When winterizing swimming pools in areas that experience deep freezes, it is common practice to use air to blow out the water lines so that the water doesn’t freeze in the pipe. That prevents frozen water from expanding the pipes and breaking them. Once the water has been blown out of the lines, winter plugs are used to prevent water from entering the pipes during the cold weather months. Plugs protect pool plumbing and equipment from the harsh winter elements.
When winterizing all of your pool’s water pipes, one should always keep in mind: Wherever there is water, make sure there is air.
Winterizing pool plumbing correctly helps prevent any costly pipe repairs after the off-season. Most of the pipe systems are buried; digging up all the plumbing to replace freeze-cracked pipes is an undertaking to be avoided!
Winter Expansion Plugs
The most common winter plug is known as an expansion plug. They are also called freeze plugs, hole plugs, pool bugs, or rubber plugs. They are basically rubber plugs with two stainless-steel washers and a bolt passing through the center. The plugs expand when the wingnut is turned.
These plugs are made from quality rubber, a plastic or stainless-steel wingnut, marine-grade stainless-steel washers and bolt. They generally remain usable for a few winter seasons, and service techs should inspect them for any deterioration prior to use.
Winter plugs are conveniently available in very common sizes to fit things such as return lines, skimmers, and cleaner lines. The size of the winter plug is given by a number. These numbers range from 0 to 12 with specific numbered plugs typically having defined functions. For example, number 4 and number 5 plugs work for ¾-inch wall returns like those that are generally found in gunite pools. Number 9 and number 10 plugs can be used for 1-1/2-inch threaded return fittings or skimmers. Tapered rubber winter expansion plugs with a wingnut to tighten come in various sizes: 0 – 1/2' pipe tapered 1 – 1/2' pipe 2 – 3/4' tube tapered 3 – 3/4' pipe 4 – 3/4' and 1' pipe 5 – 1' pipe 6 – 1' fitting 7 – 1 1/4' pipe tapered 8 – 1 1/2' pipe tapered 9 – 1 1/2' pipe and 1 1/4' fitting tapered 10 – 1 1/2' fitting tapered 11 – 2' pipe 15 – 4' pipe 16 – 4' pipe Some common uses for winter plugs include: The No. 4 rubber plug and the No. 5 rubber plug are frequently used on gunite pools for ¾-inch angled wall returns.
The No. 8 and the No. 9 pool plugs are for 1½-inch pipes that are nonthreaded. They can be used on spa jets or in-floor cleaner system pipes. Use these to plug the main drain pipe when connected to a skimmer.
Extra-long tapered plugs are available in sizes 7 to 10 and are usually easier to work with and provide a better seal further into the pipe.
The No. 11 and the No. 12 plugs work with 2-inch pipes and fittings.
Blow-through Valve Winter Pool Plugs
Blow-through valve winter pool plugs are tapered rubber plugs with a Schrader valve stem. The concept is similar to the way a bicycle tire valve works. After they are installed, they allow users to insert compressed air into pipe lines. These plugs are noncorrosive and range from ¾-inch all of the way up to a 4-inch fitting, tube, or pipe.
Blow-through valve winter pool plugs are available in sizes shown in the accompanying table.
Teflon tape on the threads and an appropriate lubricant on the O-ring prior to installing them.
Winter Duck Plugs
Winter Duck Plugs, or Duck Bill Plugs, made by Anderson Manufacturing Company, allow plumbing lines to be winterized without draining the pool. According to the manufacturer, the patentpending 'duck-bill' valve allows a large flow of air and water to be blown from the return plumbing but does not allow water back into the lines.
To use them, install the plugs into all lines. The double-seal system provides a watertight seal at the face plate or inside the fitting.
Use a blower to clear all lines. The Winter Duck Plug provides adequate back pressure to allow all returns to be cleared at the same time without 'burping.'
Once all returns have been bubbling for several minutes, turn off the blower. Water will not enter the pipes from the pool.
Add optional antifreeze to lines and turn on the blower again until you see some antifreeze blown into the pool.
Threaded Return Line Plugs
A threaded plug with an O-ring will screw into return lines to seal them for the winter. Be sure to use Install optional yellow caps for a finished look (caps are not necessary to prevent water from flowing back into lines).
Bungee Plugs
Among the newer innovations in winterizing plugs, the Bungee-Plug is a one-way valve with a bungee strap that stretches to allow air or water to flow freely when air pressure is applied. The bungee strap responds instantly to pressure relief and seals with a unique triple O-ring seal.
The Bungee-Plug replaces the return eyeball. There is a hole in the center that's plugged with a rubber stopper that's held in place by a strap coming off of the back of it. When you blow air through the system, the strap stretches, allowing air to exit. As soon as the pressure is removed from the backside, the strap contracts, and the hole is plugged, sealing the return from water. Advantages of using the Bungee-Plug include not having to lower the water level below fittings, which saves on water. It also comes fully assembled and it is super easy to install with no tools required: simply thread it onto return fittings, and blow out the lines.
