Winter is approximately knocking at the door! A lot of work has been added to your to-do-list including winterizing your swimming pool.
Well, why winterizing pool? Because You never wish to have a crashed-down pool as a result of freezing water.
Well, we can feel you! It’s very important to know how to winterize a pool if you want to see it in a good shape during reopening the pool in spring.
It’s a pretty big deal to do the job. But hey! We will help you out to walk through the right path. As it costs a good amount of time, keep a weekend in your hand!
It’s time to start the journey!
What things will you need?
The things you need to order ahead are almost the same for an above-ground pool and an in-ground pool. Let’s check it out!
1. Winterizing chemical kit
2. Pool shock
3. Winter algaecide(optional)
4. Pool winter cover
5. Skimmer cover
6. Cover clips
7. Cove winch
8. Pool air pillow (only for an above-ground pool)
9. A leaf net
Now you are ready to winterize the pool.
How to winterize your pool?
If all of the above-mentioned items are ready, you can go through these steps:
Step-1: Measure your pool
The very first step is to make sure you own a proper-sized pool cover. To do so, Measure the width and length of your pool and check out whether it’s the right size for the cover or not.
Step-2: Clean your pool
Clean this for one last time. Remove all the toys and floats from the pool water. Skim your pool before the installation, remove the obstructions, remove all the debris from the pump basket and the skimmer.
Step-3: Chemically treat your pool
Chemical imbalance is harmful to your pool water. So, check out the chemical levels for the last time. You can do it yourself with a chemical kit. For this, make sure the ranges are at the point:
Calcium hardness: Between 175-225 ppm
pH : Between 7.4-7.6
Alkalinity : Between 100-150 ppm (ideally 125ppm)
Chlorine : Between 1-3 ppm
These ranges should be your goal. If the pH level is too high, no need to worry, you have an option to know about lowering the pH level.
Step-4: Shock your pool
Shock your pool and leave it for a night before closing the pool. But you also can use a fast-dissolving shock which will take less time to work.
If you are new to shock a swimming pool and have less idea about this job, don’t worry! Glance over below:
You will need a pool shock, some safety-stuffs, a bucket, and a stirring stick. Unpack the shock and add it to the water. Mix it by using the stirring stick. At last, slowly pour it into the pool water and leave the pool for 6-8 hours or a whole night. That’s it!
Step-5: Use a dash of algaecide
Well, it’s optional but recommended, it will keep your water safer by preventing the growth of algae.
You can add a clarifying enzyme treatment to keep the water away from contamination, liner stains and even from algae growth. This will make an end of struggling with green, murky pool water.
Step-6: Cover the skimmer
There are two options for protecting the skimmer. But the first thing to do is to remove the skimmer basket and keep it somewhere safe and dry for the season, winter.
Now, you can choose whether you will cover the skimmer or not. If you want to cover this up, it will allow covering the entire skimmer and sealing out the elements. You won’t need to drain your pool below the skimmer line. Isn’t it time-saving?
What if you won’t cover the skimmer? You have to look after carefully during winter to assure water can drain out while raining. About the bottom of the skimmer, keep it free, clear, and avoid plugging it up.
Sep-7: Install the pool pillow
It’s highly recommended for an above-ground pool. Guess why? Because, when the water will start freezing, the pool cover will be extended. Pressure will be created against the pool’s wall. It will cause a pool to crash down the pool.
So, we are installing the pillow so that the pressure can be against the pillow and can save the above-ground pool’s wall. All you need to do is to inflate the pillow and tie-down it at the center of the pool.
About the in-ground pool, it also will be extended but the pressure will be against the ground. So, it won’t be as harmful as an above-ground one.
Step-8: Install the pool cover
95% of the work has been done. It’s time to cover the pool. Use a reinforced, anchored, mesh safety cover. It will save your pool from a child or pet wandering into the pool.
Remember, it’s at least a two-person job. Do it very carefully as every edge of your pool can be covered up properly.
Keep an eye on your cover throughout the winter and try best to keep it dry. You can buy a pool cover pump to remove the excess water. It will keep your pool in good shape.
Step-9: Install the leaf net
Actually, it is basically for the areas with a fair amount of trees. A leaf net over the cover will help to remove the majority of the leaves and prevent a mess on the top of the cover.
Installing a leaf net is totally the same as installing the pool cover. It’s also at least a two-person job.
Conclusion
All is done! You and your pool now can rest easy for the whole winter season. You provided the pool a pillow and blanket for the winter, so no tension! (chuckle)
After knowing it all, it’s not a tough question for you, how to winterize a pool anymore, is it? We tried to make it as simple as possible, just for you!
Now, your water will preserve its quality and the pool’s structural integrity will be perfect throughout the season.
Do each of the work carefully to prevent any long-term sufferings. Use the chemicals with a protective outfit.
Go ahead, happy winterizing!
Very helpfu. Thank you!