Water Fixture winterizing

[martink]

Hi all,

I am looking for advice if it is feasible and safe to winterize the water fixture only that has it's separate pump to avoid running it when temperature drop below freezing in the winter. I live in Houston and temperature does not drop that often and I want to avoid winterizing the pool.

I attached picture of the plumbing. The water fixtures pump is the black one and it is constant speed. So can't adjust the speed for a low speed freeze protection mode

 

[wireform]

I guess you'd need to elaborate a little on what it's for but just judging by the picture it seems to be isolated from the rest of the system so you can probably blow out the lines and keep that part of it dry all winter and obviously plug up the outlets and Inlets.

 

[martink]

The pump return is easy to winterize and keep dry. The 5 pipes going back to the pool are for the fixture jets.

My problem is the pump suction as I don't know where it is connected to under the ground or how to isolate it from the pool.

I attached picture of the fixture. The 3 pipes on the right go to the 3 opening in front of the beds. The 2 pipes on the left go to 2 jets on the top of the stairs.

 

[Texas Splash]

My problem is the pump suction as I don't know where it is connected to under the ground or how to isolate it from the pool.

I would think there is a port of some sort somewhere in the pool shell. Your main pump (w/ filter) is supported by the skimmer(s) and perhaps a main drain, so there should be some other port, perhaps on a wall, to support the water feature system.

 

[ajw22]

You need a valve on the pump suction so that you can blow the suction line out and air lock it to winterize it.

 

[Texas Splash]

If all else fails, I suppose you could disconnect the suction line from the pump inlet and connect a blower to the line and just push air backwards into the suction line and watch in the pool for bubbles.

 

[ajw22]

Blow air back into the suction line and look for the air bubbles.

 

[wireform]

With unions on the pump it's easy enough to back the pump out of there and be free to blow it out.

 

[martink]

Thanks all for the help and sorry for being slow in replying. I have 4 main drains, 2 in the floor and 2 in the wall. I am suspecting the wall ones are for the fixture bit can't confirm. I attached a picture

There are tons of accessible underground valves that has a lod similar to the sprinkler ones. But I have no idea what they are for. I didn't build the pool and the previous owner did not leave a plan.

I am think I can disconnect the pump suction and blow the line, but how can I prevent water from getting back in the line?