Skimmer Protection Gizzmo
A Gizzmo is a screw-in device that will protect the skimmer of an inground pool from freezing during winter months.
To use, fill the lines with antifreeze as part of your winterization process, and screw the skimmer guard in place. This will ensure the skimmer will not crack or sustain damage due to ice during the long winter months.
Built for 1-1/2 to 2-inch skimmer inlets, this guard is an economical investment that will save time and money. There are a few varieties: the standard Gizzmo is short, the Super Gizzmo is for a typical inground skimmer…and the Ultra Gizzmo allows for blow-out and a pretty decent seal…this should also allow for you to pour antifreeze in the pipes while pool water level is high.
Pool Noodle/Plastic 2L Bottle
After blowing everything out and plugging the skimmer, an alternate way to protect the skimmer is to use cut-up pool noodles. When water gets into the skimmer over the winter and freezes, the noodle works to displace the water and whatever water remains will crush the noodle before it destroys the skimmer. Alternately, fill a 2-liter bottle halfway with sand and rocks and place it in the skimmer.
Air Supply of the Future Cyclone Pro Liner Vac 3HP
For blowing out pool plumbing, just about every service professional who has tried using the Cyclone blower says it’s a game changer.
According to the manufacturer, the cyclone is built with a powerful bypass motor specifically designed for installing vinyl liners and for winterizing pools. The cyclone serves as a pool line blower to remove your equipment of any remaining water when closing for the winter season.
The 3 hp Cyclone Pro is the most powerful blower/vac on the market today. The Cyclone's powerful 2-stage motor can generate 140 cfm on open flow and a sealed pressure of 180 inches of water. It’s more than enough power to winterize a 9-footdeep pool or to pull back a pool liner on a cold spring day. The housing has been redesigned into a smaller package with a dual sized inlet to accommodate a 4-inch flex hose or a 2-inch PVC pipe. There is also a protective stainless-steel screen on the inlet to prevent large debris from entering the blower. The outlet has a 1 1/2-inch threaded fitting to allow for multiple PVC fittings.
Features
•Apowerful, long-life 8.4' diameter two-stage motor producing 140 cfm on open flow and a sealed pressure of 180 inches of water column.
• A completely redesigned plastic housing made of durable polycarbonate that can take the abuse as a pool service tool.
• Dual sized inlet to accommodate a 4-inch flex hose or a 2-inch PVC pipe with a protective stainless-steel screen for maximum air flow when installing liners.
• Durable 20-amp rocker switch.
• 1 1/2-inch threaded outlet that can accommodate a variety of PVC fittings, shipped with a 1 1/2-inch threaded hose adapter.
• 20-amp water-resistant on/off rocker switch with 6-foot grounded power cord.
• Powerful long-life bypass motor rated at 14 amps at 120 volts.
• Rugged housing with built-in handle and rubber feet. • 1 1/2-inch hose fitting included in box.
Hose sold separately.
Using the Cyclone blower
As the saying goes, there’s more than one way to skin a cat, and the saying holds for blowing the water out of a pool’s plumbing.
According to the manufacturer of the Cyclone blower, all you need to get started is return fitting plugs, a skimmer plug, an air blower, and a regular-sized pool vacuum hose.
Begin by removing any hardware from the pool’s return fittings. Next, turn the blower on and insert it into the return line of the plumbing at the equipment pad. At this point, water will start to blow out of the return fittings. Continue until the water has lessened to a fine mist, and then plug the return. Either rubber or threaded return fitting winter plugs will work. Plug each of the returns.
Next, open the skimmer and remove the skimmer basket. At the equipment pad, insert the blower into the skimmer’s plumbing line and blow out all of the water from the skimmer. Then insert the skimmer plug. Finally, blow out the main drain at the equipment pad and close it off.
Blow out your lines through the pump with a Cyclone Many service professionals have devised a slightly different and innovative way to blow out plumbing lines that involves making a pool blow-out lid for the pump. In short, the idea is to attach a hose to the Cyclone and then blow out all of the lines through a converted lid on the pump.
To do this, you will have to sacrifice a few pump lids that will fit the pumps of all of the pools that you service.
How to make a pump blow-out lid
Materials needed:
• 2 1/2-inch hole saw.
• Hayward SP1023 1 1/2-inch FIP Inlet Return Fitting with Locknut and Gasket. (bulkhead fitting)
• Swimline 1 1 Adaptor (Vacuum hose adaptor)
• JED Pool Tools 60-345-06 Deluxe Filter Connecting Hose for Swimming Pool, 1 1/2-inch by 6 feet. (Vacuum hose)
• Extra pump lid *Note – For your convenience, these directions indicate specified manufacturers. However, other brands are widely available that can accomplish the same goal.
