If we can afford it, I am sure we’d have a pool constructed in our backyard for the little one who is so enamored with water that he can spend the entire day dipping and swimming in the pool. I am sure it will be well worth it and Jared will see to it that he maximizes every cent spent on building it.
Pools are really fun but at the same time they require a lot of maintenance.
Most people forget about their pool once the season is over. But, if you do not prepare it for winter, there will be a lot of issues to deal with once the spring comes around.
So, why is it so important to prepare the pool for winter season?
If you took care of it in time, water within the pool will remain clean and pure until the next seasons and you won’t have to replace it.
In most cases, pool will have to remain fully or at least partially filled with water. This is especially important for concrete pool with ceramic and mosaics.
In case of polyester pools as well as the pools with PVC foil, there should be approximately half of water remaining as a way to avoid damage from underground water.
Besides that, in case of PVC, water keeps the foil always stretched so you are able to avoid wrinkles which appear in case of empty pool.
Anyway, if you already decided not to leave it full, at least leave the minimal level suggested by your pool expert!
This is how much certain pools require:
- Polyester pool – from 1/3 to 2/3 water
- Pools with vinyl – from 1/2 to 2/3 water
- Concrete pools – full
Bear in mind that concrete pools can sometimes stay empty. The main condition is to make sure that there won’t be any underground water bellow it and also, by making sure that it remains covered during the whole seasons keeping it dry.
We also recommend to keep the pool covered during winter (regardless of the type which you have) so that the leaves and other dirt wouldn’t fall in it.
Besides that, you are able to protect certain materials such as polyester by using these covers. Bellow the cover, water will remain warm for a longer period of time without freezing.
Naturally, before covering the pool, make sure that it is clean and algae free.
In case of the pools that are completely filled with water even during the winter, make sure to install a special system which allows water circulation. This will prevent water from falling below 2, 3 degrees Celsius.
Furthermore, if you wish so, your pool can be completely functional during the winter season.
How does the procedure differ based on the pool and equipment?
First and foremost, the entire procedure depends on pool type, how much water will be inside of it, whether the filters will work during the winter etc.
Regardless of the covers, it is best if you add antifreeze to it. The product will protect it from ice pressure preventing any damage to it.
What are the things to keep in mind as I prepare my pool for winter season?
The entire preparation process can be performed when water in the pool doesn’t exceed 12 to 14 degrees Celsius.
At this temperature, growth of algae is considerably slowed and besides that, at higher temperature winter algaecide will start dissolving. It is recommended that you perform shock chlorination of water several days before actual preparation in order to kill all the bacteria.
Make sure to use smaller quantity of chlorine in comparison to that which you would’ve used during the summer period.
When there is no more free chlorine in the water, you are ready to cover your pool.
Preparation procedure
- Shock chlorination
As we mentioned, several days before preparation, you should perform this process in order to kill bacteria
- Cleaning the edges and adjusting the level of water
Make sure to thoroughly clean all the edges of the pool and then, clean the bottom. After that, you can clean the filter.
In case you have a pool that needs to be partially filled, you will have to reduce level of water to 20, 30 centimeter bellow the nozzle. Always leave some water in the pool. Be careful of underwater reflectors and other elements installed in your pool. If you have a pool that needs to remain filled during the whole season, this step is not necessary.
- Reduce water pH to winter minimum
In case you have a polyester pool, pH should be 7.0 for concrete pools with tiles or mosaic, it should be 7.4.
- Use winter algaecide
If you are planning to change water in pool on spring, make sure to use some winter algaecide. This is a special type of algaecide which protects water from algae and prevents creation of scales on the edges. When the time comes to clean your pool, it will be much easier. Make sure to pour algaecide when there is no more chlorine in water.
In case of normal hardness of water, you will require 1 liter of winter algaecide for 20 to 25 cubical meters of water.
- Protecting your pool with cover and ice compensators
It is recommended to put special ice compensators in water which will accumulate ice pressure when surface of the water starts freezing. These items are necessary for concrete pools and we would recommend them for other types of pools as well given that protect from damage. These floaters are placed in order to form a chain which will be positioned along the edge of the pool. You should place at least two rows of them and for wider pools even more.
In case of the pools with skimmers that remain full, you will have to protect skimmer with a special flange adaptor which is meant solely for this purpose. If needed you can also use rubber corks to plug the pipes after they are drained.
Then, cover the pool with a winter cover that doesn’t allow light to penetrate. Best covers are those that do not have any openings on them so that the rain water cannot introduce filth into the pool. After rain, you can use a hose in order to remove all the water that has been accumulated on top of a cover. This way, you are making sure that your water is perfectly clean on spring.
With all these tips, you are set. Lastly, make sure to turn off all your electric devices and everything else that has been running during the summer.
What kind of issues have you encountered during the winter? Tell us in the comment section below!