source:freepik.com
Winterizing pools is an important task for pool owners during the winter season. Winters can cause serious damage to swimming pools and raise maintenance expenses in the spring season. Yes, winters are known to cause significant damage. That’s why professionals advise taking some proactive measures to reduce any potential risks and maintain the health of your pool throughout the winter. Let’s discuss how to keep the pool safe in winter with these easy steps to winterize your pool.
What is Pool Winterizing?
In simple words, pool winterization is a method to reduce the risk of contamination and damage to your inground pool due to cold weather. Pool owners take winterizing steps to prepare the swimming pool for winter. These actions save you time and a significant amount of your hard-earned money. Neglecting to winterize the pool can lead to increased repair and maintenance costs and massive inconvenience.
If you own a pool and live in a region with moderate to extreme winters, you must winterize it to protect it from severe weather. And guess what? It is not difficult. It is a series of simple steps that anyone can take.
Deep Clean the Pool
Deep cleaning is the primary step in removing all leaves, silt, and other floating debris. Vacuum the pool thoroughly and brush the walls. If your pool has a lot of algae or is particularly dirty, bypass the filter. Vacuum the waste through the backwash line to avoid constantly removing and cleaning the filter.
Furthermore, cleaning the pool well is crucial for maintaining the water chemistry balance and preventing mold and algae growth during winter.
Balance the Water
After completing the cleaning process, it is crucial to balance the water. Conduct a test to check alkalinity and pH levels. If the alkalinity is higher than normal, you need to add baking soda. The optimal pH range is between 7.2 and 7.8.
Water balancing should be done a few days before the pool closure. It gives sufficient time for the chemicals to disperse properly.
Add Winterizing Chemicals
Winterizing chemicals float on top of the excess water to clean and eliminate impurities such as algae, bacteria, and chloramines. These chemicals are available at a local pool supply store or in an online winterization kit. Your kit should come with comprehensive instructions from the supplier. Be sure you distribute the chemicals evenly instead of concentrating on one area.
Drain Pump and Filter
Open Diatomaceous Earth (D.E.) filters, clean the grids and inspect for rips or tears to ensure optimal performance. The cartridge filters should be thoroughly cleaned after being removed. In both situations, reinstall the filter media into the tank for winter storage after cleaning. Lubricate any filter O-rings you encounter in the process.
Adding antifreeze to your pump can harm the seal, so it should be avoided. Draining all the water from the pump and filter system, including the chlorinator and heater or any other water-containing pool equipment, is much preferable.
To ensure safety during winter, put your grid assembly or filter cartridge back in the tank after blowing the pipes. Before and after blowing lines, ensure that the filter lid and clamp band are firmly secured. Loose filter clamp bands can cause the filter lid to blow off during start-up, which can have dangerous outcomes.
Cover the Pool According to Your Pool Design
There are two kinds of covers: safety covers and winter covers. Safety covers must be anchored down, and they offer the best defense against debris and prevent people or animals from accidentally falling in.
Winter covers provide less protection, but you don’t need to deal with the additional step of securing them. Regardless of the cover you choose, make sure it’s tight-fitting and free of holes or tears.
Pool design plays a role in this step. Pools with irregular shapes may require custom-fit covers to ensure a tight seal. So, you should work with a professional to find the best pool design.