Seasonal maintenance is a critical aspect of pool care, and appropriately closing your above ground pool for winter can save you both time and hassle in the future. This article will guide you through the steps to properly winterize your pool, ensuring it is protected and ready for the next season.
Understanding Pool Winterization
Pool winterization isn't complicated, but it does require foresight and thoroughness. Typically, you should plan to start the winterization process as late as possible in the season, allowing the water to remain naturally balanced and conducive to closing. Plan on dedicating at least a weekend to this process if you haven't already maintained proper chemical balance throughout the season.
If you need to balance the chemicals over the week, start adding the balancing chemicals to ensure they have enough time to fully mix into the water before you begin the winterization process on the weekend. This approach ensures that your pool is ready for the coming winter.
Preparing for the Winterization Process
To start your winterization journey, it's essential to get your winterization kit and chemicals ready. We offer kits for 15,000 gallon and 30,000 gallon pools, and if your pool volume falls close to the 15,000 gallon range, consider the larger kit to provide better protection. These kits are specially designed to seal your pool for the winter and include everything you need in one place.
Before diving into the detailed steps, the first and most crucial task is to vacuum the entire pool to remove any debris from the bottom. This step prevents any buildup of materials that could lead to algae growth and other maintenance issues. After the initial vacuuming, test the water for chemical balance and adjust accordingly.
Chemical Balancing
When adding chemicals to balance the water, always dissolve them in a 5-gallon bucket of warm water before adding them to the pool. This process ensures the chemicals are evenly distributed and do not settle on the bottom, damaging the liner. It's a good practice to test the water again after adding the chemicals to ensure the correct balance has been achieved.
Once the water is balanced, the winterization process becomes much simpler. Use the pool closing kit to apply the necessary chemicals. Typically, these kits include a liquid chemical and two powder chemicals. Follow the instructions provided with the kit for the correct order of application, which usually involves adding the liquid chemical first and then the powder chemicals. Both types of chemicals can be added one after the other without waiting time in between, as per the kit instructions.
Essentially, all you need to do is introduce these chemicals into the pool and let the filter run to mix everything evenly. This process will ensure the chemicals distribute properly and protect the pool from harsh winter conditions.
Final Steps
For the final steps, reduce the water level to about 6 inches below the return jet. This helps prevent ice damage from the top of the pool to the bottom. Next, remove and store the filter system. Finally, cover the pool to protect it from the elements.
Regular maintenance, such as repairing the pool pump, can also help extend the life of your system. We found that rebuilding the pump and motor at a fraction of the cost of a new assembly can save you money and reduce the risk of a sudden pump failure before a holiday weekend.
Conclusion
Winterizing your above ground pool doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By following these steps and being prepared with the right equipment, you can ensure that your pool stays in great condition and is ready for the next season. If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, feel free to reach out for guidance.