This allows the pillow to compress without immediately popping after the first substantial snowfall. Winterizing Your Pool at a Glance Step 1: Clean and test water Step 2: Add winterizing chemicals Step 3: Filter water Step 4: Shock it Step 5: Install skimmer plate Step 6: Plug return fitting Step 7: Remove lights Step 8: Add winter-grade chlorine Step 9: Insert air pillows and cover Step 10: Add safety cover and water Step 11: Clean filter When using a non-chlorine shock, you can usually cover it in about 8 hours. If not done properly, freezing temperatures and frost and snow can all affect the condition and equipment of your pool. This fast-acting, quick-dissolving swimming pool shock kills bacteria, controls algae, and destroys organic contaminants in pools. Lift the cover every couple of weeks to make sure that algae is kept in check. Well, yknow, kinda. For areas where you experience extra wind or storms, it might also be necessary to use water bags or cover clips to hold the cover down. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. And if you live somewhere with cold winters (or just want to close your pool for the season), youre already thinking about how to winterize your above ground pool. Move the valve to the rinse position, letting it run for 30 seconds before turning the valve to the 'winterize' setting on the top mount valve. Calcium Hardness should be at least 150 ppm. Congratulations, grasshopperthe arcane secrets of how to winterize an above ground pool are now yours to command. Then store the pump, filters and hoses out of the elements with the other pool accessories. We mentioned earlier about how your lines can burst due to freezing water expanding inside them. Take your time vacuuming the entire pool, and then clean the surface. Step 1: Remove all pool accessories & pool equipment. How To Winterize An Above Ground Pool: 9 Step Guide - All About Pools At the risk of sounding like a broken record here: bring your cell and, if possible, your chlorine generator inside with you this winter. You will need: 4x4 pool pillow. Pour a gallon of pool antifreeze into the attachment hose, so that it enters the return line. This is the final step to ensuring your pool will be safe for the winter. Note: Take a few moments to clean the cell before storing. These tweaks will help you keep your water clean and clear until spring returns. Whatever you use to weigh down your pool cover, make sure that its not going to damage your pool or cover if it accidentally gets knocked into the pool. Sure, you could whisper a dark secret into the filter or perform the lambada, but thats not the kind of shock youre after. Remove Ladders and Accessories Loosen the ladder anchor socket bolt. If you dont have a skimmer cover, youll need to drain the pool to a level below the skimmer intake. Plus, leaving your pool open until the mercury drops gives you plenty of time to clean, test, and balance your pool before closing. He is a certified lead carpenter and also holds a certification from the EPA. Protect your investment and bring your filter, pump, chlorinator, heater, and any other equipment in from the cold. Remember what we said earlier about drains and other pool equipment being damaged by cold weather? If you have pool decking around your above ground pool, you may also consider adding some water bags to the edge of the pool to help secure it down. Total alkalinity is the measure of the alkaline substances in the water. Shock the Pool. Do not winterize the pool too early, or the winterizing chemicals will lose their potency before the end of the winter. This will give all of the chemicals time to do their job. A winter pill or winterizing pill is a plastic lozenge that floats under the pool cover and contains chemicals that maintain pool water quality throughout the winter. Required fields are marked *. How To Prepare Ground For An Intex Above-Ground Pool Different types of pool will have different equipment to keep it working, so this step will vary depending on how much equipment you have in your pool. Wouldnt it be great to have an acre of lush land for an Olympic-worthy swimming pool? Throughout the winter, keep an eye on your cover and do your best to keep it dry. You need to drain the water from all of your pool equipment. We recommend using a skimmer plate when winterizing your pool to prevent water from entering your plastic skimmer, freezing, and cracking. Lower the water levels but never completely drain an above ground pool. With the extension skimmer net or leaf rake, remove all debris such as leaves floating on top of the pool. Visit our corporate site. - http://bit.ly/2GuvA4DAbove Ground Pool Winter Covers - http://bit.ly/2GvTVqYHow To Select The Correct Sized Above Ground Winter Pool Cover - http://bit.ly/2RxLstmWinter Cover Accessories (Air Pillow, Skimmer Covers, Cover Pumps, \u0026 More) - http://bit.ly/37xZ7WYSUBSCRIBE for FREE swimming pool care and maintenance videos every week: http://bit.ly/SubscribeINYO ****VISIT our blog for weekly swimming pool tips, tricks, and