With the crisp fall breeze upon us, winter will be here before we know it. Typically, pools are closed in the late summer or early fall. The process, called winterizing, helps protect pool’s structure from costly damage related to freezing water. It’s also a great way to ensure your pool is clean and ready for next year’s season.
Read the step-by-step winterizing process
below:
1)
Balance water. Ensuring your pool water chemistry is correct can circumvent
laborious maintenance issues when you re-open in the spring or summer. Pool
testing kits are essential for this step. Levels such as pH, alkalinity,
calcium hardness, and more are crucial to assess. Incorrect chemical imbalances
can lead to corrosion, effect comfortability, and promote algae growth.
Winterizing chemicals can help keep your pool water balanced.
2)
Add a shock treatment.
Chlorine is critical to pool water quality by preventing
algae, breaking down bacteria, and keeping the water clean and fresh. Shocking
pool water consists of adding a large amount of chlorine (10 to 12 PPM), then
waiting a day or two for the PPM to be a normal level (1.5 to 3.5 PPM.) For
best results, shock your pool a few days before you plan on shutting it down.
3)
Remove/clean tools and
accessories. Remove all skimmer baskets, heaters, slides,
wall fittings, vacuums, pool cleaners, ladders, and handrails. Clean well,
allow to dry thoroughly, and store in a secure, dry place. After removing the
equipment, collect debris from the pool using a net.
4)
Lower the water level. Use the filter pump or submersible pump to lower the water
level in the pool. It needs to be roughly four to six inches below the plumbing
line, which is normally the water return line. Ensure the water is below the
skimmer; the above-ground skimmer can be removed.
5)
Drain your pool
equipment. Your pool pump, filter, heater, and
chlorinator have drain plugs. Drain manually or blow water out with a Shop Vac
or something similar. Wash your filter and store during the winter. If you have
a chemical feeder, drain and empty it.
6)
Add a winter cover. Solid pool covers keep out debris, block the sun, and discourage
algae growth. Air pillows fit under the cover and help to relieve pressure and
protect the pool’s walls as the water freezes. Air pillows also minimize the number
of leaves, debris, and water that collects in the center of your pool cover.
Have
more questions about winterizing a pool? Look no further; contact the experts
at Pound Pool Plastering who can assist with winterizing and renovations.
Pound
Pool Plastering offers free estimates and complete pool renovations. Dale
Pound, owner, personally oversees each pool project to ensure the highest
quality is delivered. We offer Diamond Brite, Sunstone, Hydrazzo, Marcite,
Pebble finishes, Bead Crete, tile choices, coping stones, etc. We are
pool renovation experts - contact us today at 248-476-4544 or poundpool@sbcglobal.net.
Written by
the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.
