Pool antifreeze – is it needed? If pool water overflows into the skimmer, or as it slowly fills with rain and snow melt, the water inside of the skimmer, on top of the plug, may freeze during winter. Whenever there is doubt that all of the water has been blown or drained from the pool pipes. The idea is simple. After plugging the main drain (you can pour in some pool antifreeze first if you wish), then you are free to blow out the skimmer line, using a large wet/dry vac, Cyclone blower or air compressor. Many of these pools have only one pipe coming into the pump, unless there was more than one skimmer, or an attached spa. The hole in the bottom allows the cleaner hose to slide through the basket and connect to the skimmer line. The Hole in One Basket solves the problem of your pump basket clogging up with debris when you attach a Suction Side Automatic Cleaner at your skimmer. Similar to the Sylvan set-up, but different, as the drain comes in from the bottom and not the side. Look down into the bottom of the skimmer. The other skimmer has two holes at the bottom . Push the plug down until it comes to rest on the lip of the fitting which is the start of the main drain pipe and then tighten it up. Well, that’s about all I know about winterizing pool skimmers. | InTheSwim Pool Blog, Pingback: FilterBalls – Do They Really Work? When all of the air is out of the line, splash in another cup of pool antifreeze, and then plug the skimmer with a #9 or #10 expansion plug. Water inside the skimmer well that freezes puts extreme outward pressure on the skimmer walls as it expands. The second port is sometimes plumbed as an equalizer line (you'd notice a suction inlet nearby on the pool … You can use threaded plugs with o-ring, rubber expansion plugs of size #9 – #11, or a Gizmo can be used to winterize the skimmer. So, installation of the Hole in One Basket is easy. You could just pour pool antifreeze into the skimmer, on top of the plug, but that makes a slimy mess come springtime, and may overflow out into the pool. You’ll need the water to be below the skimmer to blow out the skimmer pipe, unless you install a Skimmer Plug. Place one sealing gasket on skimmer face, making sure holes in gasket align with holes in skimmer face (a very light application of adhesive cement will assist in holding gasket in place). Or, what we would do is use an extended #8 plug, and reach down into the skimmer, holding the plug with long straight pliers. Protect the Skimmer: After draining and plugging the skimmer, the final and often neglected step must be done. The Hole in One Basket solves the problem of your pump basket clogging up with debris when you attach a Suction Side Automatic Cleaner at your skimmer. To winterize an Old Style Anthony skimmer, one could use also use a double plug, one that is shorter, made with a #8 plug on the bottom, and a #9 plug on the top. You would use the same skimmer adapter or regulator that came with your cleaner. However, the skimmer pin connector would not catch on the second hole of my skimmer … This plugs off the main drain line, and is just below the opening (on the side) to the skimmer pipe. First Hole. Using this plug is also specialized. I hope this was helpful and informative. The weir (aka flapper) has a few functions: 1) it allows for debris floating on the surface to be removed from the pool more easily than without it, 2) it keeps that debris in the skimmer basket area when the pump shuts off, and 3) it prevents gulps of air from entering the pump and filter system while people are in the pool. When empty, plug the hole in the bottom of the skimmer with an expansion plug, Skimmer Guard or Threaded Plug with o-ring. Place gasket on skimmer face, making sure holes in gasket align with holes in skimmer face (a very light application of silicone will help hold the gasket in place). No need to replace the current faceplate, these are made to fit the inner dimensions. Plug the Skimmer: The second step in winterizing a skimmer, after the skimmer pipe has been emptied or blown of water is to plug the pipe so that water can’t get back into the pipe, from the pool, or from precipitation during winter. 2. A spaceship looking diverter (I call it a Turtle), sits in the bottom, and allows for some control of the flow from top-down (skimmer) and bottom-up (drain). The skimmer should be mostly empty of water. To test this, either turn the pump off or close the skimmer valves and run the pump on drain only. Fail to winterize the skimmer properly and you face cracked skimmers and broken pipes come spring. The Skimmer Plug is a new concept. The gaskets are seamed together and extra wide so the opening wall edge cannot get wet, more exposed wall is covered. skimmer cut-out. | InTheSwim Pool Blog, FilterBalls – Do They Really Work? This water will freeze, and may crack the skimmer sidewalls. 