Pool Pump Valves (or lack thereof)

[AnnaK]

I can't answer whether you should install valves to and from the pump but I do know this: we have them on all the pipes and I cannot imagine managing some pool maintenance issues if we didn't have valves. Two things that comes to mind right away are opening the pump pot to clean it out and opening the inline chlorine feeder to add tabs. Even turning the pup off there would be gushers when the lids are removed. By closing the appropriate valve(s) I can perform those tasks without spilling a drop of water.

Other convenient applications for being able to isolate the pool from the equipment via valves are if you have filter issues (or pump issues) and need to make repairs, or if you want to control suction or return output for some reason, or, the way our plumbing is set up, if I wanted to change the pool light or increase flow from the opening - my pool light niche can act as a second return.

I'm all for valves!

[BigDave]

As AnnaK points out isolation valves (shut the pool water off from the equipment) make regular maintainance much eaisier especially when the equipment is below the waterline. I believe (and I open to correction) that if you want to throttle the flow through your system the best place for the throttling valve is on the pressure side of the pump before the filter.

[Cdnpoolnewb]

Thanks guys.

I want to have my pool closed professionally for me this year (and opened in the spring) - just so I can observe and learn how to do it correctly. I think I'll ask the service guys about adding an isolation valve - sounds like I should really have one.

Cheers.

[PoolDoc]

I want to have my pool closed professionally for me this year (and opened in the spring) - just so I can observe and learn how to do it correctly.

An excellent idea (one I've recommended often ), and so is asking them about the valve!