First closing - did they do it right ? Concerned.

[SirNoSplashing]

Hi all. Pool installed this year, first closing. Latham fiberglass 16x40. 1 skimmer, 2 main drains, 4 returns, 1 cascade waterfall. Tanning ledge, typically 12" water depth. 2 returns are at the back of tanning ledge, 2 bubblers on the tanning ledge.

Closing crew did this:

1. pump water down to below skimmer, just above the 2 returns in the pool area, and right at / slightly below the 2 returns on the back of the tanning ledge. The tanning ledge still has 2-3" of water in it, over top of the bubblers.
2. installed one-way valves ("Duck plug" valve as I found online), but only installed these on the 4 returns - did not touch the bubblers which are still under water
3. took out cartridge filter and re-closed the filter housing
4. hooked up a small electric 3hp air pump to the skimmer. rotated the valves at the equipment to blow air through the 4 returns, cascade, and bubblers.
5. removed plugs / caps at the equipment
6. valves: main drains valve is closed (not sure he ever opened it), 3-way has the cascade open and bubblers closed

So, basically there is water in the main drain lines (though I assume there always is, how would you remove this?)... and there is water in the bubbler lines (I assume), and 2-3" of water on the tanning ledge. And 2 returns with one-way duck valves are under the water line.

Feedback? Thanks in advance.

 

[wireform]

If they know what they're doing we need to assume the main drain was air locked and don't mess with the valve till next season. You can't air lock the bubblers but would need to blow through them and then get plugged since they're shallow it wouldn't survive the winter without damage.

 

[ajw22]

Frost line in Ohio is about 14".

So they only need to blow water out and lock air into the main drain line down 14 inches. The entire line does not need to be water free.