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CLOSING A SWIMMING POOL |
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When it's time to close your pool for the cold winter months, proper winterizing steps will ensure quick and easy spring start-up. Remember that problems such as stains, corrosion and scale can occur any time of the year. Climates vary, so be sure to ask your builder about specific winterizing guidelines in your local area.
1. Take a water sample to your local builder for a complete water analysis. Follow your dealer's instructions to balance the water as needed.
2. Clean the pool by brushing the walls, skimming the water surface and vacuuming the pool bottom. Clean pool wall tile and vinyl with cleaner. Empty pump and skimmer baskets.
3. Clean or backwash the filter according to the manufacturer's instructions.
4. Protect your pool water using a shocking chemical. Ask your builder for details about the best product for your specific pool.
5. Protect your pool against algae. Ask your builder for the best product for your instructions and continue to run pump for several hours to disperse thoroughly.
6. Lower the water in the pool down to the level recommended by the manufacturer for winterizing.
7. Drain water from equipment such as a pump, filter, heater, chlorinator, hoses and pipes as per manufacturer's recommendations. Ask your builder if you should protect the pipes and equipment with a non-toxic swimming pool antifreeze. Ladders, chlorinator (if off-line model), pump and skimmer baskets should be stored.
8. Cover the pool using a well-designed quality winter cover to prevent leaves, dirt and debris from accumulating in the pool.
After consulting with your builder, you may decide to leave your pool open during the winter months. If so, the following steps are recommended at a minimum:
1. Operate the pump at least several hours a day or continuously if the temperature gets down to freezing.
2. Clean or backwash the filter according to the manufacturer's instructions using a cleaner and degreaser following label instructions.
3. Keep the pool free of leaves, dirt and debris.
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