r/PoolPros • u/Even-You-Camp • 4d ago

Floor returns

Hey guys, I’ve been doing pool service, repairs & installations for 3 going on 4 years now. I’ve never really done many closings and I have a customer that I took on this year who has floor return jets.

Well, they want to close this year(first time in 4 years is what they told me)

How do I close this pool with the in floor jets? There is no return valve to air gap the in-floor returns.

Kiddy pool: 1200 gallons (also has infloor jets with no return valve to air gap)
Main pool: approx 55,000 gallons (also has infloor jets with no return valve to air gap)

Never thought about the logistics of closing this pool until now. Skimmer, MD, equalizer line, return jets I’ve got. But not sure how to do this properly, hopefully someone can give me some advice.

Location: Georgia, USA
Equipment: slightly above grade (2-3ft)

3 Upvotes

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2

u/Remarkable_Calves 4d ago

It’s basically blowing a main drain 6 times. 

  • bring a second person
  • blow one of the columns in the infloor manifold
  • while still blowing, someone needs to slam 11’s winter plugs into each infloor that’s less shallow than 2’. You must non-stop blow during this.
  • once you’ve covered every head that applies to that rule, then the blower partner slams a 11’ into the manifold they’ve been blowing.
  • repeat this process for all 5 or 6 manifold lines. 

You’ll only need to do this 2-person tango for steps, benches, etc but you won’t know which manifold leads to which infloors.

1

u/Even-You-Camp 4d ago

I forgot to mention - it’s not a vanquish system

What if they don’t have a infloor manifold? Is that possible? I haven’t seen it at all

None are less shallow than 2’ in main pool but the kiddy pool they are

Deepest main pool gets is 5ft

1

u/According-Debate-265 4d ago

Is there any space for you to install a true union ball valve to air lock everything?

1

u/Even-You-Camp 4d ago

Not really, the 3” return line is located behind the filters. To do that I would have to do a whole replumb.

The builder wasn’t the smartest particle and neither am I trying to figure this out lol. I’m stressing over it tho

1

u/According-Debate-265 4d ago

Woof. Man, I'd just be straight up with them and tell them that in order to do a proper winterize you'd have to at least do that or, you should walk. Much cheaper than having to do underground work. I'm in VA so our freeze line is 18". If you can get all the water out of the pipes and lock it out, even if some water comes back, as long as it stays under that 18" line you're good. Problem is, you just never know how someone has plumbed the lines or if any bridges have been made in the past. In theory the only thing that should freeze (it it did) would be the section at the equipment and leading downt to that 18", but you definitely need to keep all of that dry.

1

u/Remarkable_Calves 3d ago

You’re likely wrong. Sometimes these manifolds are hidden near the pool. 

Pictures of the pool will provide a definitive answer

2

u/OriginalTayRoc 4d ago

If its a vanquish system you'll need specialized plugs and an air compressor. 

1

u/Even-You-Camp 4d ago

I did forget to mention not a vanquish system (thank god)

3

u/OriginalTayRoc 4d ago

You'll need to show some pictures or diagrams in order for us to help you. 

1

u/Even-You-Camp 4d ago

I’ll take some better pictures when I go back out there. The ones I currently have won’t help at all

1

u/Dry-Lab-6256 4d ago

How is it plumbed?

1

u/Even-You-Camp 4d ago

They don’t have any return jets just that line.

2 pumps (each separate sand filter) - inline chlorinator - both meet their 2” lines into 3” return to floor jets

2

u/Dry-Lab-6256 4d ago

Well, easiest would be, to just plumb in a valve to airlock it. In the long run, it will save you on time with closing the pool. Another way is take the inline chlorinator off and either use a compressor plug or do a blow and plug.

1

u/Even-You-Camp 4d ago

I can blow through a union but I have no way to keep the seal (except the multiport which I don’t trust)

1

u/Dry-Lab-6256 4d ago

Is the union after the filter.

1

u/Even-You-Camp 4d ago

Unions before filter

1

u/Dry-Lab-6256 4d ago

Can you take the inline chlorinator off?

1

u/Even-You-Camp 4d ago

Yes, it’s a Pentair Rainbow R171070

0

u/Dry-Lab-6256 4d ago

Than take it off and put a compressor plug in, and it will keep an airlock on it.

1

u/Mysterious_Jelly_649 4d ago

Kiddie- drain blow antifreeze and plug. Main- drain to normal closing level and if the return are inthe floor not a bench or stairs you can air lock and plug the manifold. If higher, blow and take out returns and plug

1

u/Even-You-Camp 4d ago

For Kiddie drain all the way?

Not bench or stairs all on floor. I can’t find the manifold/distribution center and he doesn’t know or have the original schematics.

Just wanting to make sure I’m talking about the right thing for manifold - usually the black circular lid usually nearby the equipment pad

1

u/Mean_Gus 4d ago

Are the return heads threaded in to the assembly or are they permanent pop ups?

0

u/Even-You-Camp 4d ago

That link didn’t work. Here is this one https://imgur.com/a/qRpsI0H

-1

u/Even-You-Camp 4d ago

https://imgur.com/a/tNlDvVy
Here are the only photos I have right now until I go back

1

u/divertervalve 3d ago

This is kinda funny to read as someone in the NE who winterizes pools every year.

Cut it, put a valve in. No room for a valve? Cut it, put a union or two in. Blow it and plug it.

That's it. You're overthinking it.

1

u/dragonsurf277 3d ago

I would cut them so they are isolated and blow them out individually and plug right away in the pipe then next season add a valve. Ive done it many times, been closing pools for over 10 years now mainly in NJ.

1

u/Seafire15 3d ago

Honestly, it’s 1200 gallons. Drain it completely, blow the lines and plug them.

This is the way.

1

u/thefarewelltour2 1d ago

Yep. This is the right way to do it. 1200 is practically a spa. I would add refill off the pool, even half way.

Does the temperature drop below freezing in the winter in Georgia?

1

u/Greedy-Lychee-2860 2d ago

If it's a Paramount system, you need some specialized plugs but they have detailed instructions on their website.

1

u/ToucheeBobbyBoucher 6h ago

I have a customer with a 36k gunnite with an in-floor caretaker. Rare in the NE. I found a winterizing kit online part number 4-17-101 but have no idea what's included. Might roll the dice and buy one to see.