more! The water that gets left in the pipes can freeze, expand and burst the pipe and lines to your pool, causing some costly repairs to have to be made. They could puncture the lining or start to rust. If your pool water is still too warm, even when you winterize it, the algae could still be able to seep into your water and grow over the cold months when youre not using it. This includes: Once you have all your tools in order, its time to get started. Naturally, the less water there is in the pool, the less of a strain it will put on the walls and cover. Wipe Out 6012 All Purpose Surface Cleaner for Swimming Pools - 1 qt. What, you thought you'd just throw a cover over your pool and ignore it until spring? The first thing you want to do is make sure you have all of your tools and materials. One of the lesser pool closing concerns is packing away the filter and pump. Remove and store all pool accessories indoors if possible. Youll save time, money, and frustration. Find out before you make that investment. Whats more, winterizing your pool reduces the risk of contamination from algae blooms and frost damage to the pool's frame, liner, pipes, and lines all of which will save you time and money from expensive repairs in the long-term. Keep the pump, chlorinator, and hoses indoors to prolong their lives. Grass or dirt is also another great option, as long as it has been properly leveled and you've killed off the grass first. The pool water will turn a different color and the pH testing kit will come with a handy color guide so you can tell exactly what pH level your water is at. Remove the cell, or your entire salt system if you prefer, and store it inside for the winter. If you have access to a pool vacuum, this can help to speed up the process and make doubly sure that all the potential contaminants have been removed properly. There are winter pool covers available in a wide range of shapes and sizes. Even if it seems like a hassle, the extra effort is well worth it to protect your pool and minimize repair costs. http://bit.ly/InyoPoolsLIKE us on FACEBOOK! This step is absolutely essential for ensuring the winterization process works properly. Leaving anything in the pool during winter could damage the pool or even start to corrode. 1. You wouldnt put your clothes away when theyre still wet, right? Well, this step is important for protecting your accessories from that cold damage, as well as keeping them safe from mold. This step involves adding even more chemicals to your pool water. When and How to Add It In, The 8 Best Above-Ground Pool Steps of 2023, How to Open an Above-Ground Pool in Spring, All About Chlorine: How Much Pool Chlorine to Add and When, Above-Ground Pool Installation for First Timers, DIY Above-Ground Pool: How to Afford and Build It, 3 Reasons Your Pool Is Cloudy, and How to Fix It, 17 Plunge Pool Ideas for a Quick Dip in Your Backyard. Add the floating winterizing pill. How to Winterize/Close your Above Ground Pool! - YouTube But first of all, a couple of frequently asked questions. With the pool vacuum, thoroughly remove the rest of the leaves and other debris remaining at the bottom of the pool. Step 1. How to Winterize An Above Ground Pool: Step-by-Step Process. Its a chemical that keeps minerals and metals from depositing themselves on your pool surface. The steps weve outlined in this guide are specific to above ground pools but pretty similar to the steps you might take to winterize an in-ground pool. One day, you're splashing around in your above ground pool, enjoying a seemingly endless summer. Give accessories a good cleaning with a multipurpose, pool surface cleaner before moving them to a dry place. The last step when winterizing your above ground pool is to secure a pool cover that prevents debris from getting into the water. Deane Biermeier is an expert contractor with nearly 30 years of experience in all types of home repair, maintenance, and remodeling. Pool Maintenance - Winterize an Above Ground Pool Then if you want to, you can wait a week and use the non-chlorine shock before closing the pool. If you properly know how to winterize your above ground pool right, the happy days of splashing around in your pool with friends and family are just around the corner! You can boost the level by adding a calcium hardness increaser or simple calcium chloride. There are certain chemicals you can add to your pool before covering it that will make reopening your pool in the spring faster. This will remove any contaminants that could cause algae or stains or algae during winter. If you have a Diatomaceous Earth (D.E.) Simply disconnect any lines from the pool, drain all the water from inside them and make doubly sure theyre as dry as you can get them. To prevent frozen water from damaging your above ground pool skimmer, its a good idea to reduce the water level in your pool to about three or four inches below the opening of the skimmer. Dont use bricks, stones, stray elephants, or anything else that might damage your liner if it were to fall into the