The steps you take to winterize your pool correctly will prove vital to keeping everything in good working order and protected from the elements. Preparing your inground pool for harsher weather conditions could save you a lot of money by helping avoid expensive repair bills.
If you search winterize pool, you can get some useful pointers on what action to take to keep your pool protected. Meanwhile, here is a handy checklist of what you need to do to winterize your pool.
Give Your Pool a Deep Clean
It is important to take the time to give your pool a thorough clean before the winter weather sets in. As well as removing any silt, leaves, and other debris, deep cleaning will also make it easier to limit mold or algae growth.
A deep clean will make the task of balancing your pool’s chemistry a lot more straightforward.
Store Away All Pool Accessories
One of the first steps to take in winterizing your pool is to remove every accessory.
Any items such as ladders, cleaners, and solar blankets should be stored separately for your pool’s winterizing preparation.
Bring Down the Water Level of Your Pool
Another crucial action on your checklist is to lower the water level of the pool so that it is at least a foot below the skimmer if you are using a mesh cover. If you have a solid cover the water level should be about half a foot below the skimmer.
Check which method you should be using for lowering the water based on the type of pool you have.
Work on Modifying the Water Chemistry
Making adjustments to the water chemistry is often critical to the health of the pool during the winter months.
As a guide, alkaline levels should be somewhere between 80 and 150 ppm. Calcium levels need to be in the range of between 175 and 225 ppm. Chlorine should be between 1 and 3 ppm. Finally, aim to get pH levels to read somewhere between 7.2 and 7.6.
Getting the water chemistry correct is a key step in successfully winterizing your pool.
Eliminate Bacteria
It often makes sense to shock your pool when winterizing. This will be necessary to successfully remove any bacteria present in the water.
Make sure you follow the instructions on your packet to help ensure the shock treatment works and prepares your pool properly for the winter months ahead.
Drain Filters and Pumps
Start by removing and cleaning your filters. Draining all of the relevant pool equipment will help you avoid the prospect of damage occurring as a result of winter conditions.
Get the Safety Covers On
Last but not least, you will need to get your pool covered in preparation for a change in seasons.
Putting the cover on properly helps minimize debris entering the pool. It is also a good step in discouraging wildlife from going anywhere near your pool.
Winterizing your inground pool is a crucial step in helping to ensure that when the covers come off again around springtime your pool will be easier to set up and maintain.
Is your pool ready for winter?
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