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Source Code: S9WCCOM | July 31, 2010
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Winterizing Kits

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Winter Tips
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 Closing Your Pool (Winterizing) for the Off-Season

Below is some basic information to help you winterize and cover your swimming pool for the off-season (or any prolonged period of inactivity). If you have questions or need additional information after reviewing this information, feel free to give our Pool Experts a call at 1-800-983-7665. We'd be happy to assist you.

ABOVE GROUND POOLS

#1 Check for Water Leaks
Before you can chemically treat your pool water and cover your above ground swimming pool, you should check the pool water level to ensure your pool liner isn't leaking. Many above ground pools are damaged during the winter season due to water leakage while the pool was shut down. This is because ice can form during the cold winter months and push against the interior walls of your pool. When this happens, the water beneath the ice is actually supporting the pool. If there is a leak, the water may drain out slowly over the course of the winter. Then, when temperatures start to increase in late winter, the ice can drop into the water beneath it. If the water level under the ice is low (or totally drained out) the ice can crash to the bottom of your pool because there's no water under it to cushion the fall. Your pool walls can become crimped and the total pool could be completely destroyed. Worst of all, you'll get no resolution from manufacturers... the pool manufacturer blames the liner manufacturer and visa-versa, and neither one will honor your warranty.

To check the water level, you should first mark it with a permanent marker. Then, place a pan with at least two inches of water in it on the ground next to the pool. Mark the water level in the pan of water, too. Leave the pool off for at least 24 hours (no vacuuming, or swimming - no activity whatsoever!). Now compare the water level in the pool to the water level in the pan. Both should be the same (since evaporation & rain would have been the same).

#2 Add the Winterizing Chemicals

Winterizing Chemical Kits
Many pool owners don't realize that winterizing your swimming pool water is as important as protecting the pool itself with a winter cover or safety cover. We stock only top-quality chemicals that ensure a smooth pool closing, and give you clear pool water next spring - with a minimum of time & money. Our Winterizing Chemical Kits are available in 4 specific sizes, so you only buy what you need for your sized pool. These Chemical Kits include chlorine-free pool shock, a chemical floater w/ oxidizer, winterizing algaecide, Winter Stain-Away and our exclusive Winter Sorb to purge oils, lotion and swimmer waste from your water. Also try our Winter Pool Secret™, a unique 3-in-1 treatment that's added before you cover your pool - it saves you money and helps ensure sparkling clear water for spring opening.

#3 Remove Summer Accessories
You should remove your solar blanket and lay it flat to dry before rolling & storing it in your basement or pool house for the season. Unless you have an appropriate protective cover, you should not leave your solar blanket out during the winter months.

You should also remove any accessories that protrude into the pool (including pool lights, fountains, or a pool cleaner attachment). Failure to do so could rip your pool liner or completely ruin your pool as ice grips the object and moves.

#4 Prep your Pump & Filter System
Backwash your filter thoroughly. For sand filters, remove the winter plug at the base of the tank & keep this drain open for the winter.

For DE & Cartridge filters, remove the drain plug and open the filter top. Remove the element (cartridge) & clean it thoroughly, hose it off and let it dry in a covered area. Do not put the element back in the filter until spring. Clean your DE Filter Grids or Flex Tubes with a garden hose (or cleaning solution if they look grayish or brown). Make sure that all the DE Powder is removed from the tank.

If your filter is not too heavy to move, consider moving it indoors for the winter. If you decide to leave your filter outside, wrap it with a wool blanket or use our Winter Cover Seal. You will probably have more than enough for the pool, so keep some for the filter & pump.

During the winter shutdown, plug your pump motor in for about two to three seconds per month. This will keep it ready for a successful spring start-up.

#5 Cover the Pool

Winter Covers
Winter Pool Covers are always made larger than the pool, so you can easily install and secure them. Generally, above ground winter covers are at least three to four feet larger than the pool size (e.g. a winter cover for a 24' round pool is 27' or 28' across). Winter covers are made to lie on top of the pool water; they are not made to stretch across the pool. They are available in mesh or solid materials; you should choose depending on the location or your pool, your preferences and your budget.

It is normal for water to accumulate on top of your solid winter cover. If you get a very large amount of water / snow melt on your cover, we recommend using a cover pump to remove some of it.

NOTES:
If your winter cover has sewn seams, it is important to NOT position the cover pump over a seam because this can result in removing pool water from the pool!
Solid winter pool covers (polyethylene material) allow for some seepage of water from the pool to the top of the cover. This is NORMAL.

Never disturb an ice block inside the pool by standing on the cover or shoveling snow off the cover as this can seriously damage the cover, and possibly the pool!

Special Notes for Above Ground Pools in Cold Climates
Pool owners in cold climates have to content with additional winterizing steps that are not required for pools in warmer areas.

First, we suggest you use a Skimmer Closure to keep you from having to drain the water below the skimmer opening. When ordering a Skimmer Closure, please provide the manufacturer or model number of your skimmer, so we can ensure you get the correct bolt pattern. The best time to add a Skimmer Closure is actually in the spring (when your water level is lowest). Skimmer Guards are also helpful, and protect your Skimmer from costly damage from expanding freezing water.


Air Pillows
In areas with colder winter temperatures, you must use an air pillow or ice equalizer to prevent the pool walls from crinkling. Air pillows are made of vinyl, and are filled with air from the exhaust of a vacuum cleaner. Inflate the pillow a few days before you intend to use it, as a way to check for any leaks, Secure the pillow(s) in the pool with a nylon string or rope.