pool. Includes a removable intake screen for easy cleaning and maintenance, 3/4-inch garden hose connection, and a 550-gallon per hour flow rate. Then, simply fill up the provided tube with as much of the pool water as the packaging recommends. https://www.facebook.com/inyopoolsFOLLOW us on TWITTER! Winterizing a sand filter will make you very familiar with your top mount valve, which is located at the top of your sand filter pump. When youre closing your pool for the winter, dont overlook your above ground pool ladder, toys, and any other accessories you may have. Follow the manufacturers instructions to determine the right amounts. How to Winterize an Above Ground Pool With a Bottom Drain Then, brush down the walls to remove any traces of algae or mold that will grow over the winter, and skim with a skimmer net. Keep the bottom of the skimmer free and cleardont plug it up. If you cant find any clips or have simply lost yours, try to use something like water or sand bags rather than bricks or heavy stones. If you get a heapin helpin of precipitation during the winter, a skimmer cover can save you big headaches down the road. So, weve established that its important to winterize an above ground pool to keep it safe during the cold months and prepare it for the next summer. This will keep the pillow centered and secure. A low pH level (under 7.0) can cause corrosion because its very acidic. Mesh or solid? Once youve balanced your water levels, add diluted granular chlorine, or non-chlorine pool shock to your pool water. And even if you need to make minor repairs to your pool and get the chemicals back in balance after a harsh winter, taking the right steps now can prevent a lot of the larger and more expensive headaches. This is because algae, like any other living organism, needs heat to survive and grow. Detach and remove any pool accessories such as ladders, floaties, return fittings, solar blankets, pool alarms, pool cleaner, and diving boards. Test And Balance Water03:33 - Step 4. Store these somewhere safe for the winter. Your vinyl liner can dry out, shortening its life considerably. Using the handle on your three-way valve, close the skimmer water intake completely (handle pointing up). Scaling creates deposits which can clog your filters and cause cloudy water. The same principle applies here. If you have a saltwater chlorination system, flip the switch to its winter setting on the chlorine generator. Store the basket and other accessories in a safe, dry space. Grab your pool cover and strap it down. Step 2: Deep clean the pool The end of summer isnt the worst thing in the world. Unlike Snow Miser or poor old Bucky Barnes, the chemicals you add to your above ground pool during closing are there to help during the cold season. It also makes opening it up next pool season a lot less messy. The pH of your pool water should be between 7.2 and 7.6 according to the chart. If youve struggled with a green, murky pool at opening in the past, or want to avoid one in the future, these little supplements can help immensely. You can buy chlorine shock chemicals in liquid or granular form online and in stores. In the last two weeks of pool use, add stain and scale remover to the pool water. Whats more, corroded metal can contaminate your water, causing more work the next summer. Similarly, make sure you have plenty of time to carry out the whole process before fully closing your pool. Using the cover just makes it easier, in my opinion. How to Winterize Your Above-Ground Pool PlumbingThe Easy Way Balanced water is less likely to cause damage to your pool liner and other components. Heres our step-by-step guide for closing your above-ground swimming pool for winter. Here's How To Winterize Your Above-Ground Pool In 11 Steps - Pool Care Guy You have a couple of options when youre winterizing your skimmer. The method you use for winterizing your above ground pool will depend on which type of filter you have. Typically, the best time to winterize your above-ground pool is around mid-October, or whenever the pool water dips below 65F and remains below that temperature. Clean and chlorinate your above ground pool. Just make sure the bottom of the skimmer is free and clear. Drain the chlorine feeder. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. And nobodys lining up for extra chores. Normal levels should be: The pH level is the acidity of the water. Visit HGTV for instructions on winterizing an above-ground pool and closing an in-ground pool to protect your pool and its equipment during the off-season. The first thing to do before putting the pool to bed is to make sure that the pH is 7.4 - 7.6 and the Alkalinity is 80-120 ppm. With almost 11 years of experience in the pool industry, Rick is an expert in solving even the most complex pool and hot tub issues. Of course, your pool might have more or less equipment than this, but the process is pretty much the same for all pool paraphernalia. In cold climates, placing a pool air pillowalso known as an ice compensator because it compensates for