Fall is in full swing and now is the perfect time to get your above ground pool ready for cold weather. Discount Pools Direct is here to provide our customers with the tools and knowledge to keep your above ground pool in great condition all year long. Properly closing your pool for the season is key to keeping it in great shape during the coldest months of the year. Closing your pool also plays an important role in simplifying the opening process the following summer. From preventing debris from piling up in your pool over the fall and winter months to helping keep the water free of algae while the pool is not in use, properly winterizing your pool is key. Discount Pools Direct has a few simple steps to close your pool this fall.
The first step to getting your pool ready for winter is checking the alkalinity, pH levels, and total hardness of your pool water. If any of these levels are out of balance, you’ll want to adjust your chemicals to ensure the water is properly balanced before proceeding to the next step.
Using a net, remove any leaves, bugs, or floating debris from your pool. You will also want to brush down the sides of your pool before vacuuming thoroughly. Once this is done, it’s time to clear any skimmer baskets before backwashing and chemically cleaning your pool filter. Reducing dirt prior to closing the pool is key in preventing the growth of algae or becoming unbalanced due to rotting debris while covered for the winter.
Part of making sure your pool is in great condition come springtime is ensuring your pool chemicals are properly balanced to prevent the growth of bacteria and algae over the winter months. Pool shock introduces a high concentration of chlorine which must circulate through your pool for a minimum of four hours to allow for proper dispersal. Once the shock has been given time to circulate appropriately, it’s time to introduce an algaecide agent. This will also need to circulate in your pool for around 24 hours to be fully effective.
While above ground pools do not require owners to lower the water level of your pool, you will need to remove your outlet hose from the pool’s skimmer basket. For pools with a sand filter, you will want to protect your filter element by backwashing your above ground pool’s filter and pump.
To prevent remaining water from freezing in your pool’s water lines and equipment, draining your pool pump lines is a vital step of closing your pool. For above ground pools, disconnect all hoses and remove the plug from the base of your pool filter. In areas prone to sub-freezing conditions, it’s recommended to place a series of air-filled rings in the center of your above ground pool. The goal of these rings is to prevent your pool water from freezing.
Once you have finished cleaning your pool and balancing the chemicals, the final step should be to apply a winter pool cover. Ensuring the pool cover is the correct size to fit your pool is key to keeping your water free of trash and debris over the winter months.
Once your pool has been properly closed for the season, you will want to check your water’s chemical balance once per month and add any chemicals as needed to prevent severely imbalanced water when you’re ready to reopen your pool in the spring.
Ready to get your pool ready to weather the winter months? Discount Pools Direct is here for you. Start shopping for the pool chemicals, pool covers, and other pool accessories you may need to close your above ground pool for the season. If you have any questions about our products, don’t hesitate to contact us for more information. You can call Discount Pools Direct at 1-877-731-1884 or email us at info@discountpoolsdirect.com.
Resources:
https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-close-a-pool/
https://www.lowes.com/n/how-to/close-your-pool-for-winter
https://www.homedepot.com/c/ah/how-to-winterize-a-pool/9ba683603be9fa5395fab90ef8aad61
