First off thanks for reading this and any advice you offer!
This is my first time winterizing my pool. My suction side setup is two skimmers and a main drain. The return side is three return lines feeding 4 return outlets in my pool. I have a DE filter, multiport valve, chlorinator (pucks) and a heater.
Here is my process please critique and ideally answer my questions listed below:
Suction
1. Lower pool water level 6" below tiles. This will be well below my skimmers but not below my returns as I have a solid cover and can't lower the water below the returns as the water needs to support the cover.
1.5. Put multiport in closed position to force air only through suction side.
2. Attached a 1/4 air compressor fitting to the suction / front side of the my Hayward SuperPump. Close the pump lid tightly and close both my skimmer valves and leave my main drain valve open. Turn on my compressor and blow out the main drain. Do this for a minute or so until I see a steady stream of bubbles. Then close the valve to airlock and shut off the compressor. Quickly shut off compressor as to not build too much pressure.
3. Leave the near skimmer valve open and the main drain and far skimmer valves closed. Turn on compressor and blow out all the water in the near skimmer. Suck out the excess out with a shop vac. Pour 1/2 gallon of RV/ Pool antifreeze in skimmer. Plug skimmer with expansion plug and add a weighted plastic pool chemical bottle to absorb the pressure from any ice that may form.
4. Report procedure #3 above with near skimmer and main drain closed and far skimmer valve open. Blow out line, add anti freeze, plug and put weighted plastic pool chemical bottle to absorb the pressure form any ice that may form.
Returns
5. Turn multiport valve to recirculate to force air through heater and returns.
6. Blow out each return line one by one with the other two return line valves closed. Plug each return line with an expansion plug after I see a constant stream of bubble. Shut compressor off as soon as I plug the return to not build up too much pressure in the return plumbing.
7. Remove heater drain plugs and run compressor to push any remaining water out.
8. Leave multiport valve in the i between setting. Mine does have a winterization setting.
Questions
1. What PSI is safe to run my air compressor at for my plumbing, heater and multiport?
1.5. Should I forget about the expansion plugs for the return and buy duct plugs? Seems easier but more likely to leak.
2. Do I leave all the suction and return valves in the closed position? If not which stay open and which closed? I'm positive the main drain is left in the closed position to air lock , but not sure about the others.
2.5. Am I doing anything incorrectly or in an incorrect order?
3. How much antifreeze should I be adding to each skimmer.
4. My pool guy has never drained the water below the returns so I assume what he does is blows out the lines then plugs quickly. The lines can't be 100% dry put likely dry enough to avoid enough water expanding and cracking the plumbing. Please confirm.
Thanks,
Bill
This is my first time winterizing my pool. My suction side setup is two skimmers and a main drain. The return side is three return lines feeding 4 return outlets in my pool. I have a DE filter, multiport valve, chlorinator (pucks) and a heater.
Here is my process please critique and ideally answer my questions listed below:
Suction
1. Lower pool water level 6" below tiles. This will be well below my skimmers but not below my returns as I have a solid cover and can't lower the water below the returns as the water needs to support the cover.
1.5. Put multiport in closed position to force air only through suction side.
2. Attached a 1/4 air compressor fitting to the suction / front side of the my Hayward SuperPump. Close the pump lid tightly and close both my skimmer valves and leave my main drain valve open. Turn on my compressor and blow out the main drain. Do this for a minute or so until I see a steady stream of bubbles. Then close the valve to airlock and shut off the compressor. Quickly shut off compressor as to not build too much pressure.
3. Leave the near skimmer valve open and the main drain and far skimmer valves closed. Turn on compressor and blow out all the water in the near skimmer. Suck out the excess out with a shop vac. Pour 1/2 gallon of RV/ Pool antifreeze in skimmer. Plug skimmer with expansion plug and add a weighted plastic pool chemical bottle to absorb the pressure from any ice that may form.
4. Report procedure #3 above with near skimmer and main drain closed and far skimmer valve open. Blow out line, add anti freeze, plug and put weighted plastic pool chemical bottle to absorb the pressure form any ice that may form.
Returns
5. Turn multiport valve to recirculate to force air through heater and returns.
6. Blow out each return line one by one with the other two return line valves closed. Plug each return line with an expansion plug after I see a constant stream of bubble. Shut compressor off as soon as I plug the return to not build up too much pressure in the return plumbing.
7. Remove heater drain plugs and run compressor to push any remaining water out.
8. Leave multiport valve in the i between setting. Mine does have a winterization setting.
Questions
1. What PSI is safe to run my air compressor at for my plumbing, heater and multiport?
1.5. Should I forget about the expansion plugs for the return and buy duct plugs? Seems easier but more likely to leak.
2. Do I leave all the suction and return valves in the closed position? If not which stay open and which closed? I'm positive the main drain is left in the closed position to air lock , but not sure about the others.
2.5. Am I doing anything incorrectly or in an incorrect order?
3. How much antifreeze should I be adding to each skimmer.
4. My pool guy has never drained the water below the returns so I assume what he does is blows out the lines then plugs quickly. The lines can't be 100% dry put likely dry enough to avoid enough water expanding and cracking the plumbing. Please confirm.
Thanks,
Bill
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