the pressure of the snow and ice on top of the coverunder the cover protects the sides of the cover and the walls of your pool from damage. Samsung's best PS5 SSD crashes to lowest price in early Prime Day deal, iPhone 15 Pro design tipped by leaked cases heres the changes, Apple Arcade is about to get two of the best Switch games ever, The best tech tutorials and in-depth reviews, Try a single issue or save on a subscription, Issues delivered straight to your door or device. In this video we show you how to winterize/close. Since you wont be adjusting the water balance during the off season, its better to be on the high side of these ranges when you close your pool because theyll naturally decrease over time. Leaving them in the pool can damage the items or, even worse, your pool. Pool lines can expand from icy conditions, or get mold, so storing them in a dry place will also protect them. Vacuum the entire pool, brush down the walls, and skim the surface. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Before the onset of the cold season, remove any debris from the pool and bring the chlorine level to 5 ppm. Did you know that a swimming pool provides one of the best fat burning workouts available? Note: Moving your hardware indoors after you disconnect it really is the best option. Find this Pin and more on Pool Maintenance by Pool Research. Shop Now 5 / 16 ZouZouBaBy/Shutterstock The next, you're looking at an inbox full of back-to-school emails. Skipping this step could lead to algae growth and stains while your pool is covered. Save over $300 by winterizing your pool in our step-by-step video course. Pool Winterizing Chemical Kits - http://bit.ly/37yEZUBTile & Vinyl Cleaner 4 x 1 Qt. Winterize Your Above-Ground Pool In 10 Easy Steps - Poolonomics This step will help to remove any hidden bacteria in the water that could cause algae to grow over winter. How to Winterize a Pool - This Old House To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. First, remove any floatable items in the pool before cleaning. And believe me youll thank yourself for it in the spring! Your hardware is safe, dry, and secure. The Pool Pump: Start by removing all drain plugs to get all of the water out of your pool pump, chlorinator, and hoses. Knowing how to close an above ground pool means mastering the mystical art of the inflatable. Copyright 2023 | Terms of Use | Privacy PolicyAll About Pools is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising programdesigned to provide a means for sites Try not to winterize the pool . If you click this link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you. As usual, test and balance out your pool's alkalinity, pH, and calcium hardness levels: Add 4 ounces of liquid algae control for every 4,000 to 5,000 gallons of pool water or as directed. The best time to winterize your pool is when the temperature around the pool drops below 65F (18C). If you call in a professional, you will have to pay for the service. My love for swimming pools started as a child when I would visit my aunt & uncles inground swimming pool on a frequent basis over the summer. Mix the control with cool water in a clean bucket. If the levels are high, they can cause calcium build-ups that make the water cloudy and cause sightly stains. Water too soft? Store indoors in the garage or a shed. Spread the shock treatment around evenly. Try these 7 tips, How to highlight text and make notes on your Kindle, Your iPad has a hidden battery health feature heres how to check it, 7 hacks to make a small bathroom look bigger, Renegade rows: How to do them, and the benefits for strengthening your back and core muscles, How to set Cinematic Wallpapers on a Google Pixel phone, 5 reasons you should always wash sportswear separately, How to save or export your Bing Chat responses, Your iPhones auto correct sucks heres how to turn it off, Paramount Plus price hike is here how much more you'll pay now, Rokus getting into live sports and its giving it away for free, Wow! You can use a thin rope to secure it to either side of the pool so that it stays in the middle, or use an accessory designed to center your pillow automatically. Can you imagine what would be in there if we left it for the whole winter? How to WINTERIZE An Above Ground POOL | Swim University Once youve chosen your type of chemical kit and shock, pre-dilute the shock in a five-gallon bucket of water. Whoa, not so fast! You can't just throw a cover over your pool and ignore it all winter. After you winterize your above ground pool a few times, the process will seem easier as you gain experience. Matt Giovanisci is the founder of Swim University and has been in the pool and spa industry since 1995. Dry them out completely and then make sure to store them all indoors for the winter season. Again, there are plenty of different winter pool chemical sets you can buy in plenty of places online or in stores. Most equipment will have a plug or cap that you can remove by twisting off or simply flipping open. Winter Pool Cover Air Pillow