Among the main tasks at this time when the temperature starts cooling down towards winter is winterizing your above-ground pool. This will protect it from damage, increasing its life and saving money. The cold weather in winter can be particularly harsh on the pool components, especially for pools using sand filters.
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However, if you can take a right action going with the utilization of compatible equipment, your investment can become more reasonable and your pool can come back into reuse normally when the next spring comes. In this post, you may understand how to winterize an above ground pool with sand filter so as to make your pool stay in a good condition during the days of whole winter season.
1. Pool Closing Equipment
Before you start winterizing, it is necessary for you to prepare all the required tools that you need in the process. This would ensure a faster process without having to stop somewhere along the process to find things you do not have. The list of needed supplies includes the following:
- Winterizing kit or the individual chemicals: pH increaser, alkalinity increaser, calcium hardness increaser, pool shock, algaecide, and clarifying enzyme supplement.
- Expansion plugs for the skimmer and return lines.
- Above-ground pool winter cover with cover winch and cable or clips.
- Pool air pillow to help keep debris and water off of the cover.
- Gizzmo skimmer expansion plugs to protect your skimmer from freezing.
2. Clean Your Pool Thoroughly
A clean pool is a must for proper winterization. Before you close your pool:
- Completely vacuum the entire pool.
- Scrub down the walls.
- Remove the fallen leaves, debris, and dirt on the surface.
It is definitely important for you to clean your pools before handling the winterizing process so that the microorganisms or harmful substances can be eliminated. A clean swimming pool can make the water chemistry content stay in the coming winter. In this case, you do not need to spend lots of time in cleaning your pool when spring comes.
3. Test and Adjust Your Water Chemistry
You DO need to test the necessary chemistry data to balance the water quality ahead of adding any winterizing chemicals. In this way, the facilities of your pool will be effectively protected in this winter. Just check the following data by using water testing kits and strips:
- pH Level: Ensure the data ranging from 7.4 to 7.6.
- Alkalinity: Should be kept between 100 and 150 ppm for balancing optimal water.
- Calcium Hardness: Better ranging from 175 ppm to 225 ppm. Or else, calcium buildup problems may occur unexpectedly.
- Chlorine Content: Maintain the level between 1 ppm and 3 ppm to avoid the growth of bacteria and algae.
4. Add Winterizing Chemicals
Once your water is balanced, it’s time to add winterizing chemicals. These will help keep your pool clean and prevent potential issues, like algae. Key chemicals to add include:
- Pool Shock: Shocking your pool will remove bacteria and algae that help keep your pool water safe and transparent through the winter.
- Winter Algaecide: This is optional, though very highly recommended if algae problems were an issue. It’ll help prevent algae from growing under the cover.
- Clarifying Enzyme Supplement: This may be of help in breaking down organic material and clarifying the water.
Do remember to follow the instructions from where you buy these winterizing chemcial products.
5. Disconnect and Store Pool Lines
To prevent damage to your pump and sand filter from freezing water:
- Disconnect the hoses and drain the water.
- Switch off the pump and filter while proceeding to disconnect the hoses at and to the pump as well as the filter system.
- Let the water drain out of each one completely and then store them in a dry, protected location to prevent mold or mildew buildup.
6. Winterize the Skimmer, Sand Filter, and Pump
The following can be performed for winterizing the skimmer, filter, and pump:
- Skimmer: The skimmer basket can be removed and placed in a safe location. Install a gizzmo skimmer expansion plug to prevent freezing.
- Sand Filter: If your filter is sand, turn the multiport valve to the “Winterize” position. Take out the drain plug at the bottom of sand filter so that it bleeds completely. Take the filter indoors so it does not get damaged by the cold.
- Pump: A backwash operation should be performed on the pump for cleaning. The valve setting should be in the “winterize” position. Water should be drained out of the pump, hoses disconnected, and stored indoors in a protected area.
7. Lower the Water Level (If Necessary)
Next, reduce the level of water in the pool. The whole pool should not be entirely drained, as this may cause damage to the walls of the pool and the vinyl liner. Instead, the water should be lowered below the level of the skimmer and the return lines, leaving enough water in the pool to prevent the walls from buckling under the weight of snow or ice.
8. Pool Pillows
The purpose an air pillow set under your pool cover achieves in colder areas is wall protection and protection of the cover. Just inflate it to about 50-60% to give room for the temperature changes that might be experienced which could further cause the air inside to expand. In this way, the cover will not cave in due to snowing or ice and further prevent debris as well as rain water from getting on the cover.
9. Cover the Pool
Now it’s time to set up your winter cover. Lay out the cover and position it tightly across the pool. Use a cover winch and cable or cover clips to keep it in place during these winter days. Make sure it is snug but not over-tightened to prevent damage by wind or snow.
10. Conclusion
Winterizing your above-the-ground pool with a sand filter is essential to keep your pool in great shape for years to come. By doing these steps—cleaning the pool, testing and adjusting the water chemistry, adding the right chemicals, and properly securing your pool’s components—you will prevent damage and minimize the work involved when reopening your pool next spring.
Periodically check the pool throughout the winter for the integrity of the cover on and no problems arising. With these precautions, one will be ready for the smooth opening in spring for many seasons of enjoyment to come.