I finished the first pass through the job, but I have a series of questions - not sure I did everything right. It will be 29 degrees tonight and 26 one night over the weekend, but I don't think I am in any real danger yet. Here are my questions in no particular order:
1) Skimmers - gizmos and antifreeze - I blew out the lines from both the skimmers themselves(3 at pool, one at spa) and later from the pump's suction pipe (pump was removed). However, I did not add any antifreeze (I have 4 gallons waiting to be added). How important is it to do this? Also, I put a single gizmo in each skimmer box (three for pool, one for spa). They screwed in tightly. I have seven or so gizmos leftover, which I suppose I could put into he skimmer boxes to fill volume. Any reason to do that?
2) Returns - I blew out all the returns and left cyclone blower going for about 15 minutes. But I did not cap the shallow end returns while blowing to get all the air to the deep/far end? Do I have to worry? it seemed pretty dry. Also, I tightened the caps on the returns after blowing, but did not lubricate the o-rings. Do I need to?
3) Main drain - I closed off the skimmers first and blew out the main drain exclusively. I went to look for bubbles and I actually had a fountain shooting from the drain. I closed the valve for the main drain and assume this created the air seal I am looking for Anything I should be concerned with?
4) Spa jets - I blew out the air from the return side of the jets' pumps and then capped the pipes. But I did not run my air blower as I was doing this. Should I have? Should I go back and do this next week?
5) Spa jets inflow/suction side - I blew the suction side with the two jets pumps removed and air came out the bottom of my spa, similar to what I did for the pool. But there is no valve to close as there was for the pool's main drain. For now I just left pipe open but I believe water will not go in as the spa is much lower than the open suction side (should get air lock effect)
6) Air blower - Left outside and did not touch
7) Raypak heaters - I think I blew most water out when I was blowing through the two sides that attach to pumps for pool and spa. But I did not open the valves on the heater (I see one on the header, have not located the second one). I will get the two drain plugs open on each heater next week. Do I need to blow these lines again?
8) DE filter - I blew air through the filter initially as my multiport handle was stuck (I backwashed the DE before draining pool). Then I drained the filter by removing the plug as the bottom. Do I leave this plug open or sealed? I am concerned a mouse might go in if I leave it open. After draining filter I managed to get the multiport to recirculate. I also did not clean the DE filter as I had intended. Can this wait until spring? Unfortunately, my landscaper shut off the hoses outside so its difficult to spray down.
9) Chlorine generators for pool (Hayward) and spa (Jandy) - I have not yet removed but the water was blown out as I was blowing the pipes. I can bring inside for winter next week, but not sure what this accomplishes as my inside is not heated so why not just leave installed (and it keeps the mice out of the pipes)
10) Autofills - I drained, removed the fluid masters. and blew out the lines, but I dont see a way to plug the compartments/tanks. I plugged the equalizer opening at the pool and spa, but the tanks can collect rain water and then freeze. How do I prevent that.
11) Open pipes - I have many open pipes at the equipment pad where my 4 pumps were connected. I brought all the pumps inside. I can either shrink wrap the holes next week, or pup the pumps back. Like with the chlorinators, I am not sure why it helps to bring the pumps off lien and into a cold room, versus leaving at the equipment pad.