Wednesday, November 18, 2015

The main reason why it's important to winterize your swimming pool is to protect it from damage due to freezing water. Another reason is to keep it as clean as possible for the next season. Closing your swim pool properly can save you a lot of work when it comes time to open the swimming pool for the summer.

The first step in swimming pool winterization is to make sure your water chemistry is balanced. Test the pool for pH (pH between 7.2 - 7.6ppm), Total Alkalinity (Alkalinity between 80-130 ppm.) and chlorine (Above 3ppm) Adjust levels using pH PLUS or pH MINUS, ALKALINITY PLUS and HTH® EXTRA Super Shock.

Follow These Steps to Properly Close Your Pool For Winter

1. Any large debris such as leafs & pine needles left in the pool before closing may cause staining of pool floor and walls. Brush the pool walls, floor, vacuum small debris and scoop out large debris to prevent staining. The chlorine and pool filters will kill anything left within the pool making the water clean and clear for when you re-open it.

2. Backwash the filter for 30 seconds or until water is fairly clear. Leave the backwash valve open, if one is present. Make sure multiport valve has no water in it - a shop vac works great!

Note: If you have a cartridge style filter, take filter cartridge out and rinse and soak over night with GLB® Filter Cleanse. Rinse again and let dry. Store filter in a clean dry spot.

3. Drain filter canister by removing cap or plug located near the bottom, leave cap off.

4. Locate skimmer, remove and clean basket and put in a safe place.

5. Drain pool water level below the skimmer's opening. Plug the hole(s) in the bottom of the skimmer with a "winterizing plug" - this will prevent the line from filling back up with rain water which could freeze and cause damage.

6. Make sure the return line is capped or plugged off.

7. Disconnect your pump and filter hoses. Make sure that pump is totally drained!! Turn pump upside down once to make sure! Remove any drain plugs from the pump (store in a safe place)

8. Air pillows can be used but are not necessary. They are a good idea in case the water in the pool freezes, expands and breaks the pool wall. Remember - the pillow is there to take up any expansion of the water which may occur due to freezing and possibly causing the above ground pool wall to split. Pillows are NOT to keep the rain water out of the pool cover. The rain water will always settle around the outside of the pillow.

9. Remove all deck equipment from pool - ie: ladders, rails, slides, etc.

10A. For Above Ground Pools: Place a winter cover on pool and secure. Make sure that cover cable wire is tight so that cover does not blow off or fall in pool.

10B.For Inground Pools: Make sure the cover is secured with water bags" or anchors.

Questions or concerns? Contact Van Isle Water for any further details.