Greetings. New homeowner here but not "so" new to the pool scene. Always had above ground pools growing up but with my new home purchase, I have a 18x36 in-ground finally. Nevertheless, I went through the procedure today to close the pool (after reading online) but I wasn't able to blow out the main drain and I'm not sure why. After lowering the water below the skimmers and returns, I removed the chlorinator and the pump.
First, I used the shop-vac to blow out the water from the returns using the return inlet where the pump is located. Water started coming out return #2 (see the picture) but nothing out of return #1. I stuck the shop-vac into return #1 and water/mist started coming out of return #2. After the water/mist stopped spraying, I went back the return inlet by the pump, stuck the shop-vac in there again and only air was coming out of return #1 and #2. I figured the return lines where clear at this point so I capped off both returns with plugs. For safe measure I poured a little pool antifreeze in the inlet section and used the shop-vac to push the antifreeze all the way through the lines.
Now I put the shop-vac into the skimmers/main drain inlet located by the pump. I put the "off" section of the valve in the center to see where the water/air would come out. Water started squirting out of both skimmers BUT no air bubbles were coming out of the main drain. I rotated the valve and put the "off" section to the main side. A little bit of water and a lot of air was still coming out of the skimmers but nothing out of the main. I put the shop-vac directly into skimmer #1 and more water was started coming out skimmer #2. Swapped sides and only air was coming out at this point. I figured the skimmer lines were clear of water at this point. I put the gizmos into the skimmers, poured a little antifreeze into the skimmer box and down both skimmer lines for safe measure again.
Now I turn the valve and put the "off" section to the skimmer side. Stick the shop-vac into the inlet where the pump is located and nothing is happening. You can here the shop-vac struggling because the air wasn't going anywhere. No air bubbles coming out of the main either.
So whats going on here? The only thing I can think off is that the line for the main drain was full and the shop-vac is not powerful enough? Or did I do something wrong here?
I called my local pool store and they told me not to worry about it because the main is located deep in the ground and wont freeze. Thoughts?
Thanks
Oh yea, what is that little pipe in the ground that I put a question mark?
First, I used the shop-vac to blow out the water from the returns using the return inlet where the pump is located. Water started coming out return #2 (see the picture) but nothing out of return #1. I stuck the shop-vac into return #1 and water/mist started coming out of return #2. After the water/mist stopped spraying, I went back the return inlet by the pump, stuck the shop-vac in there again and only air was coming out of return #1 and #2. I figured the return lines where clear at this point so I capped off both returns with plugs. For safe measure I poured a little pool antifreeze in the inlet section and used the shop-vac to push the antifreeze all the way through the lines.
Now I put the shop-vac into the skimmers/main drain inlet located by the pump. I put the "off" section of the valve in the center to see where the water/air would come out. Water started squirting out of both skimmers BUT no air bubbles were coming out of the main drain. I rotated the valve and put the "off" section to the main side. A little bit of water and a lot of air was still coming out of the skimmers but nothing out of the main. I put the shop-vac directly into skimmer #1 and more water was started coming out skimmer #2. Swapped sides and only air was coming out at this point. I figured the skimmer lines were clear of water at this point. I put the gizmos into the skimmers, poured a little antifreeze into the skimmer box and down both skimmer lines for safe measure again.
Now I turn the valve and put the "off" section to the skimmer side. Stick the shop-vac into the inlet where the pump is located and nothing is happening. You can here the shop-vac struggling because the air wasn't going anywhere. No air bubbles coming out of the main either.
So whats going on here? The only thing I can think off is that the line for the main drain was full and the shop-vac is not powerful enough? Or did I do something wrong here?
I called my local pool store and they told me not to worry about it because the main is located deep in the ground and wont freeze. Thoughts?
Thanks
Oh yea, what is that little pipe in the ground that I put a question mark?