Pool Mode with Closed Spa Drain in a Pool Open for the Winter

[dreandjazz]

first off, thanks to all of the members and contributors to this forum! we're brand new pool owners with no experience managing a pool and the articles and forum topics that i've read so far have been really informative and helpful....now on to my first (and definitely not last ) question....

context:
our pool was put in service last friday and the pool company configured automation for 2 modes: pool mode and spa mode. in pool mode: pool and spa returns are open and spa drain is closed. in spa mode: pool returns and drains are closed and spa return and drain are open..

we're planning to leave our pool open for winter and run the VSP almost 23h/day in pool mode (1250 rpms from 10p to 7a otherwise 2000 rpms)...

question:
should we open or change the valve settings for the spa drain so that it's partially open so that we get water flow through the spa drain?

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

If you try and drain from your spa while in pool mode then you need to put an equal flow of water into the spa through the spa return to maintain the spa water level. I think you will find it impossible to balance the spa the spa flow in and out.

 

[dreandjazz]

Thanks for the reply. I've played around with it manually by setting the pool/spa returns at 50/50 and pool/spa drains at about 75/25. This seems to work well and still creates the spillover from the spa.

I was more concerned about leaving the spa drain closed during the winter and the lack of circulation in the drain/pipes. It seems like it should be left open to drain.

 

[ajw22]

The rub is you don’t want your spillover running in freezing conditions. Water can freeze on your spillover and tiles and damage it.

It is easy to get a balance with an excess of return water going over the spillover. Difficult to get a balance between spa drain and return where there is no spillover.

 

[dreandjazz]

Thanks and good points. I have a partially submerged spa where the ledge of the spa sits below the decking, so the spillover covers the entire ledge. The spa ledge is about 1" higher than the water level (when filled below the spillover drain). Still cause for concern?

 

[ajw22]

Yup, a thin layer of water freezing on the spillover tiles can do lots of damage if you get a hard freeze.

Depends how much of a gambler you are. Could work for years before it bites you.

 

[dreandjazz]

Thanks. It would have been great for the pool company to highlight this when discussing designs . I had planned to keep the water heated to at least 55-60 degrees so that the SWG would stay active with a production percentage set to 10-20%.

 

[wireform]

You can't heat water tobthebtemps you mentioned. A heater needs to be north of 70° for the condensation not to kill it.

 

[ajw22]

Thanks. It would have been great for the pool company to highlight this when discussing designs . I had planned to keep the water heated to at least 55-60 degrees so that the SWG would stay active with a production percentage set to 10-20%.

Pool Company does not care. They will give you what you ask for. They will be long gone before the problems with what you ask for appear.

What model heater do you have?

Heater Condensation - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[dreandjazz]

You can't heat water tobthebtemps you mentioned. A heater needs to be north of 70° for the condensation not to kill it.

Thanks!

 

[dreandjazz]

Pool Company does not care. They will give you what you ask for. They will be long gone before the problems with what you ask for appear.

What model heater do you have?

Heater Condensation - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

It's a Raypak 206A 199k Natural Gas Heater