10 Hole Swimming Pool Skimmer Faceplate and Gasket Set (8.4 inches) 4.1 out of 5 stars 12. The cover is commonly built right … See my earlier blog post Inground Pool Winterizing Procedures for more information on how to blow out or winterize skimmer pipes. Align skimmer face and gasket with drilled panel holes … On some pools, a builder may have plumbed to the front hole, and plugged the back hole. If you have a separate main drain line, and a sand or DE filter, you can close off or plug the skimmer, and set your filter valve to backwash, waste or drain. All surface debris is trapped in the Hole in One Basket just like a standard skimmer basket. The first two come with a new skimmer faceplate that you install, and a Tupperware™ type of lid snaps onto the front. Also, the suction in a pool is usually divided between the main drain and the skimmer, so one is not dangerously stronger than the other. One is a suction port that leads from the skimmer to the pump. | InTheSwim Pool Blog, Sunbelt Pool Closing for Off-Season Pools | InTheSwim Swimming Pool Blog, Energy Awareness Month – 7 Ways to Save Around the Pool, Has Fall Landed in your Pool? The two … After you have blown out the lines, or filled them with antifreeze and plugged the skimmer there is still one more step. Skimmer: The skimmer is used to circulate water from the top of the pool and to “skim” debris off the water surface. ), the seal is not good, even with the correct plug, so pool antifreeze is called for. It will have either one or two holes, depending on your model. All surface debris is trapped in the Hole in One Basket just like a standard skimmer … If that’s the case for your pool, disconnect the clamp band and carefully (gently) remove the hose from the bottom of the skimmer. In fact, the opposite is true–pool plaster will eventually cause wear on the cleaner. It is critical that the skimmer be in good operating condition and functioning properly; the skimmer basket must be in place at all times and free from damage and the skimmer weir, (flap in the throat of the skimmer … Well one hole at the bottom of the pool skimmer takes water to the pool filter, via the pool pump, to allow it to be cleaned and then returned to the pool by the return line/s. Hoses: After disconnecting the hoses, the water will drain down below the skimmer, and pour out on the ground. The Hole in One Basket solves the problem of your pump basket clogging up with debris when you attach a Suction Side Automatic Cleaner at your skimmer. The first hole in the skimmer leads to the swimming pool … To vacuum this type of pool, one uses a ‘skimmer stick’, a piece of 1-1/4″ black pipe that drops down into the skimmer, and effectively blocks off the suction from the drain. | InTheSwim Pool Blog, Pingback: Sunbelt Pool Closing for Off-Season Pools | InTheSwim Swimming Pool Blog, Pool Shock: Best Shock for your Pool Type, What Happens If I Don’t Close My Pool? ... which suggests greater durability than one made of plastic. Pingback: What Happens If I Don’t Close My Pool? These holes lead to the main drain and to the pool pump. Access the clogged skimmer area by lifting its plastic cover off. ProTuff Pool Net. The return lines are also located directly below the skimmer, on the wall. A simple solution to a big problem. Open up the pump lid and remove the drain plugs to make it easier to blow out. Make sure that rubber plugs have a good, tight fit. These above ground pool … The way we would do it is to push it into the skimmer hole, about 3/4 of the way down, and then blow air from the pump towards the skimmer. Northern pools should blow the lines out with air. The best method is to use air to blow out the line. Combo Skimmer: Side by Side: A “combo skimmer” is one which has the main drain plumbed into the skimmer, to reduce cost by not running a separate pipe for the main drain all the way back to the pump, with a separate valve to control the main drain flow. Anytime you are unable to blow out a line completely, you can pour in pool antifreeze (propylene glycol), at a measured amount of 1 gallon for every 10 feet of pipe. The idea is simple. If your pool has more than one skimmer, they may join each other underground, or if you have a separate valve for each, in