In windy areas, we suggest securing your winter cover with cover clips (in addition to using the standard winch & cable system that comes with your winter cover). Many customers prefer using Winter Cover Seal - a polyethylene wrap in 500-foot rolls that is applied around the pool perimeter after the pool is covered. It stays in place all winter long and protects your winter cover from wind-whip damage.

> Shop Above Ground Winter Covers Now
> Shop Above Ground Winter Accessories Now

IN-GROUND POOLS

#1 Check for Water Leaks
You should check for water leaks before covering your in-ground swimming pool, to prevent damage caused by ice freeze-up during the winter season.

Water Quality & Water Level

Skimmer Closures
We suggest chemically treating your pool water right up until the day you plan to cover the pool. This will minimize your winterizing work (& Spring opening work, next season!). If your pool's skimmer(s) have a Skimmer Closure, you can leave the water at the summer level (for Solid Covers only). For Mesh Covers (which allow rainwater and snowmelt to seep into the pool), drain the water level down to approximately 2" below the bottom of the skimmer. The water level does NOT have to be lower than the return inlets.

Notes:
When buying a Skimmer Closure, please provide us with the manufacturer or model number of your skimmer, so we can ensure you get the correct bolt pattern. The best time to add a Skimmer Closure is actually in the spring (when your water level is lower).

#2 Filter Care
For sand filters where the pool has a bottom or main drain, change the filter valve position to "Waste", in order to lower the water level. "Waste" position bypasses the filter media and lets the water go out the backwash port, onto the ground. Next, backwash the filter (to clean the sand for next season) before your water level gets below the skimmer opening. Most in-ground pool sand filters can use the same sand (media) for up to five seasons. It's also a good idea to hook up your manual vacuum and clean any debris while your filter is in the "Waste" position (so you can clean the bottom and drain the water simultaneously). NOTE: Do not vacuum the pool with your valve set to the "Backwash" position.

For DE Filters, backwash completely and open the tank to clean or hose off the grids, fingers, or element. If your DE filter has a 6-Position or Multi-port valve on it, you can use the "Waste" Position to drain the water down and vacuum the pool bottom.

#3 Preparing the Pool for Covering
FILTERS - For cartridge or element type filters, remove the unit(s) & clean them for the spring season.

BLOW OUT THE UNDERGROUND LINES - Use a strong vacuum (on "exhaust") to blow any water out of your underground lines. A garage canister vacuum with good velocity works well. Or consider a Bypass Blower, which is specifically designed for vinyl liner installations and winterizing pools. If you think you may have not eliminated all of the water from the lines, you should use Super-Safe Pool Anti-Freeze. This product is non-toxic and will give you the protection needed. NEVER use automobile anti-freeze in your pool lines!

All Plugs and Drain Caps should be removed and put away for safekeeping for the spring.

Another item that will make closing the pool a bit easier is using the One-Way Winter Pool Valve. Simply replace your current "eyeball" fittings with our valve when winterizing, drain the water lines, fill with antifreeze (highly-recommended) and prevent any water from re-entering the lines - all without draining your pool.

HEATERS - Drain the heater and blow air into the heat exchanger to make sure that all water is eliminated. Mice can nest in the heater area and chew on the wires over the winter season. We suggest placing D-Con or Mouse Away into the heater compartment.

HANDRAILS AND LADDERS - these should be removed, if possible. Lift up the escutcheons and use an open-end wrench to loosen the bolt that presses the brass wedge against the round railing. Stuff newspaper into these holes for the off-season.

#4 Add the Winterizing Chemicals

Winterizing Chemical Kits
Many pool owners don't realize that winterizing your swimming pool water is as important as protecting the pool itself with a safety cover or winter cover. We carry top-quality winterizing chemicals that ensure a smooth pool closing, and give you clear pool water next spring - with a minimum of time & money. Our Winterizing Chemical Kits are available in 4 specific sizes, so you only buy what you need for your sized pool.

We also suggest using our Winter Sorb to purge oils, lotion and swimmer waste from your water. And try our amazing Winter Pool Secret™ before you cover your in-ground pool... it's an easy-to-use, 3-in-1 treatment that saves you money and helps ensure sparkling clear water for spring opening next season.

#5 Cover the Pool

Winter Covers
Properly securing your winter cover is the trick to effective winterizing. We recommend using water tubes instead of blocks, wood, or sand bags if you are using a "lay-on-the-water" type Winter Cover. Never tie bungee cords to the grommets as these will positively rip out. Pool covers are made larger than the pool and are made large enough that the material rests on the top of the water. Safety Covers are designed to be stretched taut over the pool. A properly fitted and installed Safety Cover will be the best investment you could ever make.

Water Accumulation
It is normal for water to accumulate on top of your solid winter cover. If you get a very large amount of water / snow melt on your cover, we recommend using a cover pump to remove some of it.

NOTES ABOUT USING A COVER PUMP: If your winter cover has sewn seams, it is important to NOT position the cover pump over a seam because this can result in removing pool water from the pool!

Solid winter pool covers (polyethylene material) allow for some seepage of water from the pool to the top of the cover. This is NORMAL.

Never disturb an ice block inside the pool by standing on the cover or shoveling snow off the cover as this can seriously damage the cover, and possibly the pool!

> Shop In-Ground Winter Covers Now
> Shop In-Ground Winter Accessories Now