Yes, it is that time of year again. It is time to close our swimming pools for the season. I am always sad when this day comes – I will no longer see all of the smiling faces of our customers and be able to visit. As you can imagine, we are always asked, “What do I need to do to winterize my pool?” I am outlining steps that I recommend to all of our customers. If you live in the northern part of the United States, you need to consider the freeze factor.
First, let me say that you do not necessarily have to winterize your pool. In Houston Texas, about half of pool owners close their pool, and the other half keep it open. I keep our pool open – it is nice to look at,
and it is usually nice enough to sit poolside and enjoy the weather. What should I be looking for when winterizing swimming pools in Houston? Call (832) 912-7665. Aqua Blue Custom Pools.
You will want your water temperature to be 65 degrees or below. Why? Because, technically,
algae cannot survive in these temperatures. Now, some algae grow anywhere – ask anyone who has had Mustard Algae.
Take a sample of water to your local swimming pool store, get it analyzed, and make sure the water is in balance. It is essential to have the proper amount of calcium in your water as calcium is food for your water, and you need more to find it in the plaster, liner, or anywhere else it can see it. (Remember, balanced water uses chemicals more effectively).
You should also purchase the correct size kit. Most come in either 10K or 20K.
You may need an extra bag of shock, depending on the size of your swimming pool. I also
recommend a product called "Pool Magic Spring & Fall ."This product is the last thing you add to your water before putting on the cover. Pool Magic contains all-natural enzymes that break down organics, making opening and closing fast and easy. It prevents organic staining through the off-season, which reduces maintenance for the following opening. Used at beginning, it polishes water for eye-catching appeal. One bottle is generally enough. We use this product on all pools we close and open, which really works! Remember the filter cleaner!!! Sand, cartridges, and DE grids all need to be chemically cleaned.
Make sure your pool is clean. Brush walls and floor, vacuum the bottom of the pool, and net
any debris off the top. You want your pool to be clean and clear. I suggest cleaning your pool
tools and storing them in a dry place.
Your water is balanced, and you have put in your closing kit. I recommend you circulate your pool for at least 4-6 hours; overnight is even better. After distributing the chems, you will want to clean your sand if you have a sand filter. There are many different kinds to choose from. I recommend one that works like a shampoo. Your pool should now be drained below the skimmer and the return. A good 3″-6″ below the return is a good rule of thumb. You check the manufacturer’s recommendations if you have a fiberglass pool.
You should now winterize your filtration system. If you have an above-ground pool, you will
want to disconnect the hoses from the collection and pump. Inground pools are usually hard plumbed, so you do not have to remove the hoses. Remove all plugs from the motor and filter tank. If you have a pressure gauge, can that also be? I recommend putting all of these small parts in the pump basket next to the motor – they will be safe and will not be lost come Spring. If you have a Multiport Valve, put the valve in the winterized position. Cartridge filters should have the cartridge removed and stored in a dry place. DE filters should have all the DE rinsed out of them, and the grids washed down and stored in a dry place. Now for the skimmers and return fittings. Skimmers should have a widget screwed into them. How the Gizzmo Works: Every pool has a skimmer. When water freezes, it expands. The expansion breaks the skimmer.
The Gizzmo absorbs the expansion. The water crushes the widget instead of destroying the skimmer. It's That Simple! The Gizzmo is designed to absorb the development of winter freeze-up in skimmers only. The return fitting(s) also need to be winterized. You will first need to take the outside ring and eyeball out (put them in the pump basket with all the other small stuff). Now plug the hole. You can use a specialized plug with a gasket that screws into the return fitting from the inside of the pool. You can also use a freeze plug. You put This plug in the return fitting and tighten it using a wing nut.
Almost finished!! All that is left is the cover. Inground pools can either use a tarp/water bag cover or a safety cover. With the safety cover, you will need your special Allen wrench and the stretcher bar. The tarp/water bag cover should be pulled tight across the pool. You must drain the water off this cover periodically over the winter. The more water on the surface, the greater the chance of it falling into the pool. Above-ground pools have a tarp cover with a cable and winch system for keeping it on the collection. I also recommend getting a few air pillows to tie in the pool’s center. This pillow(s) will form a dome in the center of your collection to keep water from sagging in the center. You will want to keep debris and water off the cover. This will help come Spring. You can purchase a pump to keep the water off these tarp covers from any pool store.
I have one other piece of advice – if you have an above-ground pool and are having trouble keeping the cover down, you can use empty milk jugs or soda bottles filled with water and hang them from the grommets of the body. I have had a couple of customers in a high-wind area tell me that this is not necessarily a good idea because the wind may scrape the pattern off the walls.
Aqua Blue Custom Pools is an inground swimming pool contractor located in Houston, TX. We specialize in creating custom pools and outdoor living spaces that are shaped around our customer's lifestyles.
