Once summer ends and the colder months start to set in, it becomes necessary to start preparing your pool for winter. Otherwise, the cold temperatures will damage your pool and equipment, resulting in costly repairs.
Before winter sets in, you have to clean the swimming pool, adjust your swimming pool’s pH level, and make other preparations to avoid damage. The following are steps that must take place….
Cleaning
Skim the surface of your pool to remove any leaves, insects, and debris. To clean the bottom, use a pool vacuum. Finally, thoroughly brush the floor and sides.
It will likely seem like a hassle, especially since you’ll be closing your pool for winter. However, it saves you a lot more time and money later on. Cleaning your pool helps prevent algae and mold growth while it’s closed, and it makes it easier to balance your pool’s water chemistry.
Test and Adjust the Water Chemistry
Balanced water is much less likely to damage your pool under freezing temperatures. You need to adjust the water’s pH level and chlorine level as well as add algaecide and shock mixture.
You can use either pH test strips or a water testing kit to measure pH levels. You should aim for a pH level between 7.4 and 7.8.
Liquid acids are commonly used to adjust water pH, but you can also adjust your pool’s pH level with a pH control system that uses CO2 instead. It’s also safer and non-toxic.
Various chemicals are used to raise or lower the other chemical properties of pool water. Adjust your pool’s chlorine level to be between 1 ppm (parts per million) and 3 ppm, alkalinity to be between 100 ppm and 150 ppm, and Calcium Hardness to be between 200 ppm and 400 ppm,
Protect Your Skimmer
Your pool skimmer collects floating debris. However, it won’t be doing much after you cover your pool. And water can crack it if it accumulates, freezes, and expands in the skimmer. So remove the skimmer basket and store it somewhere safe.
Afterward, you have two options to protect the skimmer. The simplest is to use a skimmer cover. However, if you opt not to, you can lower the water level to half a foot to a foot below the skimmer. Just be sure to check up on it when it rains and make sure water drains from it.
Drain and Store Equipment
Like with the skimmer, water in pool plumbing lines and valves can freeze and expand, causing damage. Disconnect the lines, drain them, and dry them. Drying them is particularly important as mold will otherwise grow in them. Next, remove and clean the filters, then store them somewhere safe and dry.
Cover the Pool
Finally, it’s time to cover your pool.
Place a pool pillow in the middle of the pool and secure it with ropes tied to the sides of the pool. Afterward, cover the pool, and the pillow, with a pool cover.
And you’re done! If you should have any questions please contact us today!
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