Making sure you look after your pool and spa during the cold months
An important part of maintaining a spa, hot tub, swim spas or swimming pool includes preparing it for those months when you may not be using it. Most people believe that pools should be closed when night time temperatures are in the 40s and daytime highs are in the mid 60s to low 70s. The escalation of algae can be increased if the lid is shut too early. There will be more to clean up if you wait until the trees shed their leaves.
It is often thought necessary to winterize the plumbing, equipment and pool structure before any of these components freeze. Pools owners should inspect the structure. If something needs to be repaired, you should do it before closing your pool for the season and ideally before the freezing weather sets in.
A vacuum should be used to extract the waste water into appropriate drains. Vacuum on the filter position only if you filter doesn’t have a waste indicator. Its is easier to suck the waste using a vacuum.
It is recommended to carry out this water treatment in the winter so that the water does not become corrosive when the temperature drops to the freezing point or below. Winter chemicals will be added either before draining or before placing the pool cover on. Always check the instructions that came with your chemicals if your not sure.
After closing the valve on the skimmer line, you should then lower the water level to about 18 inches below the pool’s coping. The type of pool has an impact of how far you lower the level.It is advised to check the manual for your pool from the manufacturers website.
Be sure to drain the water and blow water out of all piping. To blow water out of circulation lines it is advisable to use a tank vacuum cleaner on reverse flow or an air compressor. You try an extract as much as possible from the heater and filter. Make sure to add the nontoxic antifreeze when winterizing. This is usually available at most pool supply stores. The chemical mix will help protect the pool from freezing over.
Drain valves thoroughly, making sure that any below water level are securely sealed. It is essential to use an electric heat tape for lines below the water level that could be exposed to freezing.
Lights that have less than 18 inches of water above them are best removed. It can be stored in a dry place as long as wrapped in plastic.
Drain the pump by removing the plugs and with the help of a wet/dry vac remove all the water from the pump housing and strainer compartment. Try not to remove the drain plugs when adding the antifreeze. Rust can be prevented by coating the drain hole threads.
All filters should be completely drained and drain plugs left out and again apply a lubricant to the threads.
Finally the cover. This should be secured tightly to keep out all the elements until the pool is required again in the Spring!