There are several things that must
be done to properly winterize your pool, protect your accessories and insure a seamless
pool opening next spring. This guide will serve as your checklist for pool winterizing,
storage and care of your filter, accessories and the great investment that is your own
swimming pool.
Pool accessories.
Be sure to store your pool vacuum,
hand skimmer, pool toys , brushes inflatables and other plastic items in a cool dry place
over the winter. If you leave them in your yard, the rain, snow, wind and wear and tear of
the elements will tend to destroy them
Pool Ladder.
It is best to remove your pool ladder
from the pool and from the outdoors , if possible, over the winter. Clean and Dry the
ladder off and keep in cool dry place , like basement or garage. If you disassemble your
ladder, keep parts , nuts and bolts in a handy plastic bag ( maybe taped to the ladder) .
Pool Chemicals
Any chemicals not used over the
summer, should be stored in a cool dry place over the winter. Be sure the caps and lids
are firmly attached to the containers and that they are sealed tight. If caps are kept on
your unused chemicals, they will be usable and potent next season.
BEFORE PROCEEDING TO DISMANTLE YOUR
FILTER SYSTEM, THE FOLLOWING SHOULD BE DONE:
1. First adjust ph to 7.2 to 7.6, then
Insert WINTER CHEMICAL KIT into the pool. Entire
contents are placed into the pool. If liquid, it is poured into the pool. If powder or
tablets, there will be a floater or container to use that will keep the chemicals from
falling onto pool bottom and directly contacting the liner. There will be no need to add
more chemicals once the chemicals are put in for the pool closing.
2. Run Filter for 1 hour.
3. Raise level of pool above skimmers and
inlets.
4. Pool Skimmers and inlets
Need to be protected from freezing and cracking over the winter and thaw. Either the water
should be kept from entering the
skimmer from the pool with a winter plate or a giizmo Or similar skimmer winterizing
device should be inserted into the skimmer. Place
winter plug in inlets to prevent water from draining out of pool.
5. DISMANTLE POOL FILTER FOR THE WINTER
Pump and Motor
Pump and motor should be disconnected from
the base of the pool filter and drained of all water. It is advisable to open the pump and
clean out hairs or objects that may be stuck or accumulated in the pump before winter
storage.
Pool Filter
It is important that the filter tank
be drained of all water, the hoses be drained of all water and the motor pump be drained
of all water for the winter.
Cartridge Filter- it is best to change your
cartridges several times each season, so you might want to throw away your used dirty
cartridge and start fresh in the spring with a new clean cartridge. The interior casing of
the cartridge filter should be wiped clean and dry and stored indoors in a dry place. This
will prevent damage from cracking due to freezing and thaw.
Sand Filter- Most people change their
filter sand once per season, so we recommend that you throw out the sand at the end of the
season and start fresh with new clean sand in the spring.. The filter tank should be wiped
clean and dry and stored indoors in a dry and cool place over the winter. This will
prevent damage to the tank due to freezing and thaw.
Diatomaceous Earth Filter- Discard the
diatomite left in the tank as you will load fresh DE into the filter in the spring. If you
have a perflex pool filter, the tubes should be soaked in mild soap (like for dishes) and
warm water, leave them soaking overnight, then hose off the water tubes to dislodge any DE
or dirt that may be imbedded in the tubes. For discolored or hard to clean tubes, a
solution of water and vinegar may be useful. [For extreme cases, you can use a solution of
muriatic acid and water for soaking, but we would advise caution (be careful not to inhale
fumes and keep solution off your skin, eyes and hands-extreme burn hazard)] For other
Diatomite pool filters, hose down grids or other screening apparatus. In either case,
empty the tank of all water, wipe and dry tank and store indoors in cool dry place.
6. THE SWIMMING POOL
Metal Frame
Swimming Pools
The best thing
for your pool is to be left up all year and all winter, with the water in the pool. For
the integrity of
the frame and for the preservation of the liner it is the best thing for the pool.
Imagine how it
would be trying to line up your pool liner to the in the wall skimmer if the pool
Were taken down,
it would be impossible to line up the holes in the liner to conform to the skimmer.
To winterize:
1. Follow steps 1 to 5 above
Place
Winter
Balloon (aka ice compensator float) into center of the pool. attach rope to the
grommets to center the winter balloon. [ the winter balloon will need to be inflated
first, of course, to inflate use hair dryer on "cool" air or use reverse flow of
vacuum cleaner. The balloon must be under inflated to allow some give. DO NOT INFLATE
FULLY.
Place
WINTER
POOL COVER (AKA ALL YEAR POOL COVER) on top of the pool. The cover should drape over
the sides of your pool, then be tightened with winch and cables that run through the
cover.
KD, PIC and PELOPINCHO Portable
Swimming Pools
You can either dismantle the pool or
winterize the pool
To Dismantle portable pool
1. Drain all water out of the pool.
2. Carefully remove frame pieces and store in dry place where you are likely not to
lose the pieces .
Thoroughly clean and then dry liner and fold for storage. Your pool should be kept in a
cool dry place over the winter
To Winterize your Portable Pool
The best thing for your pool is
to be left up all year and all winter, with the water in the pool. For
the integrity of the frame it is the best thing for the pool. It will not harm the liner.
Follow steps 1 to 5 above. Except if you
have inside the pool skimmer, dry it and store indoors, then fill pool to within 5 inches
of the top.
Place Winter
Balloon (aka ice compensator float) into center of the pool. attach rope to the
grommets to center the winter balloon. [ the winter balloon will need to be inflated
first, of course, to inflate use hair dryer on "cool" air or use reverse flow of
vacuum cleaner. The balloon must be under inflated to allow some give. DO NOT INFLATE
FULLY.
Place WINTER POOL
COVER (AKA special portable ALL YEAR POOL COVER) on top of the pool. The cover should
drape over the sides of your pool, then be fastened with buckles in accordance with the
instruction included with the cover.
Inflatable EZ Set or Flexipool Swimming
Pools
You should dismantle the pool for the
winter months.
To Dismantle inflatable pool:
1. Drain all water out of the pool
2. Thoroughly clean and then dry liner and fold for storage. Your pool should be kept in a
cool dry place over the winter
If you have any questions or comments about
winterizing your pool, contact our tech support at:
customerservice@bigreds.com |
