Remove the eyeball fitting on your return line and plug it with a rubber plug and wing nut. Skimmer plugs seal off the opening of your skimmer and keeps water out. "identifier": "" NOTE: A swimming pool winterization of this type is rarely done in Texas or some of the other southern states because the weather typically does not stay below freezing for enough days to freeze the ground to a depth where there are benefits from blowing out the lines or having anti-freeze in them. "publisher": { Remove the pressure valve from the sand filter, and remove the drain plugs from the pump and put them in the pump basket. You may have to do this a few days before you officially close the pool, depending on the type of shock you buy. Pool antifreeze: Is it needed?, National Pool Closing Day is nearly here! Shut off power to the pump, light and heater at the circuit breaker box. Or if you have anchors, you can secure them that way. For these types of covers, you may need to secure them in place with water bags or water tubes. If you live in milder climates, you can skip certain steps like adding antifreeze, and you may even be able to keep your hoses and filters connected. But with the right supplies, and by following all the steps we've included in the guide below, you'll find it's actually a pretty stress-free process. Cartridge filters should have the cartridge removed and cleaned thoroughly. * Pricing, promotions and availability may vary by location and at lesliespool.com. And while they are especially important for above ground pools, theyre also great for inground pools as well. Even trace amounts of algae can spread over the winter and cause problems. Pour a gallon of pool antifreeze into the attachment hose, so that it enters the return line. This is a crucial step in winterizing your inground pool. You can use a submersible pump to remove water from the pool. It also allows you to have your pool up and running faster when you reopen it. Its an easy process to follow, but. Doing this will protect the edge of the pool from staining and etching. This will keep the water flowing, which will prevent freeze damage in your pool equipment and plumbing. This preps it for the winter months so nothing left inside can freeze and damage the filter. If total alkalinity is low, add a total alkalinity increaser. The pool cover you choose should be durable and a good fit for the pool. Keep a close eye on the forecast, and keep the pump running whenever there's a chance of freezing temperatures. We needed new pool lights and other types of pool repairs. A pool can be everything from Clear the water from the pool lines using a blower, then plug them up with expansion plugs. Follow these steps to properly winterize your D.E. How to Winterize a Pool - This Old House Shut off the pump, roll out backwash hose, check waste line for any closed valves. Experts agree that the best way to winterize a portable above-ground pool is to drain it, disassemble it and pack it away until next year. While it may seem like a negligible difference, it's important to wait until the temperatures in your area consistently stay below 60 to 65F. "url": "https://lesliespool.com/", Matt walks you through the process of closing an inground swimming pool. Like the suction lines, this process involves clearing the return lines of any water that can freeze and damage them. Buy Your Deluxe Gizzmo Here: http://bit.ly/pool-skimmer-gizzmo50% of new pools don't have main drains. Cover the pool using a properly sizedsafety coverorwinter cover. Blow out lines and pipes. When the water has completely drained out of the plumbing lines (or after you've blown out the lines), put winterizing plugs into the returns of your inground pool. I would like to go back to factory settings. PUMP HAS STALLED. Pool equipment must also be winterized and stored for the season. All rights reserved. Getting this job done properly is the best way to protect your investment. If filled elsewhere, be careful not to drag or drop the water bags as they are moved around the pool. But the winter kit will make things easier on you since it has everything you need, and it will save you a little money. These are included in Leslie's Pool Closing Kits, or can be purchased separately. Winter covers offer less protection, but you wont have to deal with the extra step of securing them. Now remove the blower and plug the bottom of all the skimmers with a winter plug. Test the water chemistry against the following parameters: Test and balance in the order listed. Closing vs. Winterizing a Pool Additionally, before you put a cover on an above-ground pool, install an air pillow at the center (and keep it anchored there) to absorb the expansion of ice within the pool and keep the snow that piles up on the cover from exerting too much pressure. It will also cause an "air lock" in the plumbing to prevent water from rising up from the main drain. How To Close And Winterize Your Inground Swimming Pool Start by skimming large debris from the surface and floor of the pool. If you have any handrails, diving boards, or pool slides that will come in contact with the pool cover, consider removing those, as well. Clean the water with a pool skimmer and remove any floating debris. This will lower the likeliness of your pool being overtaken by algae, which thrives in warmer temperatures. The kits may also include shock packs as part of the process. Tip: Wait until youre sure its the end of swimming season before closing the pool around 65 degrees Fahrenheit and continuing lower. This will make its way into the suction lines, protecting them from freezing up over the cold months. If you want to be extra careful about preventing burst pipes, consider adding pool antifreeze. Youll now need to test your water to make sure all the chemicals are properly balanced. Take the drain plug off the bottom of the filter and drain all the water. The best way to avoid pool freeze damage is to blow out the lines when you winterize your inground pool. Remove the eyeball fitting on your return line and plug it with a rubber plug and wing nut. Its important to make the remaining water