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Closing your Pool 2009
Its that time of year again! Close your pool right to make sure your ready for next year.
REMOVE ALL DEBRIS
Even a little bit can cause your pool to turn green.
Balance
Balance your pool, this is important, make sure the pool has the right balance right before you close it.
Winterizer kit?
Many Pool stores will sell you a "winterizing kit" basically they are a combination of algicide and slow release chlorine. You can make your own easily by adding a few gallons of Algicide, this will last until the pool freezes. You can also purchase a can of chlorine tablets that you can put across the pool so that it just sits in the middle of the pool letting chlorine out while the pool is not frozen.
Disassemble the Filter.
If you have an in-ground pool this is not so important but an above grown pool needs to have its filter disassembles and all water removed. Any excess water can expand and damage it.
Underground pipes?
Add RV antifreeze to your center drain pipe and any pipes that go underground. you don't want THAT mess. Many people suggest using a shop vac to clear lines if that is not possible, this is the next best option.
Drain and cover.
Lastly once the pool is balanced and the filter is taken care of , cover the pool, use a float in the middle to help with expanding ice and to limit the amount of water on the cover.
First make sure the water line is BELOW the skimmer. this will keep ice from expanding and possibly damaging this sensitive area.
Followup
Many people make the mistake of covering the pool and not checking in on it. You should periodically siphon off excess water from the cover while its not frozen. This will add years to your pool and keep the stress and weight off the seams.
REMOVE ALL DEBRIS
Even a little bit can cause your pool to turn green.
Balance
Balance your pool, this is important, make sure the pool has the right balance right before you close it.
Winterizer kit?
Many Pool stores will sell you a "winterizing kit" basically they are a combination of algicide and slow release chlorine. You can make your own easily by adding a few gallons of Algicide, this will last until the pool freezes. You can also purchase a can of chlorine tablets that you can put across the pool so that it just sits in the middle of the pool letting chlorine out while the pool is not frozen.
Disassemble the Filter.
If you have an in-ground pool this is not so important but an above grown pool needs to have its filter disassembles and all water removed. Any excess water can expand and damage it.
Underground pipes?
Add RV antifreeze to your center drain pipe and any pipes that go underground. you don't want THAT mess. Many people suggest using a shop vac to clear lines if that is not possible, this is the next best option.
Drain and cover.
Lastly once the pool is balanced and the filter is taken care of , cover the pool, use a float in the middle to help with expanding ice and to limit the amount of water on the cover.
First make sure the water line is BELOW the skimmer. this will keep ice from expanding and possibly damaging this sensitive area.Followup
Many people make the mistake of covering the pool and not checking in on it. You should periodically siphon off excess water from the cover while its not frozen. This will add years to your pool and keep the stress and weight off the seams.
Balance your Pool, the formula.
#1: FCI - Free Chlorine (bromine)
You must maintain free chlorine at a sufficient level to disinfect potential contaminants on contact. The more chlorine in the water, the more it can sanitize and oxidize the water. (Remember that sanitizing and oxidizing are the processes that chlorine uses to keep the water clear and clean.) However, if the free chlorine level gets too high, it can make the water uncomfortable for swimmers. The trick is to keep the free chlorine level in the ideal range. In a swimming pool, keep free chlorine at a minimum of 1 ppm (parts per million) and a maximum of 10 ppm, with an ideal concentration of 1 to 3 ppm.
#2: Alk - Alkalinity
ALKALINITY: The ability of the pool water to resist changes in pH. The "buffering" capacity of the water. Additions of Sodium Bicarbonate will increase the levels, expressed in ppm. Many pool stores sell this as PH plus this is the same stuff as baking soda, which you can buy cheaper at your local grocery store.
#3: pH
Neutral has a PH of 7. If your PH is below 7, your water is acidic, above 7 the water is basic, or alkaline. Proper PH range or balance for you swimming pool is 7.4. The further away from this number your water is, it will cause eye irritation, scaling, pitting of the interior finish, staining, cloudy water and chlorine inefficiency, just to name a few.
#4: TH - Total Hardness
Calcium is a naturally occurring mineral that is frequently found in high concentrations: such water is called "hard" water. Calcium hardness is one of the important pool water chemistry parameters and its control is important to help assure proper water quality and help avoid certain pool water problems. The preferred ranges in swimming pools are 80-150 PPM in a vinyl pool and 150-200 PPM in a masonry finish pool. Low levels of pool water calcium hardness (soft water) can lead to the problems of corrosive water conditions.
Tip 1- Get the junk out
Before you even begin to maintain your pool you must make it clear of all large debris. Leaves, sticks and the like will rot in your pool creating cleaning nightmares. First and formost if your starting to open your pool or simply trying to keep the one you have open, keep it clear of debris.
Tip 2 - Chlorinate
Forget what every website and pool place tells you. Chlorine is king in these parts. Your pool getting cloudy, turning green, chlorinate. Are you having to run your filter for 5 hours a day, chlorinate. Don't kid yourself, the pool guys want to sell you all kinds of goodies that simply do not work when the chips are down. When it gets ugly, pour in the chlorine, don't get all scientific more is better.
Tip 3 - Stablize
If you got your pool to the point of being clear, or even close to being clear, this is the time to use all those chemicals from the pool guy. First thing to deal with after the chlorine level. If you do not have a pool chemistry checker, get one now. This will tell you the baisics of the pools status. Most will tell you the Ph of the pool, this is infact, important. You want to be between 7.2 and 7.8 Ph 7.4 is perfect. Before you get too crazy remember that EVERYTHING effects Ph, such a rain, suntan lotion and even sweat!
Tip 4- Finding Balance
Test your pool regulary, its easy to swim in a clear or clearish pool day after day and then one day it turns green or cloudy. Testing your pool is easy many types out there, most are pretty inexpensive.
Opening your pool
• If you have a solid cover, you will probably have to start by pumping or draining the water off. During this process, you will probably have to simultaneously skimmer off some of the leaves and debris.
• Ensure the winter cover is cleaned and folded properly for summer storage.
• Ensure your leaf basket, drain and filter and pump are clean and functioning properly.
• Remove excess debris and leaves that are floating on the top of you pool by using a skimmer.
• Top up the pool with water.
• Start the pool's pump and filtration system.
• Use a cleaner or vacuum to assist with cleaning the water.
• Many believe that shocking the pool is a good idea using products specially designed for this.
• After a given time, algaecide may be needed depending on the content’s in the pools water. (although the shock treatment should have rectified any algae)
• After more time (see manufacturers’ directions to ensure you have waited the appropriate time) check the pool levels including Ph, alkalinity and chlorine (or other sanitizer) levels and add to if necessary.
• Only swim in the pool once the pool is clean and the chemical and other levels are appropriate.
• Start regular maintenance below.
• Ensure the winter cover is cleaned and folded properly for summer storage.
• Ensure your leaf basket, drain and filter and pump are clean and functioning properly.
• Remove excess debris and leaves that are floating on the top of you pool by using a skimmer.
• Top up the pool with water.
• Start the pool's pump and filtration system.
• Use a cleaner or vacuum to assist with cleaning the water.
• Many believe that shocking the pool is a good idea using products specially designed for this.
• After a given time, algaecide may be needed depending on the content’s in the pools water. (although the shock treatment should have rectified any algae)
• After more time (see manufacturers’ directions to ensure you have waited the appropriate time) check the pool levels including Ph, alkalinity and chlorine (or other sanitizer) levels and add to if necessary.
• Only swim in the pool once the pool is clean and the chemical and other levels are appropriate.
• Start regular maintenance below.