Winterize Your Pool in 6 Steps

A pool in the middle of snow covered ground.

Winterize Your Pool in 6 Steps


Winterize Your Pool In 6 Steps

Most people know that it’s important to get pool inspections brisbane regularly but not many understand how important it is to make sure your pool is ready for winter. Well, it’s that time of the year again, the weather is becoming too cold so it’s time to winterize your pool. So break out the pool cover and let’s make this as painless as possible. However, it doesn’t have to be an expensive or drawn out process. You can successfully learn how to winterize your pool without paying anyone. For pool owners in warmer climates or you have a heated pool, you get to skip many of these steps or not close up at all. You may also want to look for winterizing tips for your home in general which will likely involve HVAC installation or maintenance. These services and more can be found here – https://www.accurateelectricplumbingheatingandair.com/heating/. If you can’t winterize your home then you shouldn’t even begin winterizing the pool until this is sorted first.

The following are generalized instructions on how to properly close an In-ground swimming pool. Please note that all pools are somewhat different and your pool may need specific care not mentioned here. If you have any doubts about how to properly close your particular pool contact one of our pool professionals.

1. Remove Deck and Skimmer Equipment

Start by removing your diving board, ladders, rails, safety ropes, and any other accessories you have in and around your pool. Once you have the deck clear, you can start removing the eye ball fittings from all your return lines and skimmer baskets. If you have a dedicated line for an automatic cleaner, remove the plastic adapter.

2. Clean and Test Pool Water

Perform a Pool Water Analysis to make sure your pool water is properly balanced. You can either take a sample of water to your local pool store or use your home test strips to make sure the pH is between 7.4 and 7.6, your alkalinity is between 100ppm and 150ppm, and your sanitizer is at the correct level. It’s ok for your chemical ranges to be on the high-side when closing your pool as they will drop over the winter months. Then you will want to clean your pool thoroughly by vacuuming the floor of your pool with an automatic cleaner or manually, brushing down the walls and steps, and skimming the surface of the water.

3. Add Winter Chemicals

Once your pool is balanced and cleaned, you can now add your winterizing Chemicals. If you buy a chemical kit, some will not require you to run your pump while adding the chemicals. If this is the case, you can save this step till right before you put the cover on. Otherwise, now is the time to add the chemicals while your filter and pump are still operational. Check the directions on your winter chemicals or kit before adding. You can also use a WinterPill. While this is not absolutely necessary, this product will help ensure you open up to a clear pool in the spring.

4. Backwash and Clean The Filter And Pump

Make sure your filter and pump are cleaned. Once the filter is backwashed, you can open up your pump lid and remove any debris that is in the basket. Turn your filter back to “Filter” on your multi-port valve before blowing out the lines. At this time, if you are not using a winter skimmer plate, you should drain the pool 6 inches below the skimmer. If you live in the north where it snows and the water freezes a lot, I would drain the pool 4? below the return jets. This gives you a good buffer for when it fills back up again with rain and snow melt if you have a mesh safety cover. If you live in the south or don’t get much snow or ice, you don’t need to drain. If you have a solid cover, draining the water below the return lines may put added pressure on your cover when rain water and snow collect on top. You’ll need to keep draining water off the cover with a winter cover pump or siphon to protect it. No matter what, if you have a tile border in your pool, you should drain it at least 4? below the tile to protect it.

5. Blow Out The Lines

If you are unsure how to do this properly, even after reading this section, please contact one of our pool care professionals to come and blow your lines out for you. You run the risk of your pipes cracking underground if this is performed incorrectly.

Start by making sure your valves are turned so that the skimmers and the main drain are open. If you don’t have a main drain at the bottom of your pool, then you will only be dealing with one opening. Hook up an air compressor (like the ones you can purchase from Super Dry Systems) to your pump by unscrewing the drain plug that’s on the pump housing (the part with the lid) and thread your air compressor into the drain plug opening. If you don’t have an air compressor, then you could always visit Direct Air to give you an idea of what you can get. When you have an air compressor and you have set it up, start blowing air into the lines until you see bubbles coming from the return lines and skimmers. Take a gizzmo or rubber plug and plug up the hole in the bottom of the skimmer where the air is coming from. A Gizzmo is a long hollow, plastic tube that threads into the skimmer opening. The gizzmo is an ice compensator, so if water gets into your skimmer and freezes during the winter, when the ice expands, the gizzmo will absorb the expansion rather than your skimmer, which protects your skimmer from cracking. Next, walk around your pool and plug up all the return lines. The main drain will be the last to blow, but you don’t have to swim to the bottom and plug it up. Turn off the air compressor. Lastly, if you have a heater, you are going to need to blow the water out of it. Remove the drain plugs from the heater and turn the air compressor back on. You want to direct all the air into your heater, so close off all the valves except the one to the heater. You should start to see water coming out of the heater drains. Keep the air compressor running until you see no more water. Replace the drain plugs on your heater and remove the drain plugs from the filter and chlorinator if you have one. Turn off the air compressor and remove it from the pump. Store all the drain plugs in the pump housing for safe keeping.

6. Put The Winter Cover On

Last item to winterize your pool is to place your cover onto your pool. If you are using a simple plastic cover, just make sure there are no rips or tears. Use water tubes to secure them and only fill them about 85 percent of the way to allow for expansion when they freeze. Make sure the tubes are not leaking before putting them on. Water tubes, if they happen to fall in your pool, will not cause any damage to your liner or concrete much like a brick or cinder blocks will.

It is important to winterize properly. Taking time to make sure it is done right can save you money and frustration. Not to mention impacting the precious time you have to enjoy your swimming pool. SO, if you don’t have the time or know-how to do it yourself, call in our pool care professional and have it done for you. If you have any further questions about winterizing/closing up your swimming pool, don’t hesitate to give us a call at 623-939-1346. Or stop by your local Pool Supply Warehouse retail store and one of our pool care professionals will be happy to help! Enjoy your pool, and let us help you always keep it clear and swim ready!

If you have any additional thoughts or tips on closing you pool, please comment and let us know! Share some pictures too.

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