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How do I winterize my above ground pool?
1. CHECK FOR LEAKS—Make sure there are no leaks in the pool by checking water level for at least a week. Failure to detect leaks may cause ice movement and possible liner damage.
2. GET YOUR WATER BALANCED—Bring us a water test around a week prior to closing for a personalized water analysis. Take care of any existing problems such as visible algae or cloudy water before closing as these problems are likely to worsen by the time the pool is. If you applied Optimizer this year, be sure to have the level tested because this product is as beneficial to you during the winter as it is for the summer.
3. DO ALL HOUSEKEEPING CHORES—Brush pool surface vigorously, and then vacuum the pool to remove all visible debris. Clean the water line with BioGuard Off The Wall. Clean your solar blanket with BioGuard Stow Away to remove accumulated body oils, lotions, and other deposits that will be more difficult to remove in the spring.
4. ADD BIOGUARD WINTER PRODUCTS—Shake Pool Closing Complete well before adding to pool at a rate of 1 bottle per 25,000 gallons. Circulate for at least one hour. Apply Winter Shock and allow the pool to circulate for one hour. Add the Arctic Blue Algaecide and let the pool circulate for no more than 15 to 30 minutes.
5. LOWER WATER LEVEL—For Hayward Perflex filters, first remove DE from filter, as you would do when changing DE. Then pump water through drain valve of filter to desired level. For grid DE filters and sand filters, backwash the filter then put your multiport valve on waste to lower the water level. If you have a cartridge filter, remove drain plug from filter and then pump water through. If you will be leaving the filter outside with the cartridges in it over the winter, leave the drain plug out of the tank. Bring the water level to just below the skimmer faceplate.
6. SKIMMER PROTECTION—You can choose plug your return port & leave your skimmer open all winter. Or you can choose from several different options to close off the skimmer. These are designed to significantly reduce winter water loss. Also, be sure to periodically check the skimmer housing to make sure no ice or snow buildup is blocking the bottom opening which will result in a freeze crack developing in the skimmer.
7. CLEAN THE FILTER THOROUGHLY—The filter should be taken apart, inspected and cleaned. All DE and cartridge filters should be chemically cleaned every winter. We recommend using BioGuard's Strip-Kwik to chemically clean your filter followed by Kleen It. Never soak your filter elements in the filter tank; always use a separate container. Don’t store a dirty filter, since deposits and scale may harden and cake over winter, leaving you a tough repair or clean up job in the spring.
8. PREPARE EQUIPMENT FOR WINTER— Disconnect the suction and discharge hoses from the filter. Remove drain plugs from pump (if there are any) and drain pump as well. Pump and filter should be stored in a warm, dry place. Heater should be drained according to heater manufacturers specifications and covered with special heater cover.
9. AIR PILLOW—Inflate Winter Air Pillow and secure it in the middle of the pool. Only fill 2/3 of the way with air. When it is compressed by the ice over the winter, it can pop if it is too full.
10. COVER THE POOL— A well-designed solid cover will keep your pool relatively free of leaves, debris, and dirt. If you use a mesh or Loop Loc cover on your pool, you'll need to add a second treatment of Arctic Blue Algaecide just before the water freezes (usually in November) and after it thaws (usually in March). If the pool has a partial deck, fit the cover between the deck and the pool and fasten securely. If the pool is completely surrounded by a deck, then water bags should be used to fasten the cover down. If you are having trouble securing your winter cover to the pool or live in a windy area, try using Quick Clips. These clips work great to hold the cover tight to the pool and not allow any wind to loosen it. Quick Clips will not work on Doughboy Impressions Pools.
11. SIPHON OR PUMP WATER ON COVER— s water accumulates on top of the pool cover, drain off by siphoning or by using a submersible cover pump. Once ice forms in the pool; do not attempt to drain cover until ice is completely thawed. Never adjust cover or anything else in the pool when ice has formed. It can be extremely sharp and if disturbed can cut through your liner.
In the spring, be sure to add water to the pool with a garden hose as you are removing the water from the top of the cover. Before you attempt to remove the cover in the spring, make sure all the leaves and water accumulation is removed.
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