to fit.

Would you trust just the valve to maintain the airlock?

My equipment is well below the waterline, so the exposed pipe from the main drain will quickly fill with water if the airlock isn’t maintained.

Any information is appreciated.

 

[HermanTX]

What type of valve do you have to hold the air lock? Show a picture.

 

[Quickstep192]

Pentair three way valve.

 

[HermanTX]

That main drain goes back to a TEE. Then I see a removal plug on the end. Can you remove that blow air in and then insert a plug past the tee? That appears to be standard 2” or 2.5” pipe from the picture.

 

[Newdude]

+1. I just noticed my 1.5 year old Hayward valve leaking to waste. I no longer trust the other 2. They felt chintzy compared to the Pentair diverter and how I imagine the NeverLube feels. Suspicions confirmed.

With a similar setup I will blow it, close/lock it, then use a rubber winterizing plug at the pump connection. The pump comes inside anyway with what I had to do to get it during the shortages. . But then the pad side is secure and the skimmers have gizzmos so if the valve does crud out, the air lock remains.

 

[Quickstep192]

That main drain goes back to a TEE. Then I see a removal plug on the end. Can you remove that blow air in and then insert a plug past the tee? That appears to be standard 2” or 2.5” pipe from the picture.

I can blow it out at the tee, but air would still have a path to the valve, so if the valve leaked, the air lock would still be broken.

 

[Quickstep192]

Would it make sense to put a set of unions in where I have the lines drawn so I could pressurize and plug there? I recon I’d use a plug with a schrader valve.

 

[Quickstep192]

 

[Newdude]

Would it make sense to put a set of unions in where I have the lines drawn so I could pressurize and plug there?

I'd just plug it here



You don't even need to remove the pump, you can pop the union and rotate the pump a little. (Probably need to loosen the top union) Then plug the suction pipe and the front of the pump and you're golden.