Great video!! There are several different techniques to do this, but if you blow your lines out and air lock your main properly you will not need antifreeze. It only serves as a back up incase of a failed seal somewhere. It's a good idea and I am glad I used it because of a Gizmo that shifted out of place when the water froze. Instead of a Gizmo, I thread an 18" piece of schedule 88 into the skimmer box that elevates to the bottom of the skimmer lid and stuff the box full of pool noodles and a few water bottles. Don't forget to use pool noodles in the mouth of the skimmer as well if you are leaving your water that high for the auto cover to have some support for those heavy snow loads!!
I know this is an older post. Can you describe or send pic of the “street 90” connection that connects the hose to filter? Is it threaded? Also what type of hose it it? Cheers!
Great video! My skimmer is taking in water after I put a new skimmer winterizing plastic plate to cover the opening. We live in Montana so we get a lot of snow on the cover. Usually we leave the water level half way up the skimmer. Should I drain the water down below skimmer? This would put more pressure on the cover from snow? Do I need to put a bead of silicone around the skimmer? Maybe it has a small leak between skimmer plate and vinyl? Right now we have a gallon of antifreeze in the skimmer with the water that has seeped in. Help it’s starting to freeze in Montana! Thanks!!!
Hi wonder why my guy didn’t put any antifreeze in my pipes, he also didn’t lower my pool level at all, and then the safety cover allowed the first snow storm in November to fill to brim of the longer meaning pool and skimmers then full w water! Four or five months left to go. Had drained 8 inches out of pool added antifreeze to skimmers but it’s a matter of a storm to overfill it all again (New York here, feeling lost lol)
@@LizAlexy you’re all good Liz.There’s some people who don’t put antifreeze in the lines and it’s not the end of the world as long as they are blown out correctly and you don’t need to drain it. as long as there’s a gizmo in the skimmer or the skimmer is plugged with a bottle in it to absorb any ice expanding contracting which is what we do and as far as it overfilling that just kinda happens, it’s just the way it goes sometimes with those harsher climate areas
Oh ok. What do you mean a bottle in it? Do you mean a closed empty soda bottle or something? At least I got some water out lol, but let me know about the bottles sizes and how to do it and I can
@@jonport_thank you v much I’m like freaked my skimmers are gonna burst, we have teens the next night here my dogs water bowls stared to freeze outside
We use a empty gal jug from the antifreeze, take off the cap flip up side down, push in the the skimmer and wedge it from the mouth of the skimmer and the back side of the skimmer. As long as it stays in the skimmer (not floating) that’s what matters how ever you get it to stay.
@@jonport_ thanks again for your response! I was actually thinking to syphon more water out of the pool, to get it several inches down since it’s still only like 2-3 inches below natural pool water line when opened. I can also try to put the antifreeze bottle w cap off wedged in there. It sounds like you mean to wedge it right over the weir (?) into the body of the skimmer where the gizmo is? It’s so cold out there lol
I live in Georgia so it doesn’t get extremely cold. I usually run my freeze protection but I’m having trouble with my water level dropping in the spa and the jets blowing water everywhere… so this year I decided to close it. I asked a local pool company and the said that all they do is pull the plugs for all the equipment and drop the water level. So I did all that and I sucked all the water out of the skimmer lines and put antifreeze in them. But, my returns are pound in fittings so I don’t know how to plug them off they are not threaded??Hopefully what they told me is true and I won’t have any issues. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you!
Rubber plugs should work? The ones i use. I wouldn’t know exactly because im not sure whats on your pool but its a pretty universal plug. Dropping the water level will work. It’s not my favorite way to do it. It sounds like your spa is leaking. Have you tried detecting for leaks?
hi Jonathan can I reinstall a safety cover by myself how do you go about it ? i have a rectangle pool 16x32 so slide it into place and clip all of one side on or basically get as much springs on with hand then do rest with pole and everything will be alright with cover ? my first time installing cover on my own just bought house .
Do you add chemicals 12-24 hours prior to turning off the filter or do you shut off the filter then add chemicals? If I allow the water with the chemicals to flow through the filter, am I losing chemicals since I will be emptying the water in the filter? I have 30,000-32,000 gallons of water. Is this enough chemicals to winterize, 4 gallons of liquid shock, 1 bottle of winter algaecide, 1 bottle of pool magic, 2 gallons rv anti freeze.
@@JJ-fg4wp we don’t put any chemicals in our pools before we close them, but you definitely can if you want to working with your local supplier getting your water tested, and all that, but if you are, yes, I would run it through the system and then shut it down
Stupid question - any special considerations for the water that lives in the pool itself over the winter? I imagine that water will be subject to the temps and freeze at times?