front of the pump, then they do not. The weight of the antifreeze holds the bottle down into the water as it fills up, and when it freezes, it will collapse the sides of the bottle instead of the sides of your skimmer. Drill your marked faceplate holes with a 1/4” drill bit and use snips to cut out your marked … Hold it firmly over the hole while you turn on the vac, to blow water from the skimmer to the pump. Add pool antifreeze to the skimmer, on top of the plug. In that skimmer the rear one (furthest from the pool) draws in the pool water from the skimmer, just as the one in the other skimmer does, and is where I plug in my vacuum hose. A skimmer is a necessary element of keeping a pool clean. The hole in the bottom allows the cleaner hose to slide through the basket and connect to the skimmer line. Pool antifreeze is also used for winterizing a pool skimmer, as mentioned above, to keep water from freezing inside of the skimmer well, and cracking the skimmer. This is a very specialized plug, we used to sell it, but I no longer see it on our website… I see that other online retailers carry it however. For the back hole, the pipe that runs to the skimmer, blow out the line with a wet/dry vac, Cyclone blower or air compressor. This type of skimmer … If each skimmer in your pool has its own dedicated skimmer valve, be sure to close all other valves except the valve for the skimmer that you’ll be using to vacuum the pool. No complicated adjustments to get the right fit. For most above ground pools, the skimmer is exposed, and it’s easy to remove the hose that connects to the filter system. Alternatively, you can use pool antifreeze in the pipe, adding one gallon for every 10 feet of pipe. With the addition of some pool antifreeze (see below), this may be a suitable skimmer winterization for a pool in growing zones 7-10. Brilliant! All surface debris is trapped in the Hole in One Basket just like a standard skimmer … To prevent the skimmer from filling up with rain water during the winter, you can use a piece of heavy plastic, placed under a tightly fitting skimmer cover, that will block rain and snow melt from dripping into the skimmer. Don’t pour pool antifreeze into your pool equipment – pump, filter, heater. 3. This also acts as your vacuum hose port for vacuuming the pool. Be careful to hold the plug while blowing air, it could blow straight up and injure someone. And since the skimmer is not connected to any pipes, there is no need to plug the skimmer, any rain or pool water that gets in will simply drain out. Over time, the ground will soften and your pool may start to list to one side. Ripping up your pool … Swimming Pool Main Drains must be installed in accordance with the VIRGINIA GRAEME BAKER POOL AND … And never add antifreeze to a chlorinator, a reaction could occur. Skimmer Box Gaskets (Qty 2), Navy Blue Grip Seal - Never Leak Pool Liner Technology for Above Ground Pool … Keep the flow. Skimmers with a second hole help keep the pump from running dry if the water level is unstable. The hole in the bottom allows the cleaner hose to slide through the basket and connect to the skimmer line. “good” pool plaster. The skimmer sits at the waterline and catches leaves, bugs and trash so they do not clog the filter. The other comes up from the main drain. Each gallon will treat 10 feet of pool pipe. Hot Tub Covers & Year-Round Outdoor Spas – Cover Smart! Are the two holes you refer to at the bottom of the skimmer well? Remove the pump lid and pump drain plugs, and stick the wet/dry vac hose down into the skimmer,. One hole, the one to the rear of the skimmer goes directly to the pump. To winterize a skimmer, just pour pool antifreeze into the skimmer. If you have more than one skimmer, do each one separately, and you can pull most of the water out of the line. This unwanted material collects in the basket in the skimmer … For other pipes, you can introduce the antifreeze with a funnel and hose set-up. Extreme Leaf Removal. After bubbling air out of the drain for about 30 seconds, quickly slam the plug down to its full depth and tighten up the wingnut, while the blower is still blowing. Drain the Skimmer: The first step must be to lower the water level in the pool below the skimmer. Get a large wet/dry vac, rent or borrow if you don’t have one, and reverse the hose so that it blows air out, instead of sucking air in. The ProTuff pool net is a skimmer that comes with a lifetime guarantee. This gives the pool builder some flexibility in how to connect the plumbing pipes underneath the skimmer. To