Was wondering if you guys heard of situations where the main drain line actually froze and cracked? I practice air locking to play it safe but always wondered how effective it was. Anyone hear a situation where the line actually cracked from freezing over winter?
Main Drain Freezing and Cracking
- Thread starter coolpool293
- Start date
- Jun 7, 2017
- 9,966
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Jandy Aquapure 1400
Gotcha. I know the frost line in NJ is 36 in. So I didn't know how often there are issues with main drains cracking specifically connected to the skimmer
- Jun 7, 2017
- 9,966
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Jandy Aquapure 1400
Cracking would occur in most cases above ground or very close close to it. Air locking lowers the water level in the pipe below freezing level.
If the drain goes to the 2nd skimmer port it's a bit trickier. You need a snorkel on the drain port with a valve you can close under pressure. Otherwise when you remove the blower, the pipe fills back up in the moment it takes to get the hose out of the way and plug the pipe.
If the connection isn't threaded to add a sealed snorkel, you can shove a (1in ?) foam rope down the drain pipe and then plug it. You'll probably need a dowel or such to push the rope because it probably won't want to dunk far enough. Then wherever is above the frost line this year won't be able to expand to the point of pipe damage.
This could very well be the winter we haven't seen lately, but the last few years didn't come close to our traditional 36 inch frost line.
And please excuse my terrible manners. Welcome to TFP !!!
Here's an example of the main drain DIY valve:
www.troublefreepool.com
I'm going to blow-out my pool lines via the skimmer. Questions.
My method in the past has been to screw 2" pipe into the skimmer and main drain threads. If I put my cyclone blower directly into the skimmer to blowout the lines, should the filter and pump be plugged or unplugged while blowing? It seems I should keep things plugged to make sure the water is...
www.troublefreepool.com