@jonport_ i don't know. It's the 16x38 liberty. 2 jets on the front, 1 on the side , 2 giant intakes down on the back bottom by the floor, then 1 skimmer intake that has two holes in it. We only have one pump and filter. Sorry I don't know for sure.
hello, I'm looking to close my pool for the first time and am confused about where I should insert my blower attachment to blow out the return line. I have a hayward pump & sand filter. Can I feed my blower into the other end of the pump or the backwash waste port? I think the only detachable union I have is between the heater and the automatic chlorinator. I have a small semi-inground pool with 1 return and 1 skimmer. Thank you
Hello, just curious on the return lines at the bottom of the deep end how exactly do I prevent those from filling back up my return lines? Sorry I’m sure you’ve covered this but I’m thinking I missed it. Please & thank you…also can that blower be bought at a pool store or where might I attempt to vacuum the lines out? Thx!
The line on the floor are the drains, separate from the return lines. Once you blow them out you will air lock it buy shutting the valve. Hope that makes sense. Some people have those blowers or you can get them on line i believe. Definitely worth the money if you are going to do yours every year
Amazing video!!! Do you do more then winterize them? I am having a problem with my pool losing compression. So the pump will slowly stop sucking. None of the lines have cracks. If I unplug the pump and wait 2 minutes and plug it back in it works again for like 5-10 minutes. Also if I shut the skimmer line off and leave just the center on it runs longer.
Great video, I feel comfortable closing my pool myself for the first time this year. One thing I don't understand: Is there a concern with keeping the compressor on and plugging all the drains and returns? Will the pressure continue to build and potentially blow a pipe?
I have been told two different things about if we have to drain the pool for the winter or not. We have an automatic cover, so the current company is saying that we do not have to drain the pool and the automatic cover will not be harmed with the weight of snow as long as we keep the suction device on the top. Is this true?
Yeah, you’ll rip your cover off the track if you do that. Snow doesn’t pump lol. You can close your pool without draining the pool. As you can see in the video, that’s all we do.
@@jonport_ Thats highly advised against at least where Im from. If you dont drain your pool the precipitation over the winter can actually cause your pool to overflow and turn to ice on the concrete. Ive seen it happen
@@jonport_ yeah, when I blow the water from pump to skimmer, there’s always the water sitting in the skimmer since not all of it blows above and away from it. Maybe it’s my technique.
@@jonport_ so first use a vacuum to blow out the pipes from the pump back, then as the water blowing out becomes mist add the gizzmo and it should be good? (I’m a new pool owner with a 40 x 20 pool)
wow you REALLY need to remake this video.....i bet if any new pool owner watched this for advice theyd have a hundred questions....seems to me a lot was left out, id say more than 50%
![CAMPปลิ้น | รวม Highlight 2024! PART [1/2]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/6hnvNnvYloU/mqdefault.jpg)
Great video!! There are several different techniques to do this, but if you blow your lines out and air lock your main properly you will not need antifreeze. It only serves as a back up incase of a failed seal somewhere. It's a good idea and I am glad I used it because of a Gizmo that shifted out of place when the water froze. Instead of a Gizmo, I thread an 18" piece of schedule 88 into the skimmer box that elevates to the bottom of the skimmer lid and stuff the box full of pool noodles and a few water bottles. Don't forget to use pool noodles in the mouth of the skimmer as well if you are leaving your water that high for the auto cover to have some support for those heavy snow loads!!
Great insight. Thank you for the comment.
😊
I know this is an older post. Can you describe or send pic of the “street 90” connection that connects the hose to filter? Is it threaded?
Also what type of hose it it?
Cheers!
Great video! My skimmer is taking in water after I put a new skimmer winterizing plastic plate to cover the opening. We live in Montana so we get a lot of snow on the cover. Usually we leave the water level half way up the skimmer. Should I drain the water down below skimmer? This would put more pressure on the cover from snow? Do I need to put a bead of silicone around the skimmer? Maybe it has a small leak between skimmer plate and vinyl? Right now we have a gallon of antifreeze in the skimmer with the water that has seeped in.
Help it’s starting to freeze in Montana! Thanks!!!
Thanks ron🙏🏻. So you don’t want to leave the water that you normally leave it out because you think it’s leaking or you’re trying to change methods?
I think you use the RV antifreeze because it’s not as toxic as regular antifreeze. Not the price. Great video
yes, lol do not use regular antifreeze.
Do I need the antifreeze if I am in southern California?
No. You should be fine.
