It’s always sad to close down the family pool for the long cold winter. However, with these tips, you can look forward with hop to a fresh, clean, well-maintained pool in the spring time!
- An Early Start
A quick chemical test and adjustment five days before you close your pool can save you thousands in corrosion damage. Before a pool is closed down, you should make sure that the pH is between 7.2 and 7.6, that alkalinity is between 80 and 120 ppm, and that calcium is between 180 and 220 ppm. If you keep your pool water within these parameters, you should avoid corrosion and scaling. An early start lets you make sure that the adjustments worked before you close the pool up.
- A Pump
In Ontario, you absolutely need to lower the water level in your pool before winter. Since the top of water freezes first, if the water level is too high, then ice can impact the skimmer. This can wreak havoc on your plumbing. Before closing it up, remove enough ware to keep the skimmer dry.
- Pool Antifreeze
Ideally, you should remove as much of the plumbing, filter, and pump as possible, placing it in indoor storage. Since that is not always possible with in-ground pools, you can protect your plumbing by pouring pool antifreeze into the pipes.
- A Strong Shock Product
The good news about closing a pool is that foreign bacteria is mostly blocked out by the pool cover. The bad news is that existing bacteria in the pool have all the time in the world to grow and multiply. Before closing, use a strong shock product to eliminate any bacteria in your pool.
As with all pool chemicals, shock products need to be used with care. Chemicals should always be added to water, not the other way around. Add your shock product to a bucket of pool water, wait for it to dissolve, and then pour it into your pool.
- Winterizing Algaecide
With a shock product and a good pool cover, you don’t have to worry about bacteria. Algae, unfortunately, is a different story. Keep it down with a winterizing algaecide.