With the winter season upon us, most of us have already, or are getting ready, to close up our pools for the winter. But before doing so, it is very important to make sure your pool maintains its proper chemical balance, reason being that an improperly balanced pool, left sitting over the long winter months, can cause corrosion and buildup within the pool.
For best results, your pool's pH level should be between 7.2-7.6. Your calcium levels should be around 175-250 ppm, while alkalinity should be at 80-120 ppm. And lastly and most importantly, your chlorine level should be 1-3 parts per million.
Ladders, rails, thermometers, and chlorine tablet holders, as well as any other essential pool accessories, should be removed and stored away from the pool. Also, don't forget to give your pool a scrub down and a final vacuum to prevent any stains from forming after it's closed up.
After that, it's a good idea to add in your weatherization chemicals, as they will need some time to sit and take effect. In the meantime, it's time to finish the rest of the work before closing up your pool.
Cleaning your skimmer, filter, and pump basket are among the more menial tasks. Chlorine products should be thoroughly washed out of your chlorination vessel, as this increases the possibility of more chlorine seeping into the pool, which might throw off the balance in your pool. Back-washing, which should be done regularly, should be done one final time. However, this is more of a preference than a necessity, especially if you have already done so recently.
As we all know, ice expands, so another good idea would be to empty your pool below the return line. How far below the return line is up to you, however just make sure you do NOT empty your pool completely, or you may cause some serious damage to your above ground pool.
To avoid any damage, and the bills that follow, to any hoses that are detachable, remove them and store them in a designated area such as a shed or a closed off patio, or even a pool box. Do not forget to double-check that these hoses are actually detachable, and consult your owner's manual to make sure you are detaching them correctly.
Personally, I use an air pillow for my pool. That is my personal preference though, and many people's tastes differ. Blowing up an air pillow can be tedious and hard labor however, so you are better off using a shop vacuum or an electric air inflation machine to do the deed. Using an air pillow is no easy task, as it must be properly aligned in the center, and often doing so, especially with the wind picking up, can be hard work. Just make sure that it is actually centered before tying the final strap.
After your air pillow is set up, it's time to put your cover on. I do not have a deck, so I tie my cover off on the grommets and use clips. But for those who have a deck, you might need to use bags to weigh it down and prevent it from flying off or coming loose.
Finally, an important tool, but one overlooked by many, is the cover pump. Until recently, I had never used one, but would have to buy a new cover ever several years. Cover pumps suck up any excess water, making it a vital tool on warmer winter days and during the late winter/early spring as the snow begins to melt.
David W. Mispilkin has been in the above ground pool installation business for the past 15 years. His experience includes, but not limited to above ground pool and liner sales, repairs, and installations. Over the years, David has installed thousands of above ground pools and liners from various manufacturers and has expertly installed moved and changed pools and liners
David shares his expertise and guides you through many above ground pool projects. please visit Dave's web site at http://www.davesabovegroundpools.com and find interesting content about above ground pool repair.
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