Is there an order to removing plugs and gizmo when opening?

[Randy698]

I asked for help with opening last year but I ended up using a pool company so I apologize if I'm asking the same question. I don't think I can screw up anything too badly with opening vs. closing but want to be sure I'm doing it right.

I had a pool company close my pool and they put plugs on the two returns and a gizmo in the skimmer. They blew the water out of the pipes before plugging. They also removed drain plugs from my cartridge filter and pump (and I think heater). I removed the pressure gauge and cartridge filters and stored inside.

My question is in what order do I remove the winter plugs? Do I remove the two return plugs first and then the gizmo or visa versa? Does it matter? Once they are removed, I have a good idea of how to put the other items back in the original spots.

Thanks!

 

[PoolStored]

Does it matter?

Nope...

 

[Newdude]

It might matter. If you have any rubber plugs, open those last. The negative pressure in the pipe sucked one in on me one time and past the 1st 90. It was a tense half hour with the shop vac trying to get it out.

My kids learned new words that day. Heck. So did I.

 

[Bperry]

It might matter. If you have any rubber plugs, open those last. The negative pressure in the pipe sucked one in on me one time and past the 1st 90. It was a tense half hour with the shop vac trying to get it out.

My kids learned new words that day. Heck. So did I.

How did you get negative pressure in the pipe? Vacuumed seal instead of blowing?

 

[SecoSteve]

It might matter. If you have any rubber plugs, open those last. The negative pressure in the pipe sucked one in on me one time and past the 1st 90. It was a tense half hour with the shop vac trying to get it out.

My kids learned new words that day. Heck. So did I.

If that is the case, wouldn't you want to remove the rubber plugs first???

 

[Newdude]

How did you get negative pressure in the pipe? Vacuumed seal instead of blowing?

It just happens from temp swings over the winter. The empty pipe goes 'THOOMP' upon opening.

If that is the case, wouldn't you want to remove the rubber plugs first???

The threaded plugs such as the gizmo can't be sucked in. The rubber plug that was used was too close in size and it got sucked in. The ones I use now are larger and can't possibly fit.

 

[PoolStored]

It just happens from temp swings over the winter. Thr empty pipe goes 'THOOMP' upon opening.

This can't happen unless the other side is plugged...what do you do with returns on the other end????

 

[Newdude]

This can't happen unless the other side is plugged..

Correct. While my returns and skimmers are threaded some people's aren't and their only choice is expansion plugs. But I bring my equipment inside for the winter and the two ends pointing towards the pool aren't threaded so I use them too.

I went several years opening the pool side (threaded) first by dumb luck. The year i started at the pad first, I learned the plug needed to be larger. THOOMP. *rattle rattle*

 

[Randy698]

Now I’m confused. Is there a plug up at the pump basket? I know they used the black rubber plugs on the return jets and a gizmo at the skimmer.

 

[Newdude]

Is there a plug up at the pump basket?

Probably not, but open the pump lid and see.

know they used the black rubber plugs on the return jets and a gizmo at the skimmer.

The black rubber plug is the one i had the issue with. Pull the gizzmo first and it should release any vacuum that built up in the lines. The blessing and curse of a couple sizes of these all working is that some of them are too small once they are loosened.

 

[Randy698]

I see. So when you loosened the wingnut the rush of water and pressure sucked the whole plug into your line because it was undersized. If I unscrew the gizmo first the water will start to fill lines from the skimmer and pressure will be released before attempting rubber plugs.

 

[JamesW]

There was probably no vacuum.

If the plug is about 2.31 feet below the water surface, the water will exert about 1 psi of pressure on the plug and push it into the pipe.

That's about 1.8 lbs of force pushing the plug into the pipe.

 

[Newdude]

That's about 1.8 lbs of force pushing the plug into the pipe.

Mine was 1 to 2 ft above water level like the pic I posted above. It was sucked from my fingers into the pipe before I could realize what happened.

If I unscrew the gizmo first the water will start to fill lines from the skimmer and pressure will be released before attempting rubber plugs.

Yes, so long as all the valves are open between A and B. Take a good look at the plug. The next size up from the pic above barely fits into the pipe and it's clear it'll never get pulled in. If it looks like its any way possible of an issue, then open everything else first.