Preparing Your Pool for Winter Shutdown
While you may not be using your pool for several months, the process of closing it involves more than just placing a cover over it and leaving it unattended. Neglecting the following steps can lead to a green pool. To prevent expensive and labor-intensive repairs when it's time to reopen, consider the following helpful tips.
Clean the pool
To maintain the pool's cleanliness, remove all leaves and twigs from the water. If left at the bottom for an extended period, they can cause staining. Additionally, ensure that the skimmer basket and the pool pump basket are free of debris.
Clean the filter
Utilize a filter cleaner and degreaser from you local pool shop to eliminate dirt and grease from the filter. After applying the chemicals, perform a backwash. For cartridge filters, remove them and rinse thoroughly. These too may be soaked in the filter cleaner and degreaser.
Balance your pool water
Have your pool water analysed at your nearby pool supply store to ensure it is at ideal levels. Adhere to the provided guidelines and incorporate the recommended chemicals to achieve a balanced pool.
Use Long Life Algaecide and Phosphate Remover
Utilise Long Life Algaecide and Phosphate Remover to inhibit the growth of algae. Since phosphates serve as a nutrient for algae, failing to address them before closing your pool may lead to problems in the future.
Check that your equipment is functioning correctly
Ensure that the pump is operational, and if you have a chlorinator, verify that there is no calcium accumulation on the cell. If you notice any build-up, apply a high-quality cell cleaner to eliminate the calcification. It is advisable to operate the pump, filter, and chlorinator for 3 to 6 hours daily during the coldest months. While you can reduce the chlorinator's output, make sure to regularly check for a free chlorine level between 1-3 ppm. Adjust the chlorine output on the control box of your chlorinator as necessary.
Monitor regularly over the winter
During the winter months, monitor the pool water chemistry every 2 weeks. Verify the water level and make adjustments as required. Regularly empty the skimmer baskets, and consider removing the pool cleaner from the water to prevent wear and tear from excessive chlorine exposure. Additionally, if you have a sand/media filter inspect the filter gauge to determine if a backwash is necessary. If you have a cartridge filter clean the cartridge once a month.
