Winter is here again. If there’s one important chore you need to do before the season arrives, it is to winterize your pool; so it remains in tip-top condition when the summer sunshine is back.
It is necessary to winterize your pool, especially if you live in colder regions, to protect the amenity from below-zero temperatures that may lead to damaged vessels and equipment. Extreme freezing can cause splitting of pumps, bursting of pipes, or rupturing of heat exchangers. Moreover, this preparation saves you from stratospheric energy expenses.
Whatever kind of pool you have, preparing it for winter is an integral part of its maintenance. Here’s how to winterize your pool.
Mind The Chemistry
Long-term pool owners know the importance of balancing the chemistry of the water weeks before they winterize. Adjusting the pool’s LSI to keep it in equilibrium would prevent etching or scaling. Pool etching leads to scale deposits, lines, dents, and divots forming around your pool plaster.
To do this, remove phosphates a week before winterization. This step gives you enough time to come back and clean the filter. When you measure the alkalinity, erring on the higher side is better as the level lowers as time passes.
Give Your Pool Some Deep Cleaning
Remove the tools and accessories before getting started. Wipe off the algae from your skimmer baskets, ladders, and take away the solar blankets from the pool. Keep these items somewhere safe so that you can enjoy them again next summer.
Eliminate the stains, leaves, and other debris that may affect the water chemistry. Thoroughly scrub the pool’s surface, bottom, and sides with the right tools. Doing so would avoid algae and fungi growth.
Super Chlorination
This process helps kill bacteria and prevents algae growth. Moreover, it also eliminates possible contaminants and other elements that might interfere with the water chemistry. In areas with intense freeze, do super chlorination twice to maintain the pool’s cleanliness while winter takes its time.
Shut Down Pool Equipment
For everyone’s safety, shut down all the pool equipment. Remove the plugs and lockout all the breakers. If it is not possible to switch off the breakers, put a tape so that nobody would turn them on. Inspect if the pump and the skimmer baskets are empty. Lastly, thoroughly clean the filter.
Check the Water Level
Make sure that your pool’s water level is enough for the winter. It is not advisable to drain all the water. Ensure that the water will not reach near the pool lights as it could damage the lens. Keep it below the tile and the skimmer. During freezing weather, water usually starts to freeze at the top, which may crack the tiles.
As you drain the water, use a vacuum to do it properly. This process will ensure that the pipelines remain unharmed. You can also use anti-freeze for the pipes.
Cover The Pool
Lastly, keep the pool safe from debris and other chemicals from creeping through. You also need to make sure that no one would step on it or accidentally fall. Choose a pool safety cover that will prevent the dirt from penetrating the pool and hold up the weight of the snow.
Key Takeaway
Due to the daunting tasks and involvement of chemistry, winterizing the pool is easier said than done. It is still best to hire someone to take care of the pool’s maintenance, though the above tips may come in handy for households who want to do it all by themselves.
Stock photo by Anna Demianenko on Unsplash