first time pool owner and first closing (still with questions)

[AnnaK]

We remove the multiport valve and store it with the pump. We cut a square from a spare piece of plywood, drilled 4 holes in it, and loosely bolt it to the opening on the filter. We also take out the pressure gauge and loosen the sight glass. We drain the filter at the plug on the bottom then screw the plug back on just a couple of turns.

[Watermom]

I take the pressure gauge off and drain the filter, but do not remove the multi-port valve on my filter.

[rannrich]

Thank you both, AnnaK and Watermom, after much consideration (and compromise) we are leaving the multi-port on. It is already too late for the pressure gauge as it was having a problem when we were cleaning the pool prior to closing. We thought it was the pump/filter but when we turned the power off the gauge only dropped to 15 so now we are guessing that it didn't like one of these past cold nights. If that is the only problem that we have when we open in a few months I will be happy!

[aylad]

It doesn't take much to kill a pressure gauge--the good news is that they're pretty inexpensive and easy to find, so just wait until after winter and get a new one for the new season. I lose one every year, because I don't close my pool--rather, I just run my pump during the few below-freezing nights that we get. A new pressure gauge is a small price to pay for not having to close up!!

Janet