Air Bubbles After Winterizing... PLEASE HELP!

[tdreiner]

Hello, I'm a long time reader, first time poster.

I am closing my pool this year for the first time since it's been installed ~10 years. I have lowered the water line 1 inch below the skimmers and installed a air fitting in the pump basket housing. I have a 60 gallon air compressor which is able to maintain 20PSI during line blow out. After plugging all 3 returns, 2 skimmers, and 2 step returns, I noticed air bubbles forming from 2 of the 3 side returns and from both skimmer baskets. I am plugging the returns with traditional plugs and the skimmers with gizmos with copious amounts of tape for a good seal. The bubbles on the skimmers are maybe 1/32 in diameter, very very small, the ones coming from the returns are larger and more pronounced.

Here is a link to one of the returns air bubbles: Shared album - Tim Reiner - Google Photos

The bubbles aren't coming out of the returns, but must be coming from behind the return through the plate that has screws into the side of the pool. I live in central NJ where it does freeze a decent amount, my concern is that after the air escapes the line, water will take its place and cause a whole lot of damage. In the past the people that have closed my pool have just used a blower so I don't believe the same level of pressurization has taken place which is why I've never seen any issues... that along with the fact it gets covered almost immediately. Can someone provide some insight? Should I be worried? If I take the plate off do I just need to put more teflon tape and reinstalled? I can't really find anything regarding this issue.

28,000 gallon in ground pool
Located in NJ
Hayward Superpump
Pentair 520 Cartridge

 

[JohnT]

One of my returns won’t seal. I take the plate off and put two gaskets behind it and then tighten the plug to get a seal.

 

[tdreiner]

JohnT, thanks for the reply... I've tried to find the exploded part view of this assembly with no success. Your saying if I take out the 4 screws, there is a gasket behind there which is leaking air due to pressure? I suspect that most likely it will allow water to flow into the pipe after the pressure subsides. Do you agree? I can tell that the bubbles are NOT coming from the plug but it seems like they are coming from where the male threads stick out from the flange. For reference I took another video and grabbed a snapshot as well.

Shared album - Tim Reiner - Google Photos

 

[Rscary5]

I had a similar issue today trying to close my pool. I was blowing out the return lines (water at normal level) and while it was blowing out, I put a threaded plug in with teflon tape. I tightened it as tight as I could and I still had bubbles from the shop vac blowing out from somewhere. Tried a black plug and it did the same thing. I'm probably in the same boat as you tdreiner. I ended up dropping the water level to just below the returns to play it safe.

 

[Catanzaro]

It appears your plug is in the eyeball thread. Your face plate cover should be almost flush with the pool, unless it is a design that is part of the cover, but I do not believe so. Please upload pictures of the eyeballs you removed from where you placed the black plug. There is a difference between air leaking behind the black plug and the actual gasket.

Rscary5: Threaded plugs leak (I do not like them and have had no luck). Black plugs should not leak if flush and tightened properly (I use goggles to ensure a flush fit and tighten until no more air bubbles), then move on to the next return. Always best to work under water so you can see air escaping.

 

[tdreiner]

Catanzaro (Fellow Monmouth County Resident!) - Below is a picture of the opening with the plug removed. I notated where the air bubbles were coming out of. Do I need a smaller black plug (the one I used was a #8) and get it to expand farther back in the return line to avoid the eyeball mount? OR should I take off the 4 screws, replace/add another gasket, remount, and then use the same #8 at the same depth of the plug in my picture? Am I in the same boat for the gizmos or do you think I just need more teflon tape?

 

[Pool_Medic]

Correct me if I am wrong, but you neglected to remove the mpt fitting that holds your eyeball cover on. That should be removed with the eyeball, then you are plugging the actual return fitting.

 

[Catanzaro]

Correct me if I am wrong, but you neglected to remove the mpt fitting that holds your eyeball cover on. That should be removed with the eyeball, then you are plugging the actual return fitting.

I believe Pool Medic hit this on the nose. I had mentioned this to you in the previous post. If the 1.5" return fitting does not come out or is part of the housing, and this is how all the returns are (I believe there are threads on the eyeball), then you will need to purchase a deeper type of winter plug. Hard to tell. Take 2 needle nose pliers (3 and 9 o'clock"). Place a cloth on the piece around the adapter, and gentle rotate counter clockwise to see if it comes out. If you can not easily remove (do not bang on anything or put a lot of pressure), as it should come out. We have seen this before.

 

[Pool_Medic]

SP1419T will make it easier to remove those that are stuck.No special plug is needed once removed. Threaded closing plugs with Teflon tape will seal it up tight.

 

[tdreiner]

Guys,
Thanks for the assistance. I removed the threads and reinstalled the plugs, no more bubbles. I also removed the gizmos, applied more teflon tape and reinstalled. Everything not looks great no bubbles. I appreciate your assistance!!!! I guess the real proof will be next year when I open it up.
Thanks again!

 

[Neemer]

I love success stories!

 

[Catanzaro]

Guys,
Thanks for the assistance. I removed the threads and reinstalled the plugs, no more bubbles. I also removed the gizmos, applied more teflon tape and reinstalled. Everything not looks great no bubbles. I appreciate your assistance!!!! I guess the real proof will be next year when I open it up.
Thanks again!

How did you get the threads out? Did you clear the lines again? Lastly, please add your signature.

Pool School - Read This BEFORE You Post

 

[tdreiner]

Used the needle nose pliers and was able to put them in the grooves and rotate them. I then blew out the lines again, no leaks.