I am closing my pool. The pool store has in the past. I have all the slamming, decreased water levels, etc. all finished. Just want to make sure my lines are blown out properly. I have an inground with 1 skimmer, 2 returns and main drain. I have the cut off valve to main drain, etc at the pump. I plan on using a 5 HP Shop Vac. Should I blow out from skimmer? Do I need to close any valves, etc? any advice is welcome. Thank you
Proper Way To Blow Out Lines
- Thread starter KyTom
- Start date
KyTom:
The 5 HP Shop Vac should be successful in clearing the one skimmer, two returns, but probably not the main drain. Do you have an air compressor to work with? The only valve that is to be shut off is the main drain with an "air lock". The skimmer is plugged usually with a Gizzmo or black plug and the returns with black plugs.
If you look at the post below, you will see where the air compressor hose with the adapter and an NPT fitting will work. Thanks!
The concept of closing an in ground swimming pool
The 5 HP Shop Vac should be successful in clearing the one skimmer, two returns, but probably not the main drain. Do you have an air compressor to work with? The only valve that is to be shut off is the main drain with an "air lock". The skimmer is plugged usually with a Gizzmo or black plug and the returns with black plugs.
If you look at the post below, you will see where the air compressor hose with the adapter and an NPT fitting will work. Thanks!
The concept of closing an in ground swimming pool
blakeusa
In The Industry
I prefer a shop vac over the special pool blowers as you can suction water out of drains and blow with them too.
I use a compressor from the pump area and then use the suction of the shop vac at the skimmers, spa and fountains.
And yes you will need a basic compressor for your main drain - then air lock it with a valve or plug.
I use a compressor from the pump area and then use the suction of the shop vac at the skimmers, spa and fountains.
And yes you will need a basic compressor for your main drain - then air lock it with a valve or plug.
Exactly what I do and use both:
• First, I shut off the main drain by closing the valve. Then I shut off the second skimmer. Now, I turn on the Cyclone. As the water is gushing out of the skimmer, I have a wet vac handy and suck the water out of the skimmer simultaneously.
Thanks for all the information. I blew out all the lines in a snap. I blew out the skimmer and return lines using my 5 hp shop vac from the skimmer. Then, I used the air compressor to blow out the main drain line from the pump. Thank you.
i usually use the pool pump to mostly clear the skimmer line before i attach the modified cover w/cyclone. when i then blow out skimmer line with the cyclone, not much comes out. before doing this of course, i isolate the skimmer line by closing valve to main drain. if you do not drain the pool water level below the skimmer opening (like i dont), install the gizmo in the skimmer before clearing that line.
just another way to skin the cat. no animals were harmed in this procedure.
Just had to finish up a closing or a friend (ran into a little problem), and because there was no water in the spillover spa, I used my little shop vac (not large one), which had the perfect 1.5" fitting that adapter to the modified cover and cleared the lines. A shop vac will work if the water is lowered below the returns and skimmers. Doubt highly this would work on the main drain and an air compressor or Cyclone would be needed.
This is my first year doing this. When you say "air lock", do you mean close the valve to the main drain after blowing the line, or is there something special I need for the main drain? Thanks!
As Cat said, yes. just to be sure you understand, close the valve while still blowing, not after you turn the blower off.