Closing and Keeping It Simple

So, for the first time I'm thinking about closing the pool myself. I've been reading a lot of posts on here, but a lot of the setups don't seem to apply to me and are probably more complicated than I need it to be. Can you just verify that the below will work for me? I have a 24K IG Vinyl pool. One suction line (skimmer) and 2 returns. There is no Main Drain.

1. Lower water below skimmer and returns.
2. Disconnect pump and filter
3. Attach PVC pipe to hole in skimmer and attach Shop Vac to the PVC pipe
4. Turn on Shop Vac and let it go until no more water comes out of pipe that would have gone into pump
5. Pour 2-3 gallons of antifreeze down the PVC pipe.
6. Repeat steps 3-5 for return lines starting at the pipe that came out of the Filter (my multi-port valve will be set to fully open on one return line, and then fully open on the other, so that each line is blown out one at a time)
7. Put in Gizmo and screw on return line caps

If this works, just one more question. How will I know if the Shop Vac successfully blew out all of the water? I mean, if air starts coming out the other end, am I pretty much safe or could there be more water in the pipes?

Thanks a lot!

Hey Null, sorry that the swim season's over for you:(

Your plan sounds good. For the skimmer, try removing the shop-vac hose for ~ 5 seconds once the water is just 'sputtering' out and then reapplying the air. This will let the water still clinging to the pipe puddle and it'll all shoot out at once. Do this a few times until all you get is a fine mist coming out, this will insure that you've gotten as much water out of the line as possible. Add the antifreeze and gizzmo (put a few wraps of teflon tape on the threads to make sure that the line stays water tight.

For the returns, it's a little easier, use the valve to switch from one line to the other while forcing the air through it, the water in the closed line will 'puddle' and then come out as a big gush when you reopen that line.

Have a good winter and I look forward to seeing you here next spring!

Awesome! Thanks waste! I never thought I would close the pool on my own because of the risk involved (i.e. bad close could equal cracked pipe) but it seems straight forward enough.

It's funny, I've never owned or maintained a pool my whole life. This was only my second season, and thanks to this site (a lot of thanks towards waste) I'm now the neighborhood expert. People that have owned pools for years come to me for help and advice.

Thanks again!

I know I spell it out in granular agonizing detail, but in actuality, closing is just not that tough.

And, like everything in pool care, keeping it simple is the best.

The sun shines on every dog's **butt** at some point:D

I'm glad to have been able to help:)

I wish you well over the winter and look forward to seeing you next spring:)

I tried to blow my lines out with the shop vac. it did not clear my lines. My lines go down deep but not as deep and the main drain. Tonight I will check my fittings for the air compressor with a regulator. I will hook up thru my pump housing and hopefully it will work.

I do have one of those smaller compressors for the nail gun, or I may just roll the big one back there for the size of the tank.

I am waiting for the temp to fall, water temp is still 72 f. Though the kids went in Sunday.