Hello,
We recently built new vinyl inground pool (steel walls with concrete bottom and liner) with skimmer that has 2 ports on it. One port goes to pump line and other goes to equalizer line or equalizer intake about 2 feet below skimmer which is supposed to draw water when skimmer cannot (if water falls below skimmer line). What we found however is that equalizer port was drawing water irregradless so we closed the equalizer port until we could do some further testing.
Now the pool is ready to be closed and its winter time almost and temperatures are getting colder, so wanted to know whether we should drop water below equalizer (currently equalizer is capped on both ends and was like this for last few months) or should we simply drop water level below return jets. Someone recommended just dropping below return jets (approx 1 inch), while someone else said it should be dropped below the equalizer intake port in the pool which is 2 feet below skimmer.
Can anyone let us know whether we should drop water below equalizer or just below return jets when winterizing this pool. Also we would like to install safety cover (mesh based) after, so will the water level impact anything like liner or safety cover? It does snow a lot here in winter time and safety cover will carry heavy snow weight.
Please let us know.
Thank you.
We recently built new vinyl inground pool (steel walls with concrete bottom and liner) with skimmer that has 2 ports on it. One port goes to pump line and other goes to equalizer line or equalizer intake about 2 feet below skimmer which is supposed to draw water when skimmer cannot (if water falls below skimmer line). What we found however is that equalizer port was drawing water irregradless so we closed the equalizer port until we could do some further testing.
Now the pool is ready to be closed and its winter time almost and temperatures are getting colder, so wanted to know whether we should drop water below equalizer (currently equalizer is capped on both ends and was like this for last few months) or should we simply drop water level below return jets. Someone recommended just dropping below return jets (approx 1 inch), while someone else said it should be dropped below the equalizer intake port in the pool which is 2 feet below skimmer.
Can anyone let us know whether we should drop water below equalizer or just below return jets when winterizing this pool. Also we would like to install safety cover (mesh based) after, so will the water level impact anything like liner or safety cover? It does snow a lot here in winter time and safety cover will carry heavy snow weight.
Please let us know.
Thank you.
You'll see mixed personal opinions and practices by members as to how low they take the water (below the skimmer only or also below the return jets). In your case, you have a 3rd concern - the equalizer. I personally don't think you need to go below that port. Since it's been plugged for a while, you do have the option of trying to blow some air in there if you can just for insurance, but most people also take advantage of prepping the skimmer itself with an expanding/sealing product like a "Gizmo" or even by placing pool noodles or empty plastic milk jugs in there to help absorb expanding water if it freezes. If you do drop the water level below the return jets, it's possible that water level will just rise back up following the seasonal rain/snow, but it may help during the closing process as you attempt to blow air in the lines.