Old Man Winter has already made his way into some states, while
others are bracing for it. Aside from heading down south for the next
six months, it's pretty much difficult to escape the wrath of snowstorms
and freezing temperatures. This is especially true for households that
own a nice swimming pool.
The pool won't be used until around
April or May (at the earliest). Therefore, taking the necessary
precautions to closing your pool will save you both time and money when
you reopen the pool when the warm weather finally makes its triumphant
return. Indeed, it's imperative to protect your pool from freeze damage
and dirt.
Instead of spending hundreds, if not thousands, of
dollars to repair your pool in late spring, take a couple of hours out
of your day and begin to winterize your pool and shut it down for the
winter. Here are five tips to take to closing your pool.
Water chemistry balance
Most
industry experts will recommend to homes that have a pool is to make
sure the water chemistry is balanced. By confirming if your calcium
hardness (180 to 220 ppm), pH (7.2 to 7.6) and total alkalinity (80 to
120 ppm) are balanced, you protect the pool's surface from etching and
staining.
Algaecide
Before shutting it down, it's suggested
to use a winterizing algaecide. This product eliminates existing algae
and acts as a preventative measure from further algae growing. Since
algae can make your pool become discolored and have a terrible odor,
this is an important product to utilize today.
Pool cleaning
First,
remove everything from the pool: filters, ladders, hoses, decorative
pieces. Skim the pool to remove bugs, leaves and other aspects that
might have fallen in. Finally, take off your shoes and get in the pool
and vacuum or brush it the same day you close it with pool cleaning
equipment.
Lower the water
Once the water has been balanced
and the pool has been cleaned, begin to lower the amount of water in
your pool. Most suggest the water be lowered beneath the skimmer (about a
foot under the skimmer for a mesh cover; half a foot below the skimmer
for a solid cover). Also, be sure to drain all of the equipment, such as
filters, heaters and pumps, before winter starts so these items do not
freeze.
Plumbing
Akin to your home, it's crucial to
winterize your pool's plumbing. All of the lines that connect to your
pool need to be emptied and dried out because if not then they will
freeze and crack for the next few months. This can be done by either
using a vacuum or swimming pool antifreeze.
These are the steps to take before you cover the pool for the winter.
Here's hoping that winter travels fast and the beautiful, sunny weather comes in a hurry.
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