How to convert the pump lid:
Attach the hole saw to your drill and drill out a hole in the center of the pump lid. Take the bulkhead fitting and place it under the pump lid so that the threads come up through the hole. Screw the locknut with gaskets onto the fitting on the top of the lid. Screw the vacuum hose adaptor into the bulkhead fitting. Pump lid is converted! Mount the converted lid onto the pump. Attach one side of a pool vacuum hose to the adaptor, and the other side to the Cyclone. Blow out your plumbing lines.
Winter Covers
When it comes to winter covers, there are a few that get a special nod from pool service professionals on social media sites like Facebook. There, the winners are (in alphabetical order): Latham, LOOP-LOC, Merlin, Meyco, and Tara.
Latham Pool Covers: According to their website, Latham is the largest manufacturer of fabricated pools in North America, Australia, and New Zealand, with more than six decades of experience at the center of the backyard lifestyle. All Latham Pool Products are proudly manufactured in their multiple high-tech facilities throughout the U.S. and Canada. All Latham solid and mesh winter safety covers are evaluated against ASTM F1346-91 safety standards for items such as performance under load and water flow rates and were found to meet or exceed the standard. In February 2022, one of Latham’s covers even saved the life of a 1,000-pound horse.
There are lots of reasons to choose LOOP-LOC covers. Some of these include: Super light-weight; Lots of color options; Child safety Intrusion barriers; Double-perimeter webbing and double thick straps; Extremely high-strength, non-corrosive 302/304 grade stainless-steel springs; Brass anchors recess flush with the deck when the cover is removed; Superior UV stability; Mesh construction lets rain and melting snow drain right through; 15-year pro-rated warranty; May reduce liability insurance.
Merlin Covers are designed and constructed to help increase the safety level of swimming pools and help ease the general maintenance and care of pools. Merlin Industries, Inc. is the original innovator of the Solid Safety Cover. Relative to other cover manufacturers, service pros say Merlin excels at raised areas and obstructions.
Meyco made the first winter cover, which was patented in 1960. Since then, the company manufactures three series of covers: Meycolite mesh, which is super lightweight making it easy to install and remove. PermaGuard solid Covers reduce evaporation, preserve chemical lifetime, and protect from debris. RuggedMesh gives you the best of both worlds – the flexibility of a lightweight mesh cover combined with the durability of a solid cover.
Tara Covers standard features include: Double webbing along edges to prevent fraying; Webbing sewn on top and bottom of seams for double strength; High-strength, non-corrosive 302 grade stainlesssteel springs; Large, reinforcing X stitching on straps; Coping anti rub strips; Non-corrosive, doublenotched brass tips; UV & chemical resistant thread; Reinforcing hem around all fabric panels; Independently certified to meet or exceed ASTM standards for Safety Swimming Pools Covers F 1346-91.
Working Gloves
There’s an old saying that goes, “If you don’t like the weather in (insert state), just wait a few minutes.” The adage is commonly ascribed to Mark Twain, and it is said he was referring to New England, but a lot of states have claimed some version of the saying as their own.
You hear it in Texas a lot, and especially at this time of year. In autumn, in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, for example, it can be 34 degrees in the morning and 95 degrees in the afternoon. That means it’s certainly too warm to close your pools for the season (most Texans don’t close their pools at all) but unpleasantly cold working with your hands in the wet.
When it’s cold enough for your hands to stick to your pole, gloves might seem like a no-brainer, and many who work year-round are willing to invest in some quality warm, waterproof gloves. Whatever you choose to do, it’s a good idea to use hand cream to keep your skin from cracking, which is not fun when you are working with chemicals.
Here are some recommendations: 1. Atlas 772 Nitrile Elbow Length Chemical Resistant Yellow Gloves: Service techs recommend buying a size larger than normal and wearing a thinner inner glove. Buy on Amazon $16.
2: ATG Maxiflex 34-874 Nitrile Gloves Micro-Foam Grip Palm & Fingers Excellent Grip and Abrasion Resistance Gloves. Buy on Amazon, 12 pairs for $57.
3: G & F 100% Waterproof Winter Gloves — For outdoor cold weather. Double Coated Windproof HPT Plam and Fingers Acrylic Terry inner keep hands warm at -58° F. Buy on Amazon, $10.
4: • HARDY Long-Cuff Rubber-Coated Blasting Gloves. Buy at Harbor Freight, $8.
5: KAYGO Waterproof Thermal Work Gloves, Full Hand Latex Coated, Acrylic Insulated Liner for Freezer Cold Weather,KG140W.BuyonAmazon,$.
6: Midwest 330 Extreme Cold Weather PVC Coated with Thinsulate Lined Decoy Hunting Gloves. Buy on Amazon, $.
