If proper care is not given to winterising your pool correctly, money will be wasted, repair & maintenance will increase and you could end up with a damaged, dirty pool. Here are a few ideas that you can carry out to winterise your swimming pool:
Keep it clean
Debris left unattended in your pool is a problem waiting to happen. It is important to give your pool a thorough clean before it is shut down for the winter. If you ensure no debris can enter the pool, you will prevent problems, if not a periodic clean is advisable. Norsup Cyclone robot cleaners are perfect for this! If debris is left unattended, such as falling leaves, there is a high risk of your pool liner or shell being stained by the degrading debris. Cleaning these stains can be a Herculean task so be warned.
Monitor your equipment
The continued circulation of water for open top pools is vital, especially during winter. Freezing equipment & pipework can be prone to cracking so water flow is important to prevent ice build-up. We recommend allowing your pool pump to circulate 4 hours per day, intermittently if possible. This should keep your pump, filter & chlorination operational. Make sure there is no calcium build up on your salt cell if you have one. You can wash the cell using cell cleaner salt if required. Do not forget to backwash your filter & clean out the pump & skimmer baskets. Remember to keep your pool equipment in good order throughout the winter.
Water quality matters
Water quality is vital to keeping your pool in pristine condition. For a crystal clear pool, you must ensure your water chemistry is balanced. Test your pool water at regular intervals and ensure your chemicals are topped up.
You must ensure your pH levels in the pool water are maintained. The ideal pH for a winterized pool is between 7.4 & 7.6, so continue to test and treat your pH to keep these levels. The ideal winterized level of calcium is 175 to 225 ppm which can also be maintained by the usage of chemicals.
Another concern regarding your pool is the build-up of Algae. Over the winter, your pool may be prone to algae attack and needs to be kept in check. The ideal way to minimize or remove the build-up of algae is the use of an anti-UV winter cover. Opaque covers prevent the UV rays entering the pool and creating algae. Failing that it is advised to treat your pool occasionally with Chlorine. Additionally, you can use phosphate removers which starve the algae of food and prevent build up.
Do not allow freezing
During the winter, the temperature may reach freezing point. A frozen pool can cause damage to the pool walls, pipes and plant room equipment. The pool water should be prevented from freezing wherever possible.
When air temperatures drop down to freezing point, your pool equipment is also at risk, so it is advisable to allow your pool pump to operate. It is also advisable to install an automatic frost protection system as this will switch on your filtration when it becomes necessary. You can also receive email alerts advising of the need to run your pool pump. There are also anti-freeze chemicals now available to further prevent ice build-up.
Cover it up
It is best to leave the pool covered when not in use. The cover not only protects the pool from debris, but also helps to reduce evaporation. The pool cover combats the algae growth as it prevents sunlight entering the pool. Pool covers also help in cutting down the use of chemicals and they play an important role in keeping the pool clean and safe during the winter.
We hope you can see the importance of maintaining your pool during the winter months. Failure to do this ongoing maintenance results in greater costs & time to re-open your pool the following year. Would it not be great to be back up and running quickly when the moods takes you to dive back in!
Want to know more about the winterisation of your pool? Talk to your Norsup dealer or visit the dealer locator to find your nearest dealer.