August 27, 2012

Closing Your Above Ground Swimming Pool

Winterizing your swimming pool is the first step to having a great opening experience in the spring.

You should follow the recommendations that you received from the manufacturer of your product or builder of your swimming pool; there might be something different than what I am writing here  (Always follow the guidelines from your manufacturer or builder) ...... 

Important:  If you have any existing problems, like combined chlorine, cloudy water or algae growth, take care of the problems before you close the pool.

Start by testing your pool water, perform a winterization analysis at a BioGuard Swimming Pool Dealer, the balancing levels are slightly different for winter temperatures than for in-season. 

Get your pool clear, clean and in good balance first; Brush and vacuum, clean the water line, cleaning the pool surfaces before shutting down will help prevent permanent staining.  Clean the filter sand with Strip Kwik and Kleen It.

Clean out the skimmer baskets, if your pool is going to be winterized, remove the baskets and store them til spring.
 

Partially drain the pool - as recommended by your pool builder or manufacturer. 
Make sure the hoses are disconnected from the pump and filter, so the water can not run back in to the equipment.  (Very Important)

Winterize the pool equipment; put the filter valve handle on winterize, remove the filter drain cap and put it in the pump basket (so it doesn't get lost).  The pump also has a drain plug, drain the water out of the pump, put the drain plug back in and add some swimming pool antifreeze to keep the pump seal moist all winter. 

 Add winter chemicals to the pool:
Chlorine:  Predissolve the chlorine (taking safety precautions), add dissolved product to the pool, mix in the pool with your pool brush or net, then add the algicide.

Softswim:  Add the recommended amounts of Shock, Algicide and Sanitizer.  

Other systems of pool sanitation; check with your pool dealer or follow the manufacturer guidelines.

Put the winter cover on the pool.

If the climate is warm, it may be necessary to add more chlorine and algicide once more through the winter.  Visit with your pool dealer about the best way to accomplish that. 

As always, check with your local pool dealer or manufacturer.  Winterizing pools is different in different parts of the country.  Make sure you're following the recommended method for your area.

It's Kansas

Well just like Mom and Dad always told me, "if you don't like the weather today, hang around a while and it'll change"....

Kansas weather, always changing.  Just like our lives, our jobs, our circle of friends.
The scorching heat has departed for a time and allowed cooler weather to cover our part of the world.  Welcome relief as school starts for lots of students!

Don't forget your swimming pool, you might not be using it quite as much, but it still needs regular filtration and chemicals.  The algae will be there waiting for an opportunity to grow, if you forget to check the pool.  You can bring a water sample for us to check anytime.