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Closing Your Pool For The Winter

By Francis Lowe

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Published: 20Feb2012
Word count: 910
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At the end of the swimming season it is advisable to follow this closing down procedure, to protect your pool and its equipment, and also to make it easier to open in the Spring. .

Winterizing - 9 Point Summary

1. Remove your solar cover to protect from frost and ice. Wash off thoroughly, fold or roll, and store in a clean, dry place. Solar covers are vulnerable to attack from chlorine so a cover should be washed off before storing for the winter. If you have a reel system, either dismantle it and store inside, or purchase a winter storage cover to protect it.

2.Remove leaves and debris, thoroughly brush and clean sides and floor of the pool, and vacuum all over. Any contaminant left could cause an unsightly case of algae. Best to remove it now.

3. Adjust the pH to between 7.2 and 7.6 and dose using Chlorine Shock Granules. The effectiveness of chlorine can be vastly reduced if the pH is out of range. A good dose of chlorine at the end of the summer will help to prevent algae growth during the close dwn period.

4.Add specialist Wintering chemicals in the form of algicide, to maintain the water through the close down period. Typically Winter Algaecide is available in two forms. A long life algaecide, with which you dose the pool only once, or a regular algaecide which is usually added every fortnight or so. The long life tends to be more expensive but is less onerous. Do not use a Summer Algaecide. The Winter formulation is different, and usually contains a flocculant in addition to the algaecide.

5. Backwash filter, to remove any dirt and sediment, leaving the sand clean for the new season.

6. Drop the water level to just below the level of the skimmer and drain all the pipework lines as much as possible.Drain down the equipment, and if possible, store the pump in a dry environment, or coat with a moisture repellent spray.

7. Float some buoyant material (i.e. some part filled plastic bottles) in the water to allow expansion of ice therefore preventing damage. If ice forms the plastic can take up the expansion of the ice rather than the walls.

8. Remove and store all equipment such as ladders, diving boards, weirs and skimmer baskets before lastly fitting the winter cover.

9. Finally fit the Winter Debris Cover. This is essential to prevent dirt entering during the winter. Make sure it fits the pool correctly otherwise all the work that has been done so far could be in vain.

Check the pool periodically over the winter. Add more winterising chemicals if necessary, and lower the water level in the event of heavy rainfall.

Francis Lowe is a leading expert in swimming pool maintenance with a huge wealth of experience developed from 40 years in the industry. To see a full range of pool equipment, including swimming pool covers and solar covers please see the website of specialist supplier poolwarehouseuk.com

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