Storing Inflatable Pool Toys
Inflatable Pool Toys at Amazon.com
Storing inflatable pool toys for next pool season? How about storing them so your pool skimming action isn’t interrupted by an extremely large inflatable? Large inflatables are expensive. But you can’t store inflatables fully inflated. So how do you deflate them with their special fill valve blocking attempts to lose air?
That’s where a small section of tubing comes in. Larger inflatables have large valves. The valves are large enough to allow the tube to be gently pushed past the valve. Air can escape thru the tube and the inflatable deflated.
Water Wheel at Amazon.com
You can accelerate the deflation by putting the tubing into a hose from a vacuum cleaner or a shop vacuum. Within minutes the inflatable will be empty. Ready to be folded and put away for next season.
The Special Tool
You can deflate those large inflatables and vacuum pack them to their smallest form. The tubing should be no larger than 1/4″ outside diameter. I cut a piece of copper tubing that I had on hand. You can use a plastic tube if that is what you have on hand. As long as the outside diameter is no greater than 1/4″. The length should be from eight to ten inches. That way there is enough tube to put into the inflatable and yet still go far enough into the vacuum’s hose to draw the air out easily.
Related Post on usages for a wet dry vacuum
Inflatable Pool Toys at – Amazon.com
Intex Inflat-A-Bull at Amazon.com
No Sharp Edges
The cut ends must be clear and not restricted. I also file and sand the edges of the tube so that no sharp edges exist. You don’t want to cut the valve flap as you push the tubing past it. So no sharp edges anywhere, period.
Techniques For Large and Small Valves
Push the tubing carefully and slowly past the valve. You want the tubing to slip past the valve flap and not tear it up. So when I put the tubing into the valve I push gently against the side of the valve with the tube and twist as I push. If it doesn’t go in at that spot I move the tube to another spot on the flap and try the pushing twisting procedure until I find the spot where it will slip past the valve.
Turn on the shop vacuum. Then insert the tube into the vacuum’s hose. The vacuum hose does NOT need to be completely blocked to draw the air from the inflatable. The vacuum will draw the air thru the tube until there is no air left in the pool toy.
Tubing Inserted Past Valve
Intex Water Slide at Amazon.com
Copper Tubing In Shop Vac Hose
For smaller inflatables with a small valve, you can distort the valve by pinching the valve at the flap. The flap will leave its seat and allow deflation. Press the vacuum hose against the pinched inflatable valve. Small inflatables do not need tubing for deflation.
So now you have all your inflatables vacuum packed and folded. To prevent scuffing or accidental holes store them in a container in a safe location. They will be ready for you to enjoy next pool season.
Related Articles: More Articles about Swimming Pools
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(Mybusyretiredlife.com All Rights Reserved)
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