Help blowing out and closing simple filter pool

[lizzz]

Hello, it's my first time closing our pool myself and I'm hoping to get some feedback on my plan. The pool has one skimmer basket and two returns with a cartridge filter (no main drain, no heater). I've included a schematic of the plumbing.

Supplies
- Chlorine, Algomycin 600
- RV antifreeze 2-4 gallons for 30-40 ft of pipe
- Skimmer and two return plugs
- 15 L DeWalt shop vac (also have 20V DeWalt leaf blower)

Here is my plan:
1) lower water 6 in below the returns (we get a lot of snow and ice)
2) blow out the skimmer on the inflow side of the main pump (location A in my photo), add antifreeze to skimmer and plug skimmer intake. Add more antifreeze to skimmer and leave partially full antifreeze jug in skimmer to accommodate any freezing.
3) blow out the return lines. Should I use location B (the outflow side of the pump) or location C the ouflow location of the filter? Or do I need to do both locations (B to remove water from the pump and the line between the pump and the filter) AND location C to do the returns?
4) once the returns are clear, cap and add some antifreeze
5) add my remaining chlorine and Algomycin 600
6) partly refill with pool water the empty chlorine, Algomycin, and anti freeze bottles and leave them in the pool to accommodate freezing


Main Questions
- Will the small shop vac or leaf blower be enough? We also have a larger shop vac but it's currently hard to access.
- Do I need to blow out location B (pump inflow), location C (filter outflow), or both?
- Any other feedback or concerns?


Thank you in advance for your help!

 

[PoolStored]

Main Questions
- Will the small shop vac or leaf blower be enough? We also have a larger shop vac but it's currently hard to access.

Won't know until you try it!

- Do I need to blow out location B (pump inflow), location C (filter outflow), or both?

I'd blow at B.

See the section on connecting air to the pump here:

Closing Pool for Winter - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

- Any other feedback or concerns?

I would not use that algaecide. Use polyquat 60. I would raise your FC to 1/2 way between normal operations and SLAM. If your CYA is 40 say, normal target it 7, SLAM is 16. Raise FC to 11-12 (or whatever is half way between normal and slam level), add the polyquat, circulate for 24 hours, then close.



You need something in the skimmer to protect skimmer from freezing. You can use a partially filled gallon water bottle, or use Gizmos.

 

[Newdude]

My large shop vac did surprisingly well blowing the whole thing by shoving the hose right in the skimmer pipe. As a backup plan you could pull the filter and isolate the return and suction legs.

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

 

[lizzz]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, that's really helpful!