Pool closing issue

[stevenY2020]

Hi Folks,

This is my first year owning a pool, and I’m trying to close it myself but running into issues blowing out water from my skimmer. I hope I can get some guidance from the community.
A little bit about my pool set up. I also attached few photos for reference:
0. I have a main pool that’s connected to the spa.
1. I have two pumps and a cleaner. 1xpump is for suctions and returns, the other is for water feature.
2. On the first photo, the pump on the left is for water feature ->all good on this one
3. The other pump on the right has 3xsuction lines: the single line that’s by itself connects to spa drain, one connects to the 2xskimmer, and the last line- I can’t figure out what it does
4. It doesn’t look like I have a main drain valve; my skimmer does have the equalizer hole but it’s completed sealed off —> is this normal?
5. The 2nd photo shows the two skimmer.
6. The 3rd photo shows the skimmer at the deep end, which shows the two holes

Okay, my issues/questions:
1. I blowed the air into the suction today, and I was able to get the water out of the shallow skimmer, but not the deep end one. I plugged the shallow skimmer and no luck as well. Like zero water came out of the deep end skimmer. Is there possibility a leak in that skimmer? What else can I tried?

2. Is it normal to not have a main drain valve/suction line? I got the water down the return today, so I felt the main drain is definitely working?

3. What could the 3rd suction line be? I tried to blow air into it, but no reaction at all.

Appreciate any insight!

 

[Mdragger88]

Let’s ring @Newdude

 

[Newdude]

What are you using to blow the lines ?

4. It doesn’t look like I have a main drain valve; my skimmer does have the equalizer hole but it’s completed sealed off —> is this normal?

Yes. Many main drain lines are permanently sealed instead of fixing issues with them. It's more common in older setups like yours.

Or it was bypassed originally and the drain leg ran back to the pad.

I blowed the air into the suction today, and I was able to get the water out of the shallow skimmer, but not the deep end one.

If the lines are tied together, you will often only blow the shortest leg with the air leaving the path of least resistance. You may need to blow the first one, seal it, then blow the other.

What could the 3rd suction line be? I tried to blow air into it, but no reaction at all.

Could be the drains and if you're not using a cyclone, you probably won't get enough flow to empty it.