Blowing out pool lines with air compressor: The easy way
If you're getting ready for wintertime, blowing out pool lines with air compressor is among the almost all important tasks you'll tackle to prevent cracked pipes and expensive repairs. Truthfully, nobody wants to deal with a frozen, major leak smothered three feet underground when spring progresses around. It's a total nightmare that may cost thousands to fix. Fortunately, when you have a decent air compressor and a little bit of patience, you can deal with this job your self without paying the pool company 100s of dollars to do the precise same thing.
Why you ought to try this yourself
Let's be true: pool maintenance is definitely expensive. Between the particular chemicals, the electrical power for the water pump, and the periodic equipment fail, the costs add up fast. Winterizing is simply an additional one of those chores that seems like a huge burden. But here's the particular thing—it's actually quite straightforward. When you realize the basic physics of pushing air through water-filled water lines, it becomes a lot less intimidating.
Utilizing an air compressor is the most effective way to ensure there's no standing water remaining in the plumbing. While some people attempt to use the shop vac, these usually don't have the "omph" required to push water through deep lines or complicated heating unit setups. An air compressor gives you that steady, pressurized flow that gets the job completed right.
Obtaining the right equipment ready
Before you go out and start sticking hoses straight into your pool tools, you need in order to make sure that your compressor is actually up to the job. You don't need a massive commercial unit, but a tiny tire inflator isn't going to cut it either. You're searching for something that will can provide a good volume of air (CFM) rather than just high pressure (PSI). In fact, high pressure is actually your enemy here—you don't wish to blow your piping apart.
Aside from the compressor, you're should retain a specific adapter. To describe it in a put that screws straight into your pump's empty port or a specialized blow-out plug that will fits into your skimmer. You can find these at nearly all pool supply shops or online. This basically bridges the particular gap between air hose and your pool's plumbing. Grab some Teflon tape too, just to guarantee the seal is restricted.
Preparing the particular pool for the particular blowout
You can't just begin blowing air whilst the system is complete and running. Very first, you need to turn off all the particular power to your pool equipment. Safety first—don't skip this particular. Once the strength is off, you'll wish to lower the particular water level in the pool. A lot of people drop it just below the skimmer mouth.
Next, head over to your filter plus pump. Open the particular air relief valve on top associated with the filter to let the pressure out, then remove the drain plugs through the pump, the particular filter, and the particular heater. Let almost all that water drain out onto the equipment pad. When you have a chlorinator or even a salt cell, now is a good time to drain individuals too. It's a lot of little steps, but missing you could mean a cracked housing afterwards on.
Placing up the air compressor
Now it's time in order to hook things upward. Take your air compressor and fixed the regulator. This is the most critical part: do not go beyond 10-15 PSI. You may think more stress means a faster job, but pool PVC isn't made to handle massive blasts of air stress from a compressor. It's designed with regard to water flow. Keep it low and steady.
Attach your adapter to the pump's drain plug opening or the basket casing. If your compressor has a small container, let it fill completely before a person start. You want a constant stream of air, not a number of brief bursts. Once almost everything is snug, you're ready to begin the actual "blow out" part of the process.
Clearing the skimmer lines first
Usually, it's best to start with the lines closest to the pump, which are usually typically the skimmers. When you have the multiport valve, established it to "Recirculate" to bypass the filter. This makes the air's path a lot easier.
Turn on the compressor and wait. After a couple of seconds, you should hear a bubbling sound coming from the skimmer. Ultimately, that bubbling can become a massive squirt of water since the air forces everything out. As soon as it's just air coming out associated with the skimmer, it's "dry. " At this time, you'll want to shove a silicone expansion plug into the hole in the bottom associated with the skimmer in order to seal it away from. Some people such as to give a "Gizzmo"—that long plastic tube thing—which helps absorb any pressure in the event that ice happens to form later.
Shifting on to the return lines
After the skimmers are done, it's time to tackle the return lines—those are usually the jets where water normally moves back into the pool. This part can be a little like playing Whac-A-Mole. Since air takes the path of least opposition, it's going to desire to come out of the plane closest to the particular pump first.
Let the air blow with the initial jet until it's mostly mist and air, then plug it with a winterizing plug. As soon as that one is usually plugged, the air pressure will proceed down the collection to the next jet. Repeat the particular process until every single return line will be bubbling air and after that plugged tightly. In case you have a dedicated vacuum cleaner line or the pressure-side cleaner range (like for a Polaris), don't forget to hit those out as well.
Dealing with the main strain
The primary drain is the one on the very bottom from the heavy end, and it's the one that will stresses people out the most. Since it's so deep, you're fighting a lot of water excess weight. You probably won't have the ability to "plug" the main drain except if you're a diver, but that's alright.
The trick here is to make an "air lock. " Blow air toward the main depletion until you observe big bubbles surfacing in the center of the pool. Let it bubble for about 30 mere seconds to a minute to ensure the collection is as apparent as you possibly can. Then, rapidly close the valve on the equipment mat that leads to the particular main drain. This traps a column of air within the pipe. Because air is lighter than water, water can't push its way back upward in to the pipe significantly enough to result in freezing damage. It's a little bit of pool magic functions every time.
Final checks and adding antifreeze
Once all the lines are usually plugged and the main drain will be locked, you're formally done with the particular air part. Yet, for extra peace associated with mind, many individuals want to add non-toxic pool antifreeze in order to the lines. Never use automotive antifreeze —it's extremely toxic and will damage your pool water.
Pour the pink pool antifreeze into the skimmer lines before you put the last plugs in, or even use a channel to get it into the lines at the equipment cushion. This is just a safety net. In the event that a little bit of water manages to seep back in or when you didn't obtain every single drop out, the antifreeze prevents it through turning into a solid block of glaciers that could split the PVC.
Wrapping things up
Don't overlook to put your pump and filtration system drain plugs within a safe spot. I usually keep mine in the pump basket so I know exactly where they are whenever spring arrives. Protect your equipment with a heavy-duty tarp or even a specialized cover up in case you live within a place with really harsh winters.
Blowing out pool lines with air compressor might take a good hour or 2 of your Saturday, but the satisfaction associated with knowing your pool is safe will be worth it. Plus, you saved yourself a few hundred dollars. Remember to maintain that pressure reduced, go single line with a time, and double-check your plugs. It's one of those DIY benefits that makes you feel like a professional homeowner. Now, move grab a drink plus enjoy the reality that you won't be dealing with any burst water lines come April!