IGP closing in Chicago- water level for liner

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viscid

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Jul 25, 2012
26
St Charles, IL
Hello again. Was able to clear up my water thanks to you guys. Now I thought I'd try closing myself but now I'm second guessing. In order to lower the water to 2" below my returns, I would only have 22" of water in my shallow end and the top two stars would be out of the water.

With a liner, would that be ok? The edge of the liner is 41" high so over half would be above water level. Is this ok? I have a safety cover so I don't think the water needs to support that.

Again, any help would be appreciated. And if u think I'm crazy and should call someone to close it, please let me know.

Thanks.
 
Hi, Viscid.

As you know, I don't do my own closing. My closers do not lower my pool water. We use "Anderson duck plugs" in the returns, and "skimmer plugs" across the skimmers. You can google the quoted descriptions to see what they are. With my groundwater issues, we keep as much water in the pool as possible to keep outward pressure on the liner.

I don't know if you can use them, as my closer uses really high powered blowers to drain my lines and you may be using a shop vac or something. I am not a closing or equipment person... Just thought I would mention that and say hi!

Hopefully someone will chime in with helpful advice!

Marian
 
viscid said:
Hello again. In order to lower the water to 2" below my returns, I would only have 22" of water in my shallow end and the top two stars would be out of the water. With a liner, would that be ok? The edge of the liner is 41" high so over half would be above water level. Is this ok? I have a safety cover so I don't think the water needs to support that. Again, any help would be appreciated. And if u think I'm crazy and should call someone to close it, please let me know. Thanks.
Click to expand...

If my pool was made from concrete, I probably would lower the water below the returns. Although, IMO liner pools should stay about 2" below the skimmers. This helps remove almost 99% of all the water in the skimmer lines, especially with a good blower and shop vac. You can vacuum most of the water out as the blower is working. Install Gizmo's with Teflon tape and then you are done. The main drain requires an "air lock".

Now, for the returns. I honestly believe that that one can plug each return except the last one and blow out the lines this way. Even though we are all taught to plug each line separately. The water will only move one way. When you are at your last return, probability is that you have moved enough water out of the lines (If I had to take a guess it would be about 95% of the water and maybe more), that you will not have freezing water in the pipes. Also, some air is released back at the equipment pad when you shut the blower off. The breakeven point is 2 years (or 2 closings) for the pool. Most equipment used for the pool can be used for other projects, so the investment is more of a necessity as a homeowner.

I personally recommend closing your own pool. Only in the first year, did I pay someone. I watched, learned and purchased my own equipment. The Cyclone is the best investment a pool owner can make, but a shop vac and compressor usually works as well.

What are you using to clear the lines? Were you successful with the main drain? Thanks!

PS: There are no crazy people on this forum! LOL
 
I tried closing it today. Did each return but still had a few bubbles coming out of a couple. Bad plugs? They were only used one year prior to this. Also, I have an equalizer port (?) I think. Not sure when to blow this out. I think I did the process correctly but the equalizer port still has water in it. I used a 6 gallon compressor blowing from the skimmer. Maybe I should hook it up from the pump?

About to give up and call someone.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I threaded and the rest are rubber plugs.
Click to expand...

Is it 1 of them are threaded and the rest are rubber plugs? Which plugs are leaking? The threaded one's leak and are dangerous if tightened too much. The black plugs are better and they have to be large and stick out. I have to tighten mine pretty good by hand or they will create tiny air bubbles. When closing, I always recommend goggles so you can see what is going on in the pool. It could also be that the plugs are not flush.
 
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