Safety cover and water levels

[Catanzaro]

It just dawned on me I don’t know where the cylinder is. Why would they take it? We have never used them before but they come highly recommended.I’m confused as to what it is supposed to look like. Are all the holes supposed to be plugged? They are supposed to use different plugs? They poured antifreeze in there on top of the plugs which seemed odd but I have no idea what I’m doing here.

Look at the previous posts. Yes, there is a cylinder in the port. The middle piping is where water is return to the unit. The cylinder spins, therefore allowing each head to pop up at a different time. Check where they store your other items and definitely give them a call.


3. Remove module(s) from valve housing(s). Store module in dry clean area out of the winter elements for winter until reinstallation in spring. (See Fig. 2)

http://www.1paramount.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/winter.pdf


Do you know if when the system is operational, if the 6 pop up heads in the pool rotate one after the other? If so, then you have a cylinder. If not, you never had one to begin with. Hard to tell.

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In item # 3, you will find a picture of the module to the left. Click on link. The model is what spins based on water pressure and velocity. If you had a hose with a 4 port extension on the end and opened one valve and a time, then closed and moved to the next, it would basically work the same way.

 

[xenayes99]

Yes I definitely have a cylinder I’ve seen it in there. The floor system works fine. . They didn’t didn’t store anything else except the filter and they left that by the door.

 

[Catanzaro]

Here are the instructions from paramount. I haven’t paid them yet so they had. Better do something.

Yes, that is the same link I had sent you from the top. Considering you have not paid them, do not. What I would do is remove the plugs you installed as you need to show them when they arrive back to the home. They will need to clear out the lines properly or you could just take $100 off the bill and order your own plugs and clear out the lines with an air compressor. You would place the plugs in the 6 ports, turn on the compressor and clear out until you start seeing the heads pop up and bubble. Then leave for about 1 minute and remove the air compressor. This creates an "air lock". Then you place the stem cap up and move on to the next. That simple.

Pressure on the compressor should be no more than 15-20 psi at first and you can move up a little more if need be.

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Yes I definitely have a cylinder I’ve seen it in there. The floor system works fine. . They didn’t didn’t store anything else except the filter and they left that by the door.

Then they took it as a safekeeping to open your pool properly. Only thing I can think of. Please call them immediately and report back to us.

 

[xenayes99]

Yeah I’m not doing it myself that’s why I hired someone!! Grrrr. So they used the wrong plugs and they didn’t use enough of them, correct? I just want to know what I’m talking about when I talk to them. If I can even get someone on the phone...

 

[Catanzaro]

Now you know why I close my own pool. If anyone is going to mess up my pool, it might as well be me. At least, I can blame myself as clearly the PB, when they make a mistake will usually not admit to any wrong doing.

Then again, there are some real dedicated pool professionals out there that are worth the extra money, like PoolGuyCT.

 

[PoolguyinCT]

That looks like a 1.5" system- they are easier to successfully winterize with the plugs he used. I prefer the proprietary plugs, they are faster, solid & won't slide down the pipe.

1. Not all pipes need to be airlocked, those too shallow to airlock get plugged in the pool.

2. Watervalve s are above deck level, so will not backfeed water to system.

3. If you do have your PB return, you should pay him a service call & pay for paramount brand plugs as an elective upgrade, it will be money well spent.

4. The gear drive won't fit inside valve with plugs.

I don't see call for a refund, you hired him to purge piping & Mechanical's, I see a diligent effort was made.

 

[Catanzaro]

Yeah I’m not doing it myself that’s why I hired someone!! Grrrr. So they used the wrong plugs and they didn’t use enough of them, correct? I just want to know what I’m talking about when I talk to them. If I can even get someone on the phone...

Do not accuse them of anything. Just question them on why they took your cylinder module and why they only have 3 ports plugged. The right wrong issue here is all up to interpretation. If the lines were cleared properly and capped off immediately, then the air was locked, but I would insist they use the other plugs. You may have to order them, have them shipped out and have them come back and finish the work properly. Show them the pictures you took and the manuals, etc. to prove to them the situation. An e-mail would be just cause at this point and considering you have not paid them, this makes it even better.

Next year, you should either close your own pool or find somebody who will do a better job. A word to advice with most contractors is to always be home when they are working. This is how you learn and pick up on mistakes.

 

[xenayes99]

Well that was the plan but it just wasn’t possible this year. So it’s possible the air can be locked with just 3 plugs?

 

[PoolguyinCT]

& thanks for the kind words above Catanzaro [emoji106]

 

[xenayes99]

I did my research and these people were supposed to be the best so there’s really no better options

 

[Catanzaro]

1. Not all pipes need to be air locked, those too shallow to airlock get plugged in the pool

As Ray (PoolGuyCT) has mentioned, maybe only the deep end are closed and the plugs will work, but the shallow end could be plugged either with regular plugs or threaded plugs. He has more experience with these systems!

Xenaynes99:

In summary, you really need to call the PB and find out why the other 3 are not plugged. But before you do this, maybe you can peak under the cover (may not be possible) as the shallow end pop up heads may be capped up like stated before. If not, just pick up the phone and give them a call.

 

[xenayes99]

I really doubt they went swimming in my 40 degree pool in November to cap the heads on the floor in the shallow end

 

[PoolguyinCT]

OP- this is where diplomacy comes in.

How would I play this call??? Several factors.
1. Is customer polite? (Actually huge factor in my book)
2. Have I been payed? There is a trust angle here, from the firms perspective. Don't threaten not to pay or ask for discounts, that only brings factors outside of the Winterization into the fold. Remember quality can not be created or destroyed, it must be funded.

- so how would I play this, for a polite regular customer who is a pleasure to work with, I'd likely sell them the plugs & swing by & purge the piping- unloading my equipment would likely be most time consuming part.

- if rude "I read your wrong on internet" type of guy, payment due, plugs, & "elective" service call. This is worst case.

- long time customer with mutual trust "who just learned something new & is curious" I'd explain my actions, and throw them a bone on plugs/blow if they had a logical point/contention.

- this time of year I am doing "walk throughs" of my Winterizations, again not required - it is built into my price & owners know why the pay more for us.
This is when I would sell you the plugs & purge the pipes again.

- he is not required to play it my way & winter "walk throughs" are not standard industry practice, so you wouldn't be owed one. It is just a value added service I do.

- so just be polite, tell him "something caught your eye" ask him to swing by & grab his $$ and take a peek at your contentions.
expect to pay for plugs & blow.






& Catanzaro - #12 in paramount in pool "pluggers"

 

[Catanzaro]

- so just be polite, tell him "something caught your eye" ask him to swing by & grab his $$ and take a peek at your contentions.
expect to pay for plugs & blow

Very well written and great advice!

 

[PoolguyinCT]

I really doubt they went swimming in my 40 degree pool in November to cap the heads on the floor in the shallow end

There are tools to do it from the deck..

shallow end floor can be airlocked. Benches most steps & other raised features get plugged.

Some Multi depth pipe trunks Must be both airlocked & plugged depending where heads sit in water column- but that's not worth discussing & those decisions are made on location.

 

[drewgost]

Anyone know of any good videos of a pool closing showing step by step?

 

[Catanzaro]

Anyone know of any good videos of a pool closing showing step by step?

All pools, even though similar have slightly different configurations. Well, not all pools, but the closing procedures are all the same at the end of the day. Videos on line will help you understand the concept better, but there will be not a step by step process. You can review my link below. It is important you watch videos on line and read the post very thoroughly.

Concept of closing an IG Swimming Pool

The concept of closing an in ground swimming pool