How to Prepare Your Pool for Winter
One Final Cleaning
Take an afternoon and do some one last final cleaning of your pool. You will appreciate it when you re-open your pool for next season!
First, remove any leaves, sticks, bugs or other debris from your skimmer basket and all other filtration devices. Then, using a pool vacuum, go over the entire pool floor to remove any debris that has sunk to the bottom. Be sure to also wipe down the sides of the pool if any algae growth is present.
During the cleaning process, be sure to stop and empty the skimmer basket several times. This will ensure a smooth flow of water from your return, back into the pool, and keep the vacuum suction strong enough to pick up larger debris.
Once the pool is visually clean, take a moment to backwash the pool, to remove any fine pieces of debris from the filter.
Preparing Accessories for Storage
The next step to preparing your swimming pool for the end of the season is to clear out all pool accessories including inflatable toys, life-preservers, poles, cleaning utensils and poles.
All inflatable pool toys should be rinsed to remove any dirt and debris, dried and then deflated for safe winter storage. Vinyl, latex and spongy toys, such as fun noodles, should be stored in the basement, or a heated garage, so they don’t get brittle by dramatic temperature changes. By taking good care of your pool toys at the end of the season, you will ensure they make it to the next pool season.
All hoses should be detached from pool vacuums, the filter and skimmer. They need to be completely drained so when they are placed in storage, residual water doesn’t freeze and expand and contract causing tears or cracks in your hoses.
Take a minute to also look over your pool filter. Be sure you place it on the “winterize” setting when you are preparing to finally close the pool for the season. Also be sure to remove the drainage cap or plug so any winter moisture build-up can escape from the filter. If it is not allowed to escape, the water an freeze in the base of your filter, causing it to crack.
Final Chemical Treatment
Just before you close your pool for the end of the season, you will need to add one last dose of chemicals to help your water get through the winter, and have a successful opening next season.
The use of a superchlorinator, or shock treatment, is necessary to ward off any last minute algae growth on the unusually warm winter days. A dose of algaecide is also imperative to help retard growth of early spring algae before you re-open your pool.
Be sure to do one last water check to be sure all chemicals are balanced before closing your pool for the season.
By taking an extra day to properly prepare your pool for the end of the season, you will have an easier time re-opening your pool next summer, less accessories to replace season after season and pool toys that last years!
