Winterising Your Pool: A Step-by-Step Guide to Closing for the Season
As the crisp autumn air settles in, it’s time for pool owners to start thinking about closing their pools for the winter. Properly winterising your pool is essential to protect it from the cold temperatures, debris, and potential damage that can occur during the off-season. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to close your pool for winter and ensure a smooth reopening come spring.
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
Before you begin the winterisation process, make sure you have all the necessary supplies on hand. You’ll need:
- Pool cover (preferably a winter pool cover)
- Pool chemicals
- Winterising kit
- Pool vacuum or leaf net
- Pool brush
- Winterising plugs
- Gizzmos (if you have skimmers)
- Air compressor or shop vac
- Pool antifreeze
- Pool cover pump (for solid covers)
Step 2: Clean and Balance Your Pool Water
Start by cleaning your pool thoroughly. Remove any debris from the water using a pool vacuum or leaf net. Brush the walls and floor to dislodge any algae or dirt. Once the pool is clean, balance the water chemistry to ensure it’s properly sanitised and pH-balanced.
| Pro Tip: Test your pool water a few days before closing to ensure it’s balanced and chemically treated. |
Step 3: Lower the Water Level
To prevent damage from freezing, lower the water level in the pool. Use your pool pump to lower the water level to just below the skimmer or return jets. If you have a vinyl liner pool, consult the manufacturer’s guidelines to determine the appropriate water level.
| Pro Tip: Drain water to the proper level to avoid unnecessary strain on your pool’s structure. |
Step 4: Blow Out the Lines
To prevent freezing and damage to your pool’s plumbing, you’ll need to blow out the lines. Disconnect the pump, filter, and any other pool equipment. Use an air compressor or shop vac to blow out water from the lines, starting from the pool and working your way back to the equipment. Add pool antifreeze to the lines to prevent any residual water from freezing.
| Pro Tip: If you’re unsure about the process or want to ensure it’s done correctly, don’t hesitate to consider professional assistance. At Salop Pool Services, we are experts in winterising pools and can provide the expertise needed to protect your pool from winter’s harsh conditions. |
Step 5: Remove and Store Equipment
Remove all pool accessories, such as ladders, diving boards, and skimmer baskets. Store them in a dry, protected area to prevent damage during the winter months. If you have a sand filter, remove the sand and store it indoors to prevent freezing and cracking.
| Pro Tip: Label and organise stored equipment for easy retrieval in the spring. |
Step 6: Install Winterising Plugs and Gizzmos
Place winterising plugs in the return jets and skimmer to prevent water from entering these areas. If you have skimmers, consider using gizzmos, which absorb expansion and prevent damage to the skimmer.
| Pro Tip: Apply a silicone-based lubricant to threads and O-rings to make removal easier in the spring. |
Step 7: Add Winter Chemicals
Add a winterising kit or appropriate winter chemicals to the pool water to help maintain water quality during the winter months. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for dosage.
| Pro Tip: Circulate the chemicals thoroughly before covering the pool to ensure proper distribution. |
Step 8: Cover the Pool
Finally, cover your pool with a high-quality winter pool cover. Ensure it fits snugly and is properly secured. If you have a solid cover, use a pool cover pump to remove any standing water to prevent damage to the cover.
| Pro Tip: Ensure your winter cover remains resilient under pressure. Think about employing a pool cover pump to eliminate water and melted snow before they have a chance to cause any harm. |
By following these steps, you can successfully close your pool for winter and ensure it remains in excellent condition throughout the cold months. Proper winterisation not only protects your pool but also makes the reopening process in spring more manageable, so you can enjoy your pool all over again.