How to Blow Out Pool Lines for Winter
Blowing water out of your pool’s plumbing lines is part of the winterization process. It is a precaution to prevent damage to your pool equipment from freezing water in the lines during the winter. Many Florida pool owners skip this part of the winterization process since temperatures rarely drop below freezing here. You may be considering taking this extra step this year after last year’s freezing nights to protect your pool in case it happens again.
With the right equipment, you can easily blow out your pool lines yourself by following the 3-step process below.
What you’ll need:
- A pool blower or air compressor
- Winter pool plugs for any pop-out jets and wall returns
- A small 3 or 6 ft. section of hose to connect to the pool blower or air compressor
We’ve met and heard of pool owners who have tried to use a Shop-Vac, Leaf Blower and even a bike pump to blow out their pool lines. While some of them have been mildly successful, none of these alternatives is as effective or safe to use as a pool blower.
An air compressor is the best alternative if you do not have a pool line blower. Even an air compressor can be risky to use to blow out your pool lines because it could over-pressurize the pipes and fittings. A pool line blower has a lower, consistent pressure. It is ideal for safely blowing the water out of your pool’s plumbing lines without damaging the system.
How to prep your pool:
- Lower the water level so that it dips below the skimmer by 4” to 12”
- Remove water from the skimmers so that they are almost empty
- Remove the drain plugs from the pool filter, pool pump, and pool heater
How to Blow Out the Pool’s Plumbing Lines
The 3-step process is based around the 3 areas that you need to blow the water out of: the suction side, equipment, and pressure side.
#1 – The Suction Side
Screw the connecting hose from the blower or air compressor into the suction side of the pool’s pump. Then turn on the air. This will blow the water out of the skimmers and the main drain line.
Run air through the lines until only a light mist of water is coming out the skimmers and main drain. This should take between 2 to 3 minutes. Then turn off the blower. Place winter pool plugs in the skimmers and the main drain.
#2 – The Equipment
Now it’s time to blow the water out of the filter. The best method to do this will depend on the type of filter that you have. Usually, you do not need to use an air compressor or pool blower for this process. Instead, you’ll use the setting on the filter.
To ensure that you don’t damage your filter, check out the manual for your pool filter. Follow the instructions in the manual for blowing the water out.
#3 – The Pressure Side
Now screw the connecting hose from the blower or air compressor into the pressure side of the pump. This should push water out of the pool’s jets or cleaner lines. Again, run the air for 2 or 3 minutes or until only a fine mist is coming out of the lines. Then use the additional winter pool plugs to plug the jets or cleaner line.
Once you’ve completed these 3 steps, you’re done! Your pool is ready to be closed for the winter.
If you have any questions about this process or trouble winterizing your pool yourself, contact the experts at Pool Works! We can blow out the lines for you or walk you through the process so that you can confidently tackle it yourself next year.