There are months that you will not be using your swimming pool, spa, or hot tub, such as during the winter. There is a right way to do winterizing or pool closing, and this is important because closing too soon or too late can lead to problems. When you do it too early, there’s a possibility of algae overgrowth. If you do it too late, you may already have a lot of mess to deal with.

Plumbing, equipment, and pool structure will freeze in winter, so it is crucial to close them ahead of time. One week before your planned heavy-duty winterizing work, start testing the water for pH level, alkalinity, etc. The chemical components of your pool should be balanced to keep it sanitary. Also, winterizing takes days to complete, so you must be prepared for the hard work.

Here are the tips on how to winterize your swimming pool, spa structure, or hot tub:

Prepare the Materials That You Will Need

Winterizing is an extensive job that you may want to leave to the professional cleaners. But if you are doing the cleaning yourself, it is best to have everything that you need before you start with the work.
You will need:

– Air compressor
– Vacuum or portable pump
– Pool test kit
– Brushes
– Sanitizer
– Stabilizer
– Algaecide
– Non-toxic antifreeze pool kit
– White grease

Inspect the Pool for Repair Needs

Inspect the pool, spa structure, and hot tubs carefully. If there are repairs needed, do them before the pool closing. Everything must work properly before you winterize the structure for the season.

Clean and Treat the Water

Clean the water of any debris, wastes, and dirt using your vacuum or portable pump. Then, treat the water to ensure that its pH levels, alkalinity, and calcium hardness are all balanced. This will prevent the water from being corrosive once the temperature drops to the freezing point and below. Add the winterizing chemicals, including sanitizer, stabilize, or algaecide before draining or covering the structure. Always read the instructions on the chemical container to ensure that you are adding the right amount.

Lower the Water Levels

Instead of draining, it is best to keep the pool full of water. You just have to lower the water levels depending on the pool and cover that you will use. For example, a vinyl-lined pool must have water that is one inch below the skimmer mouth. Meanwhile, a plaster finish with a solid material cover should be one to six inches below the mouth or tile line.

Clean the Piping, Valves, and Pumps

Drain the piping as thorough as possible using a tank vacuum or air compressor. Also, drain water from the heater and filter. Then, add a non-toxic antifreeze solution. Valves should also be dried thoroughly, and those that are below the water level should be sealed securely also removing the plugs and drain the pumps. Add an antifreeze solution and apply lubricant to prevent winter corrosion.

Cover The Pool

Once everything is cleaned and drained, cover the pool carefully to ensure that no debris will get through.

Closing the pool or winterizing is essential to protect the structure during the season that you can’t use it. Understanding how it is done properly will ensure that your pool is protected and safe. If this task does not sound like something you would want to dive in or if you don’t have much time for it, leave it to the professionals.

If you have little time to maintain your pool yourself, leave it to the professionals. Call Purple Heart Pools now. We offer various pool care services, so you can enjoy your free time swimming rather than maintaining your pool.