Frozen pool

[wingedout]

Hello,
We were out of power for 5 days our pool froze over which we were expecting. Now it is starting to thaw and our filter housing and check value to spa have cracked. What can we do to stop the pool from continuing to drain from the check value? Should we pull the plugs on the pump? The spa is elevated higher than the pool. Here are some pictures. Any help would be great.

 

[Texas Splash]

If your equipment pad is above the pool waterline, it should stop. If not, or if it's close to level, then you may need to plug holes at the pool. Do you have any rubber winterizing plugs? If not, you may have to get creative to plug the skimmer. Maybe even the return jets if the skimmer alone doesn't do it.

 

[Dirk]

Where is the check valve relative to the pool? If the pool is lower than the valve, it won't drain at all. The spa will stop draining when its level equals the valve's.

I believe those filter housings are sold separately, if that helps...

 

[wingedout]

We don't have any plugs. I put the vacuuming cap with tubing on one skimmer that has thawed out. Once the other one thaws I was going to put some PVC pipe in that one. Our pool equipment is about 1ft lower than our pool. My husband and I are thinking of once the valves thaw out we can close them? would that help? or move them to spa only circulation?

 

[Dirk]

If your equipment pad is lower than the pool, it should have isolation valves first and last in the plumbing. Are those the valves you're referring to? If so, yes, close those when you can. Post a few more pics of your pad if you need help identifying things...

Valves on the return lines would isolate on the pressure side. There should be one or more valves on the suction side, too.

 

[ajw22]

Use some potatoes and stick them in your return lines and skimmers as plugs.

 

[wingedout]

here is a rough drawing of what we have. I took a picture as well but it is not wanting to attach will try on separate message. So return lines, just so I understand, I am thinking of the correct parts, are the ones around the pool shooting horizontal around the pool and I believe the ones in the spa are on the very bottom. I think I would rather the spa drain completely. I won't be able to get in there until it thaws and it will be to cold for this Texas lady.

 

[ajw22]

Turn off HDR on your phone camera app. HDR makes the pic too large for the TFP server.

 

[wingedout]

tried that and turn live off and everything else. not letting me upload it.

 

[Dirk]

If you're talking about the sketch, it uploaded just fine.

The drawing is a little hard to make out. But if those are all two-way valves, and every pipe leading into the dirt has one, those will function as isolation valves. First turn off all the pool circuit breakers, so there is no way for your pump to come on. Then close each of those valves until you can replace the filter housing and check valve.

Keep your FC up while the pump is off. Use liquid chlorine and a pool brush to mix it in.

 

[wingedout]

Yes, sorry. Just asked my husband if he can send me a picture. Breakers have been off since we lost power. We were worried that power would come on while we were gone and pump would turn off. Once I can close the valves that are sticking up from the ground will do so. Thanks