Skimmer line vs drain valve

[nityntiy]

Ok, so my water level is dropping below the skimmer line and its below freezing here in TX. Currently I am running the pump and I am afraid soon it starts pulling in air.
How can I turn off the skimmer line and just use the main drain for circulation for the next couple days until the temp. gets better before I can refill the pool?
I did some research and watched YT videos, but just want to be sure I do it right and don't blow something up since I am not very familiar with all the plumbing lines.

So there are 2 holes at the bottom of the skimmer box with a flap on the top. I believe the one close to the pool is main drain. Should I cover the other hole(away from the pool) so water comes out of main drain only? In addition, I think I have to close the diverter valve as well to shut off the skimmer line? Is there anythng else I need to be worried about?

If not I just need to drain the filter, main pump and the booster pump for the vacuume so it doesn't freeze?
I will post some pics if needed.

Last time it was close to freezing and I tried to clean up the skimmer basket filled with leaves, and I almost got frostbite from it. My hands were burning all day.lol So I need to make sure if I really need to close the diverter valve inside the skimmer line.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Nity,

You need to show us some pics of your equipment pad so we can understand your plumbing.

If your main drain is plumbed into the bottom of your skimmer, you will need to use a floating diverter valve. I have had zero luck with them...

If your main drain is plumbed back to the equipment pad, then you can just adjust a valve at the pad.

At this point your best bet would be to turn everything off and drain your pump and filter. Edit.. and booster..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[nityntiy]

Nity,

You need to show us some pics of your equipment pad so we can understand your plumbing.

If your main drain is plumbed into the bottom of your skimmer, you will need to use a floating diverter valve. I have had zero luck with them...

If your main drain is plumbed back to the equipment pad, then you can just adjust a valve at the pad.

At this point your best bet would be to turn everything off and drain your pump and filter. Edit.. and booster..

Thanks,

Jim R.

https://www.google.com/search?q=skimmer+diverter+valve&source=lmns&tbm=vid&bih=712&biw=1536&client=firefox-b-1-d&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiruIS83-_8AhUOFdAFHS81BdgQ_AUoA3oECAEQAw#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:7144ffce,vid:mjLYNiGSJ0U

I think this link would help? Just cover the diverter valve as it shows in the video?
I will include some pics soon.

 

[Jimrahbe]

nity,

That assumes you have a floating diverter and that even if you have one it works as intended. Like I said, I've not had much luck with them.

I have two rent house pools where the main drain is connected to the skimmer. I could not get either of them to work for more than a few hours to a day using the floating diverter.

Hope your luck is better..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[nityntiy]

nity,

That assumes you have a floating diverter and that even if you have one it works as intended. Like I said, I've not had much luck with them.

I have two rent house pools where the main drain is connected to the skimmer. I could not get either of them to work for more than a few hours to a day using the floating diverter.

Hope your luck is better..

Thanks,

Jim R.

You are right, those diverter caps are too loose to stay in place to block the inlet water flow. Also I noticed my second skimmer line dont even have a skimmer float valve, so I just closed out the line that goes to the pump using the cap. Will that help or will it create more pressure to the pump now that there is only water flow from one skimmer line?

In addition, for some reason, the one skimmer line away from the pump has always lower water level compared to the other side and that's where the air gets sucked in mostly. That's the skimmer that doesnt have the float valve and hence I just closed the drain that goes to the pump. So I am hoping now the air wont get sucked in since its flow is closed?

 

[Jimrahbe]

Nity,

Thanks for the pics...

It looks like you have an pool with a spa.

No doubt that your main drain is connected into the bottom of one of your skimmers. It would not normally be connected to both skimmers.

Obviously, water is level, so if the water at one skimmer is not at the same height as the other skimmer, it means the skimmers were not installed at the same lever, or here is Texas, it is just as likely that the black gumbo sole has made one end of the pool drop or rise.

I am not sure what good capping off one skimmers is going to do, if the pool has a leak, it will just continue until the water is below the other skimmer. If one of your skimmer is much higher than the other, then capping off the higher skimmer will allow you more time before the lower skimmer runs out of water.

As a side note.. It is colder here than in Anchorage Alaska...

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[nityntiy]

Nity,

Thanks for the pics...

It looks like you have an pool with a spa.

No doubt that your main drain is connected into the bottom of one of your skimmers. It would not normally be connected to both skimmers.

Obviously, water is level, so if the water at one skimmer is not at the same height as the other skimmer, it means the skimmers were not installed at the same lever, or here is Texas, it is just as likely that the black gumbo sole has made one end of the pool drop or rise.

I am not sure what good capping off one skimmers is going to do, if the pool has a leak, it will just continue until the water is below the other skimmer. If one of your skimmer is much higher than the other, then capping off the higher skimmer will allow you more time before the lower skimmer runs out of water.

As a side note.. It is colder here than in Anchorage Alaska...

Thanks,

Jim R.

Yes I do have a spa as well. That's what I thought too, the ground is uneven obviously. Hence the skimmer on the far end of the pool sucks in air first. I didnt cap off the skimmer line, but the valve that returns water back to the pump (the 2 holes on the bottom of the skimmer) is blocked out. So now there is no flow out from that side of the pool.

In addition, I got two small wooden sticks (1 foot long maybe) and closed out the skimmer door from inside on both lines by placing it horizontally inside the skimmer basket pushing against the door. It minimizes the water flow into the skimmer, and the assumption is water returning to the pump is solely from the main drain or maybe just a little from the skimmer as well. Obviously the psi dropped on the pressure valve on top of the filter. Reads normal now compared to high psi before.

I am really hoping this wont screw up anything. I will monitor for few hours and decide if I have to turn off the pump and drain it just to be safe.

Yes its still below freezing here and about to start snowing soon. WTH. Freakin TX. lol