asclean as possible, because any debris can cause problems if its trapped over winter. Builders are moving away from them because of the Virg. Lower the water level of your inground pool between 6-12 below the bottom of the tiles, if you have a pool safety cover. Use an anchor hex key tool to twist the anchors and bring them up to the surface. Its also a good idea to clear your pool timer fully so that if power is restored, your pool wont accidentally turn on. Finish up by vacuuming the pool thoroughly to remove all remaining dirt, leaves and debris. "url": "https://i8.amplience.net/i/lesl/LES00004-Leslie's-Logo-Refresh_Final_FullColor_Outlines_Crop" The key to successfully closing and reopening a pool lies in the water balance. And read instructions carefully to avoid making any mistakes. Copyright 2022 In The Swim. "description": "Summertime is over, and it's time to winterize your inground pool. Kamron's expertise ranges from troubleshooting saws and lawnmowers to painting kitchen cabinets. After blowing the lines, place your grid assembly or filter cartridge back in the tank for safekeeping during the winter. The water will enter the Gizzmo instead, and damage that, rather than your entire skimmer structure. Manually skim off any debris floating around, then scrub the surface down good with your pool brush, paying particular attention to any areas you see buildup, algae or dirt. If you dont see bubbles coming out of the return jets, turn off the pump and prime it by pouring water into the pump basket, then turn it back on. 12 Modern Pool Fence Ideas - Best Inground Pool Fence - House Beautiful However, waiting too late to winterize your pool risks damaging your pool equipment due to freezing temperatures. But you can also take it to your local pool store if youd like a more accurate reading. Algae is naturally occurring in plants and soil. We also show. Before starting, either drain the pool just below the skimmer, or block the skimmer using something of similar size (a rectangular tupperware lid works well). Feel free to leave us a message and we will be in touch as soon as an agent is available. You can add this directly to the skimmer while the pump is running. 1. Put on the pool cover and secure with winter cover clips. Replace if needed, or lube it up if its still ok to use. Inspect your ladder treads closely for cracks, and tighten any loose ladder bolts. They protect skimmer lines (which may require skimmer guards), return lines and cleaner lines. }, Remove articles as ladders, hoses, over-the-top skimmers, floats, toys, and so forth. If you want something a little more durable than thin water tubes, you can also try using a product like Aqua Bloks, which will hold up to many years of use. Depending on the type of cover you have, you may need help putting your winter cover on. Any instructions on how to close a pool for winter will emphasize this step. This can prevent damage, both to the cover and to the pool liner because it helps prevent too much expansion if the water freezes. Youll need to follow the manufacturers instructions for how much to add, but most say about 1 gallon of antifreeze for every 10 feet of pipe. The first step in the winterization procedure is to make sure your water chemistry is balanced, including the pool's pH, total alkalinity, and calcium hardness. Its finally time to put the cover on the pool! You can save yourself money and time waiting for an appointment. In both cases, after cleaning, reinstall the filter media back into the tank for winter storage. It is now becoming common to perform this method throughout the US and in other countries. In normal conditions, these can be placed 18 inches apart, but in windy areas, they should be placed end-to-end to hold the cover in place. Sand and D.E. "author": { Is there a particular order in blowing the lines for winterizing our inground pool? Its important to start winterizing with balanced pool water chemistry. After youve lowered the water level, remove the salt cell. Water bags are used a little differently in the winter. A mid-winter shock may be necessary for pools in warmer climates. Calcium Hardness should be about 200400 ppm, which is ideal. And chemical cleaners can only do so much. To do this, you will have to follow a proper sequence of steps and make sure the correct maintenance chemicals are added to the water. But its easy to learn what the plugs look like and where to search for them. This is usually done the night before you winterize, so the shock has plenty of time to be circulated and work its magic. It was nice to know that he was on top of things for us. Screw the pool skimmer Gizzmo to the suction line inside the skimmer, protecting the skimmer from freezing if water gets inside. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Next, adjust the pH to between 7.47.6. Start with the suction side and move to the pressure side. Addnon-toxic pool antifreezeto all lines. First, you'll want to make sure you have the right winterizing supplies including tools, chemicals, and accessories on hand. Wiggle the ladder loose so the pool cover will fit properly. Finally, use the blowout extension or add a Skimmer Guard into the skimmer to seal the skimmer pipe. A pool that is thoroughly cleaned with properly balanced water is much quicker and easier to open the following summer than one that is improperly closed. Wind blows the spores into the water of outdoor pools. Skim, vacuum and brush the pool thoroughly, in that order. Read this guide to learn the steps for winterizing in-ground and above-ground pools. This includes ladders, cleaners, baskets, floats, and any other nonessential pool accessory. Failing to winterize the pool skimmer properly can result in cracked skimmers and broken pipes come spring. "@type": "ImageObject", Pools that are drained cause a lot of undue stress on the pool cover shortening its life by exposing the pool liner to the air. Keeping several small pails or pans of water around the pool is a good idea to keep birds and critters from poking holes in the pool water bags for a drink.
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