I’m a first-time pool owner, and my pool is equipped with an auto-refill line, specifically the Levolor auto-fill system. There are two ports/pipes in the pool: one for the sensor and the other for filling. What is the best way to winterize these components?
I cannot blow air into the ports/pipes, and they are positioned below the return jets.
Hi Tyler, there are a few vintages of this system so I’ll be a little generic in my response.
You may want to remove the valve (it should be serviceable) that the leveling system turns on and off and let the water drain out. There should be something at the water source - maybe another valve on your house wall or something in the basement - that you may be able to remove and either blow/vacuum it out and/or add some pool antifreeze to so it doesn’t freeze.
Do you have an access cover by the pool (most systems do) similar to your skimmer? Can you add plugs on the ports in the pool? If so, try to drain them out (blow or vacuum the water out) and then plug them up. Add pool antifreeze (use a hose on a funnel if you want to be sure to get some inside the lines) and add a few chunks of an old pool noodle in the automatic filler “tub” by the pool and antifreeze so, if the unthinkable happens, the expanding ice won’t crack anything.
If access is truly an issue, get a funnel and a flexible hose from your local home center or Harbor Freight and stick the hose in the ports in the pool and flood it with antifreeze until you see it coming out the port. Remove the hose, quickly cap the port and you should be good to go.
Thank you! I apologize for not providing enough details earlier. I assumed all auto-filling systems were quite similar.
Here’s the setup: Starting from the water source, there’s an inline valve (a typical water valve) that can only be turned on or off. Next is a solenoid controlled by the Levolor system. After the solenoid, there is another inline valve. It doesn’t seem like I can easily remove or open anything along the line. From there, the water flows directly into the pool, so draining or flushing isn’t an option.
As for the sensor, it’s set in a blind hole in the pool.
I will likely proceed with the approach you mentioned in the last paragraph.
Eeesh. That sounds like a tough one. The valves are serviceable, so, although it may be time-consuming, taking them apart and adding antifreeze to the lines may be your best option.
Thank you. Yes, it is a bit of an unusual installation. Thanks again!