winterize a skimmer, in a nutshell, is to remove all of the water from the skimmer body, and the skimmer pipe. Pool main drain covers are flat with the openings on top. PoolSkim. For threaded plugs, the o-ring is important, and using Teflon tape on the threads adds another layer of security. Better to leave the hose connected, so that the skimmer drains several feet away from the pool. Typically the plugs used are a #7 on the bottom and a #9 on the top. To winterize an Old Style Sylvan skimmer, one would use a long double plug, which has two plugs mounted on a long brass rod. An essential part of the skimmer is the floating weir, which is a swinging door located inside the opening. Align skimmer face and sealing gasket with drilled holes … If you have questions about skimmer winterization, leave a comment below or call our helpful pool winterization specialists! WEBSITE: http://www.swimmingpoollearning.com/In this video I show you how to remove debris from your pool line. Bring an essential and ultimate addition to your swimming pool area with this HDX Heavy-Duty Swimming Pool Leaf Skimmer. Automotive antifreeze is toxic. The idea is simple. While blowing, air (and water spray) will be blowing up out of the skimmer, and eventually air will bubble out of the drain. Swimming Pool Plumbing Diagrams 1 Standard Skimmer with 2 Main Drains & 3 Returns. Automatically adjusts to water level changes; Takes strain off your dedicated filtration … One, the furthest away from the pool pump, has only one opening at the bottom (it actually has two but one is blocked). Winterizing a pool skimmer is a topic worthy of discussion this time of year. New on the market for winterizing inground and above ground vinyl pool skimmers is the Skimmer Plug, which seals up against the inside of your existing skimmer faceplate for a water tight winter skimmer plug. Nothing is done with the front hole, since there is no pipe connected. Dedicated Skimmer: This type of skimmer is a dedicated skimmer line, no other line is connected into the skimmer. FREE Shipping. Pour antifreeze into the main drain hole, about 1/2 gallon, and you’ll notice that the heavy pool antifreeze will cause the water in the main drain pipe to drop, or go lower in the pipe. Over the winter, the skimmer will fill up with water, splashing in from the pool, or from rain and snow melt leaking in around the skimmer lid. On very old Sylvan skimmers, especially Aluminum skimmers (any of those still out there? This type of arrangement is best blown out with air, from the skimmer to the pump. 1. When you look down into your pool skimmer, you may see two holes, one at 12 o’clock and another opposite hole, at 6 o’clock. Then, you need to plug the pipe or otherwise keep the water from getting back into the skimmer pipe. These holes are where the pool plumbing attaches to the skimmer. To vacuum this type of pool, one uses a ‘skimmer stick’, a piece of 1-1/4″ black pipe that drops down into the skimmer, and effectively blocks off the suction from the drain. empty winter algaecide bottle, about one-third full, cap it, and drop it in the skimmer. To break up the ice sheet and protect the skimmer, use one of these three methods. Fill a quart or gallon jug 1/3 full of pool antifreeze, and drop in skimmer, or…, Use a Skimmer Guard or Gizmo type of skimmer plug, or…. Pipes: If your pool equipment is hard plumbed, with rigid PVC pipe instead of removable hoses, you’ll need to use other methods. Be sure to use rigid hose (not backwash hose, which can fill with ice all the way up to the skimmer), so that the water will run out unimpeded. These mighty-sized, one-piece gaskets are designed to inhibit rust where it is most likely to start, at the skimmer opening. It’s hinged at the bottom and helps ensure that the water being drawn into the skimmer is limited to the top layer, optimizing efficiency and maximizing the amount of debris that’s pulled out of the pool. Just line it up so that the hole is over the automatic cleaner’s skimmer adapter and put the lead cleaner hose through the hole. The equalizer helps to prevent air from … The same situation holds true for vinyl-lined in-ground swimming pools, because vinyl liners are also affected by the environment and factors such as pool water chemistry, sunlight and the pool… Most skimmers have threads … All surface debris is trapped in the Hole in One Basket just like a standard skimmer … The idea is simple. No Vacuum Plates to adjust or install. If enough is pool antifreeze is used, you could avoid blowing the lines all