First time closing of pool

[gamerasian]

Hello all,

As many of you, I am tired of paying hundreds of $s to pool company to open and close the pool. With almost 10 years of watching them and learning from TFP got the courage to DO IT YOURSELF!

I have read almost all threads on this topic, but still have few questions and doubts.

* attached is the picture of the pipes hook ups. So for blowing out the lines I close Main train while blowing out and close it and put gizmo etc. Then to blow out main drain I make an airlock by blowing out while the skimmer is off and main drian is on. Now my question is how to I lock this as the three way valve either opens skimmer or main drain or both. How do I close both Main drain and Skimmer.
* attached is the picture of the pipe hook ups for all the returns. IS there an order I should follow to close them one by one?

ANy guidance on this would be very helpful.

Thanks
Aarti

 

[PoolStored]

What are you using to blow? Where are you connecting the cyclone/blower?

For the main drain/skimmer, here is what I would do...

1. Leave the valve open to both, turn on the cyclone. Blow out the main, then switch and blow out skimmer. This is just to get water equalized to pool water level/away from the valve.
2. Close the valve to the skimmer and blow out the main drain.
3. Turn the valve to close and airlock the main drain.
4. Blow out the skimmer line and insert gizmos.
5. Done.

Order likely won't matter on the returns...but...

The return lines picture is too busy/not taken from the right location to sort out what goes where. Can you take more pictures from different angles, and holding the camera closer to the ground, so we can make out all the pipes.

 

[Newdude]

Huge vote for the cyclone. It's cheaper than the first closing up here. It's only half what they quoted me in 2022 to close, and they were installing a new safety cover already so that wasn't part of the quote. Chemicals and blowing alone was $700 something and I spit out my coffee at 'seven hun' and missed the or something part.

Here's my process. I did the shop vac just to prove i could, but a real blower removes all doubt and the peace of mind is priceless.

Closing with shop vac.

Today was the day for closing and it went great with a 6HP shop vac. I hooked my blower up for fun after, and there really wasn't much left but some spray. Anywho I wanted to do a write up for all the folks wondering if they could save a chunk of change and tackle their own closing...

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[gamerasian]

What are you using to blow? Where are you connecting the cyclone/blower?

For the main drain/skimmer, here is what I would do...

1. Leave the valve open to both, turn on the cyclone. Blow out the main, then switch and blow out skimmer. This is just to get water equalized to pool water level/away from the valve.
2. Close the valve to the skimmer and blow out the main drain.
3. Turn the valve to close and airlock the main drain.
4. Blow out the skimmer line and insert gizmos.
5. Done.

Order likely won't matter on the returns...but...

The return lines picture is too busy/not taken from the right location to sort out what goes where. Can you take more pictures from different angles, and holding the camera closer to the ground, so we can make out all the pipes.

Thank you so much for your reply. So what I understand is close Main drain first and then Skimmer? Attaching some pictures of the return lines. we have three returns onthe wall, one return on floor at the deep side, close to main drain and only one Skimmer (one skimmer is permanently closed since long)
I do have more questions-
* Dont have Cyclone option in multiport (picture attached)
* Should we add antifreeze (non-toxic, RV kind) in lines?
* Should we add the closing chemicals before blowing out line and run the motor sometime or add at the end after all retuns and lines closed.

TIA
Aarti

 

[PoolStored]

A cyclone is a blower to blow out the lines. How are you going to blow out the lines?

Link-->https://www.amazon.com/Air-Supply-41281002-Cyclone-Horsepower/dp/B004BNR5DC

Here are our guides to winterize, chemicals and otherwise:

Closing an In Ground Pool

Winterizing a pool is essential for keeping your in-ground pool protected during cold-weather months. This Pool Repair guide will show you how to do it.

www.troublefreepool.com

Closing Pool for Winter - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com