Hi wonder why my guy didn’t put any antifreeze in my pipes, he also didn’t lower my pool level at all, and then the safety cover allowed the first snow storm in November to fill to brim of the longer meaning pool and skimmers then full w water! Four or five months left to go. Had drained 8 inches out of pool added antifreeze to skimmers but it’s a matter of a storm to overfill it all again (New York here, feeling lost lol)
@@LizAlexy you’re all good Liz.There’s some people who don’t put antifreeze in the lines and it’s not the end of the world as long as they are blown out correctly and you don’t need to drain it. as long as there’s a gizmo in the skimmer or the skimmer is plugged with a bottle in it to absorb any ice expanding contracting which is what we do and as far as it overfilling that just kinda happens, it’s just the way it goes sometimes with those harsher climate areas
Oh ok. What do you mean a bottle in it? Do you mean a closed empty soda bottle or something? At least I got some water out lol, but let me know about the bottles sizes and how to do it and I can
@@jonport_thank you v much I’m like freaked my skimmers are gonna burst, we have teens the next night here my dogs water bowls stared to freeze outside
We use a empty gal jug from the antifreeze, take off the cap flip up side down, push in the the skimmer and wedge it from the mouth of the skimmer and the back side of the skimmer. As long as it stays in the skimmer (not floating) that’s what matters how ever you get it to stay.
@@jonport_ thanks again for your response! I was actually thinking to syphon more water out of the pool, to get it several inches down since it’s still only like 2-3 inches below natural pool water line when opened. I can also try to put the antifreeze bottle w cap off wedged in there. It sounds like you mean to wedge it right over the weir (?) into the body of the skimmer where the gizmo is? It’s so cold out there lol
Great video! Why don’t you lower the water level before starting? It seems a lot of companies do that?
@@chucklakes2345 it’s totally unnecessary as long as you blow out all the lines air lock the drains them put antifreeze in them. You’re good to go.
Finally a real pool guy blowing/plugging live with pool full. Why did you use rubbers as opposed to threaded plugs for return lines?
Haha. I I guess we’re outliers lol We just like them better. Personal preference
I wish I could figure out a good way to get anti freeze in my main drain. Makes me nervous relying on the airlock during an Iowa winter.
@@cwsosby7145 you can just dump it in with water in there. There’s a lot of guys that use this method in those northern climates.
Thank you for the video. What kind of vac blower is used?
@@stephaniewellington-sandin6547 thank you. It’s called big blue blower motor.
I live in Georgia so it doesn’t get extremely cold. I usually run my freeze protection but I’m having trouble with my water level dropping in the spa and the jets blowing water everywhere… so this year I decided to close it. I asked a local pool company and the said that all they do is pull the plugs for all the equipment and drop the water level. So I did all that and I sucked all the water out of the skimmer lines and put antifreeze in them. But, my returns are pound in fittings so I don’t know how to plug them off they are not threaded??Hopefully what they told me is true and I won’t have any issues. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you!
Rubber plugs should work? The ones i use. I wouldn’t know exactly because im not sure whats on your pool but its a pretty universal plug.
Dropping the water level will work. It’s not my favorite way to do it. It sounds like your spa is leaking. Have you tried detecting for leaks?
The antifreeze in the returns, in the spring time are you just opening the returns abd the antifreeze goes in the pool?
Yes.
hi Jonathan can I reinstall a safety cover by myself how do you go about it ? i have a rectangle pool 16x32 so slide it into place and clip all of one side on or basically get as much springs on with hand then do rest with pole and everything will be alright with cover ? my first time installing cover on my own just bought house .
Yeah, that’ll work. Are the Pin’s already set for the Springs?
Do you add chemicals 12-24 hours prior to turning off the filter or do you shut off the filter then add chemicals? If I allow the water with the chemicals to flow through the filter, am I losing chemicals since I will be emptying the water in the filter? I have 30,000-32,000 gallons of water. Is this enough chemicals to winterize, 4 gallons of liquid shock, 1 bottle of winter algaecide, 1 bottle of pool magic, 2 gallons rv anti freeze.
@@JJ-fg4wp we don’t put any chemicals in our pools before we close them, but you definitely can if you want to working with your local supplier getting your water tested, and all that, but if you are, yes, I would run it through the system and then shut it down
The gizmo goes in the front or back hole ?
@@jperks6943 there should only be one unless there’s an equalizer drain
Stupid question - any special considerations for the water that lives in the pool itself over the winter? I imagine that water will be subject to the temps and freeze at times?
Nor worries. Not at all. Pools are built to handle freeze cycles. You’re good for the majority of the US especially here in the Midwest you’re fine.
Awesome! Thanks!
@robconstantino1723 yes sir! Any time
Why did my pool guy only plug one of the holes in my skimmer basket area and not both ? One has the gizmo but the second is open
@@jhoth405 do you have 1 drain or 2?
@jonport_ i don't know. It's the 16x38 liberty. 2 jets on the front, 1 on the side , 2 giant intakes down on the back bottom by the floor, then 1 skimmer intake that has two holes in it. We only have one pump and filter. Sorry I don't know for sure.
@ well those drains could be connected to the skimmer and that would make sense why he didn’t plug it.
@jonport_ Thank you for answering. You have great videos and content.