together. Combo Skimmer: Old Style Anthony: In this type of combination skimmer, used by Anthony pools in the 70’s and 80’s, the main drain line is tied into the pipe beneath the skimmer, not visible from above. As it drops, quickly plug the main drain hole with a properly fitting plug, twisting it tightly in place. Blow air from the skimmer towards the pump, with the pump lid and drain plugs removed. Be sure to use an extended plug, so you can reach it with pliers, and it must be #8, a smaller plug could slip into the main drain line, which creates a real headache trying to get it back out, and a larger plug won’t go down far enough. Make sure to only use product labeled non-toxic Pool Antifreeze. Now use your skimmer faceplate as a template to mark your faceplate holes and skimmer opening. Remove the skimmer basket and locate the two holes at the bottom of the skimmer. 95. If you don’t use a Skimmer Gizmo, you will want to use something to absorb the ice that forms inside of the skimmer. They can run a pipe from the main drain into the front hole of the skimmer, and then the back hole … To winterize this type of skimmer, first lower the water in the pool to your winter level (4″ below skimmer for solid covers, 12″ below for mesh covers). Let the pump lower the water at least an inch below the skimmer opening, then slowly open the skimmer valve to suck all, or most, of the water out of the pipe. This is the most common type of arrangement, on pools built in the last 20 years. The PT Skimmer features a tamper-proof cover with a stackable deck collar that allows 2" vertical height extension, self-adjusting weir which accommodates fluctuations in water level, integral flow control … On our list of the 5 common causes of pool leaks, one that may be considered a pool owner’s worst fear is a leak in the skimmer pipe. It can damage sensitive pool parts. Finally, you’ll need to have some protection from rain water or pool water that will get into the skimmer well; freeze, expand and crack the skimmer. Store the hoses indoors for the winter, along with the entire pump and filter system, if you can manage that. The hole in the bottom allows the cleaner hose to slide through the basket and connect to the skimmer line. This type of skimmer can be identified by the presence of single main drains in the deep end, and also in the shallow end. Made of soft but rigid rubber, it pushes into your existing skimmer faceplate, making a tight seal around the inside of the faceplate opening. If your pool has more than one skimmer, you’ll want to plug the vacuum hose into the skimmer closest to the pool pump to give you the maximum vacuum force. Alternatively, you can fill the pipes up with pool antifreeze and then install the plug. The Hole in One Basket solves the problem of your pump basket clogging up with debris when you attach a Suction Side Automatic Cleaner at your skimmer. Yes and no. Made of durable material. Like the Old Style Sylvan, the skimmer will have a single hole, but Anthony used a threaded diverter that inserts into the hole and could be turned from Full Skim to Full Drain. The second hole, called an equalizer, connects to either the drain inlet at the bottom of the pool … It helps filter out dirt and particles, including leaves, from entering a pool's water filtration system. All of these allow seal up the opening to the skimmer, to keep the pool water from entering the skimmer. A skimmer must be installed with an equalizer line, which is a pipe that connects from the bottom of the skimmer basket through the pool wall and into the water. When should non-toxic pool antifreeze be used? A pool skimmer is located next to a pool, above ground or inground. You can use a 5hp Shop Vac™, a Cyclone blower, or a small air compressor to do the job. Ethylene Glycol should never be used in winterizing a skimmer or pool. When should you use pool antifreeze in the skimmer, and when is it not necessary, except for extra peace of mind? However, it may not be wise to have the skimmer constantly drain water up against the edge of the pool. Combo Skimmer: Old Style Sylvan: In this type of combination skimmer, used by Sylvan pools in the 70’s and 80’s, the main drain line is tied into the pipe underneath the skimmer, and is not visible from above. What we like to do is pour pool antifreeze into a (clean!) In this arrangement, the front hole has been plumbed with a pipe from the main drain, and the back hole is connected to the pipe that runs back to the pump. $9.95 $ 9.
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