Winterize vinyl pool with tanning ledge

bigshag57

New member
Oct 2, 2023
1
Sussex County, De
Pool Size
11000
Surface
Vinyl
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
Hi,

Does anyone have any information on winterizing a vinyl pool with a tanning ledge?

My concern is winterizing the skimmer and return lines.

I've owned and maintained an inground pool for over 30 years. My previous pool was a standard 16 x 32 with fiberglass entry steps.

I would drain down just below the skimmers and returns and blow out those lines and then cap them. I left the water at that level and then covered with a mesh cover.

New house, new pool. I now have a 16 x 32 with a tanning ledge. The installer winterized the first year and told me to maintain the water level at least 4 - 5 inches above the ledge.

Gizzmo ultras were used in my skimmers and those lines blowed out. Maintaining water level above tanning ledge. Covered with a solid cover with mesh center drain.

I'm preparing to close and winterize my pool and my question is should I blow out the return lines? If so how do I go about that?

Do I drain below the returns and blow out and cap the lines and fill back up?

Or is there another technique?

Thank you for your time and attention. Any help or directions would be greatly appreciated!
 
Welcome to TFP! :wave: Let's get this thread some action as time may be critical for you now.

my question is should I blow out the return lines? If so how do I go about that?
Yes. A Cyclone blower would be ideal. Push the water out from the equipment pad and plug the jets with a winterizing plug.

Do I drain below the returns and blow out and cap the lines and fill back up?
Not always necessary, but this can vary based on pool type, anticipated rain/snow, type of cover, etc.

Not really sure what the concern is for the tanning ledge itself, but I'm sure others will reply now that I have kicked this off.

Feel free to post pics of your pool and equipment pad and stick close for more replies.

Enjoy the forum.
 
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If your ledge has 5 inches of water covering it, where does that put the level of the pool? As for the returns, there is no need to drain below them; you blow air pressure towards the pool through the returns and while still bubbling, cap the return pipe. Continue using the gizmos and blowing out the skimmer lines.
 
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