Winterizing a Swimming Pool

Winterizing a swimming pool for its shut down is a very important job and must be done with care. Allow yourself plenty of time to carry out each job and don't rush. If not done correctly its not going to be a happy event come the spring pool breakout.

The first thing you will have to do is take care of the water. Start off by checking the waters pH level. It should be between 7.1 and 7.6. If it isn't then simply add some dry acid or soda ash, whichever is your proffered choice.

Next on your list of to do's for winterizing a swimming pool is to take care of the chlorine. You will giving your pool a shock dose by raising the level of chlorine to somewhere around 6 to 10 ppm.

Now add a special winterizing product that will ensure your swimming pool is will protected from algae during the coming winter months. You will find a variety of these winterizing products at your pool supplies store.

Once you have added the chemicals required you will need to leave your pump running for a good 8 to 12 hours. This will make sure the chlorine and winterizing products are completely distributed throughout the water.

When winterizing a swimming pool it is important to get the water to the correct depth level. Switch off your skimmer valve and let the water drain until it is about 6" below the skimmer's bottom. This should prevent any flooding due to any heavy downpours of rain.

Prepare your summer cover for storage by giving it a good clean with either a pressure washer or some fresh clean water. Once it is thoroughly cleaned it can be put away and your winter cover taken out of its storage ready for use.

Before fitting the winter cover, place something in the pool to prevent damage to your pool walls if the water in your swimming pool freezes. Anything that will absorb the expansion will do, if you have some empty chemical containers just half filled with water and put them in your pool. When you fit the winter cover, make sure it is as tight as possible to prevent anything from managing to get underneath.

When winterizing a swimming pool make sure children know the pool is now closed and off limits to visitors until spring. A pool cover is designed to keep dirt, leaves and other debris out of the water. It is in no way designed to take the weight of a person, child or even the family pet. If you do have small children, there are now products available that act as both winter and safety covers and you should consider one for extra peace of mind.

After a few days you will probably have to tighten the cover again because of stretching so keep an eye on it for a few days. You should then check your cover a couple of times a week throughout the winter to be sure it is still secure and tight and not sagging into the pools water.

With the cover securely in place you should now drain the water from your pools equipment, the filter, pump and heater. You will find a drain plug at the bottom of all of these items. If you don't do this important task when winterizing a swimming pool, when the water freezes inside the equipment it will most likely damage them beyond repair.

Once the early spring arrives and the worst of the weather is finally over, you should run the pump for a good 6 to 10 hours to circulate the long life algicide and chloride chemicals throughout the entire pools water.