separate pump & filter?

[fcfrey]

For 3 years I never took the pump and filter in ---- Just drained and pulled the plugs and that was it ------ Last year I read a piece on Hayward's website saying that the pump should be stored inside because the area near the seal has a small chamber which can not be drained easily. That may explain why I had to replace the seal the spring after year 3. I installed a waterproof plug and socket on the pump's electrical and now bring it in every year.

Your question about breaking things apart at the unions ---- Unless you have a very tight configuration and things are small -- you probably will find it easier to take things apart. Unions tend to swivel anyhow so it will misalign everything anyhow.

Save yourself some aggravation and take it apart --- Also go to HD or Lowes and get a little container of plumbers silicon grease to lube the O-rings when you put things back together. It helps the seals in the valves also.

Good luck.

[Poconos]

Don't know about that small chamber but never had a problem leaving my superpump out all Winter. I do use a shop vac to suck the thing dry and then put probably a pint of RV antifreeze in it. Never replaced the seal and the pump has been in since 97. For the sand filter I just drain it.
Al

[CarlD]

If you have a DE filter or cart filter and it's all attached to one base, then it's just easier to drain it and move it inside. If you have a sand filter, unless you plan on removing the sand (not recommended) it's better to seperate the pump and move it inside, while draining the filter.

I don't have a common base for my pump and filter so it is easy to disconnect the pump for storage. I did have to lube the insides of the 6-way valve last season. That's an easy job.

Every union I open, I pull out the O-ring, dry it and lube it (teflon lube) and put it in a MARKED zip-lock bag, squeezing the air out of it. This keeps them soft and flexible year to year.