@@jhoth405 anytime. Thanks!
hello, I'm looking to close my pool for the first time and am confused about where I should insert my blower attachment to blow out the return line. I have a hayward pump & sand filter. Can I feed my blower into the other end of the pump or the backwash waste port? I think the only detachable union I have is between the heater and the automatic chlorinator. I have a small semi-inground pool with 1 return and 1 skimmer. Thank you
@@Audrina-my9li after the heater is the return line so that’s where you would blow them out so if you already have a union there that’s perfect
So you dont lower the water at all after winterizing?
@@barbarat8089 correct
Please can you mention which blower you used to blow skimmer and main drain? Looks like blower is powerful.
Big blue winter blower. They’re awesome
What’s the name/ brand for the vacuum that you are using to blowout the lines?
@@nightsaints big blue winter blower
Hello, just curious on the return lines at the bottom of the deep end how exactly do I prevent those from filling back up my return lines? Sorry I’m sure you’ve covered this but I’m thinking I missed it. Please & thank you…also can that blower be bought at a pool store or where might I attempt to vacuum the lines out? Thx!
The line on the floor are the drains, separate from the return lines. Once you blow them out you will air lock it buy shutting the valve. Hope that makes sense. Some people have those blowers or you can get them on line i believe. Definitely worth the money if you are going to do yours every year
Amazing video!!! Do you do more then winterize them? I am having a problem with my pool losing compression. So the pump will slowly stop sucking. None of the lines have cracks. If I unplug the pump and wait 2 minutes and plug it back in it works again for like 5-10 minutes. Also if I shut the skimmer line off and leave just the center on it runs longer.
@@madchadgaming9539 it could be your seal on your pump lid is leaking
@@jonport_ the only area I can see any water coming out is the handle you move to flush the system (I forget the name). But it’s not a lot of water.
@@madchadgaming9539 stopped to say cause I’m not there, but I could be the reason why it’s losing air pressure
Great video, I feel comfortable closing my pool myself for the first time this year. One thing I don't understand: Is there a concern with keeping the compressor on and plugging all the drains and returns? Will the pressure continue to build and potentially blow a pipe?
With a compressor, yes. A vac blower only has 1 level of pressure it's blowing. so definitely be careful with a compressure
@@jonport_ Thanks for replying so quickly!
@@christophermthom anytime.
I have been told two different things about if we have to drain the pool for the winter or not. We have an automatic cover, so the current company is saying that we do not have to drain the pool and the automatic cover will not be harmed with the weight of snow as long as we keep the suction device on the top. Is this true?
Yeah, you’ll rip your cover off the track if you do that. Snow doesn’t pump lol. You can close your pool without draining the pool. As you can see in the video, that’s all we do.
Main reason they’re probably telling you that is because it’s super old-school method is draining the pool, but we no longer do that
@@jonport_ Thats highly advised against at least where Im from. If you dont drain your pool the precipitation over the winter can actually cause your pool to overflow and turn to ice on the concrete. Ive seen it happen
@breadfan9 im from the midwest so it works here. Where are you from?
@jonport_ indiana....but I also have a mesh cover so that makes a HUGE difference
What brand name blower did you use to blow out the pool lines.
Big blue blower
I’ve never seen a gizmo with a cap like that. Usually I connect my blower to the skimmers and push the water back to the pool pad.
Interesting. Now we just blow it from the pump and put a rubber plug in.
@@jonport_ yeah, when I blow the water from pump to skimmer, there’s always the water sitting in the skimmer since not all of it blows above and away from it. Maybe it’s my technique.
@@krehbein maybe your blower is not powerful enough. It should be blowing out a mist when it gets going full speed.
If it doesn’t freeze… there is no real reason to ‘winterize’
@@graphguy sure. It dose where we are
@@jonport_ ya IF it does, but it never does where I live.
@@graphguy nice.
my gizzmo doesn't have a cap so what can i do to blow out the skimmer
If it doesn’t have one, you really need to get one or get a plug that fits and put that in as it’s blowing out.
@@jonport_ but won’t that block the water from getting out of the lines
Nvm I’ll just use a blower to suck up the water then insert the gizzmo
@@SleepNotFound_ it air locks it.
@@jonport_ so first use a vacuum to blow out the pipes from the pump back, then as the water blowing out becomes mist add the gizzmo and it should be good? (I’m a new pool owner with a 40 x 20 pool)
This looks way harder then I thought .. omg .. hope I can do this 😢
I believe in you👊🏻
wow you REALLY need to remake this video.....i bet if any new pool owner watched this for advice theyd have a hundred questions....seems to me a lot was left out, id say more than 50%
Posiblly but for our pools we build its pretty simple to open and close.
What about pool lights? Mine is permanently wired. Leave it in the water or take it out, bag it and leave it on the decking all winter?
@briankennedy9040 no. The lights never come out.