For Above Ground Pools, Complete Liquid Test Kit for Pools and Hot Tubs, Pool Winterizing and Closing Chemical Kit, Calcium Hypochlorite Pool Shock (Cal-Hypo Shock), Aquador Pool Skimmer Cover For Winterization. Even if winters are mild in your area, clearing, removing, and storing the lines will make for easier setup next spring. Test kit for chlorine, alkalinity, pH, and total hardness. Almost done! Test your pool water after cleaning to create a baseline. Dont forget, the ideal range is for alkalinity is 100 to 150 ppm. Once thoroughly drained, you will need to plug the pipes with drain plugs or caps. Temperatures drop. How to Winterize an Above-Ground Pool - The Spruce The cover will stop any foregin contaminants such as leaves and insects from getting into the water and providing a breeding ground for algae to grow. Starting the winter season off with a clean and balanced pool is a great way to avoid any damage to your pool liner and equipment while your pool is out of commission. Find the latest information on all of your pool needs! Most pool filters arent designed to withstand the freezing cold temperatures of winter, so if you leave them unused in the pool during these months, theyre likely to crack and stop working. Scrub the Pool Walls Even trace amounts of algae can spread over the winter and cause problems. Always remember to follow the directions on the label before use. Now that weve got all the general information out of the way, here are all the steps you should take to ensure your above ground pool survives the winter: This can seem like a daunting, scientific process but its actually a lot easier than you might think. Connect the air pillow directly to the winter cover with The Pool Pillow Pal. Alkalinity: Aim for 80120 ppm. There will be instructions on the packaging to indicate how much you should use depending on the size of your pool. How To Winterize An Above-Ground Pool In 12 Steps: The Good Pad But if you know how to properly close your above ground pool, you can get it done in a matter of hours and enjoy peace of mind while you wait for swim season on the other side of the thaw. Completely remove all drain plugs to drain and remove the pool pump, chlorinator (if you have one), and all the hoses. Regular pool shocking goes a long way toward keeping your swimming pools chemistry in balance and keeping algae growth under control. Appropriate clips are easy to come by and a lot of covers will come with them included. Balancing your water before closure helps ensure your pool is as prepared as possible to stand up to the winter months. Once youve completely drained all the water from the filter tank, remove drain plugs to the drain, pool pump, chlorinator, and all the hoses. Blow up the air pillow and place it in the middle of the pool. Many pool-closing techniques are simply the final pool maintenance activities of the season, such as skimming the water. Have Questions? Most of the steps on this list can be completed in a day. This will protect your pool and ensure that you dont waste energy heating a closed pool. Always use a pool cover designed for the size and shape of your pool. This is everything you'll need to get the job done in just a few hours' time. Some pillows also come with built-in grommets to allow you to secure them on all four corners for easy centering. 7 Steps to Winterize a Swimming Pool / Closing a Pool for Winter If you're looking to winterize your inground pool, see our article here: How To Winterize A Pool. Pool shock boosts your sanitizers abilities. Calcium Hardness: Bring the hardness levels to between 200 and 400 ppm. This keeps the pipes protected during the winter and ensures that water doesnt seep back into the equipment. Tired of popped pillows and sunken winter covers? If not, tightly turn off the faucet and add a winter cover over it. Finally, make sure no one swims in your nicely winterized pool and ruins all the hard work you put in. Your goal is a pH between 7.4 and 7.6, and alkalinity between 100 parts per million (ppm) and 150 ppm, with 125 ppm being ideal. We recommend buying an above ground pool cover pump to help remove excess water and keep your pool cover in good shape. Some things you should consider before starting this process are about preparing appropriately. Gather Your Pool Winterizing Supplies02:38 - Step 2. Never use a tarp as a pool cover. Temperatures drop. For anything large that has sunk to the bottom of the pool that's easy to grab, take it out with the skimmer net or leaf rake. Pool pipes and lines are essential for keeping the water level in your pool at the right point and for ensuring that the water is safe to swim in. Take a few minutes to test your pool water before you begin closing. You can think of it as pHs trusty sidekick in the battle for balanced water. Unscrew the inlet fitting on the inside wall of the pool. Remove all floating toys and pool equipment such as ladders from in or around the pool. Closing your Pool is part of owning it.
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