Closing a pool will be the identical as month-to-month upkeep however with extra depth and some further steps. Don’t be afraid to do it your self, right here we’ll let you know easy methods to shut a swimming pool.
How a lot does it price to shut a swimming pool?
The typical value, excluding the pool closing package and labor, is about $250, on the cheap aspect it may be round $150, and so far as $400.
Closing a swimming pool is just not as troublesome because it appears, it’s simply to extend the degrees of cleansing and disinfection in order that algae doesn’t reproduce or generate incrustations within the pool. You may rent pool upkeep consultants however it’s upkeep that may simply be completed by you.
How do you shut a pool for winter?
Clear the pool of leaves and particles
A great cleansing earlier than beginning to shut the pool is vital as a result of it avoids the proliferation of micro organism or microorganisms that may be dangerous to your well being. Even a clear pool prevents clogging of the filtration system. You simply have to do a traditional cleansing of your pool, including slightly diligence in eradicating dust and particles.
Brush the pool fastidiously to take away dust on the perimeters and backside. Scrub vigorously if it has collected. Clear the skimmer ridge.
Take a look at and stability the pool water
You do that routinely when your pool is due for upkeep. Be certain the water is properly balanced, verify the pH between 7.2 and seven.6 and the alkalinity of the water between 80 and 120 ppm (components per million), and the calcium hardness between 180 and 200 ppm earlier than closing the pool for the season.
Add components and chemical compounds to winterize the pool
This step will be completed for each summer time and winter. It’s to stability the water ranges and add the suitable chemical compounds to maintain the pool water clear and crystal clear throughout your entire day out of service. This ensures that there isn’t a micro organism or scale growth whereas the pool is closed.
This begins per week earlier than you will cease utilizing it, add a phosphate remover (if in case you have a pool, you already know that phosphates promote algae development). Anti-stain and anti-limescale chemical compounds forestall metallic and mineral buildup within the water.
Shock and chlorinate the pool
Even in case you see the pool water clear and clear, add a brilliant chlorinator, which is often known as pool shock. It should comprise a minimum of 65% sodium hypochlorite to make use of. Normally, a pound bag is sufficient for 10000 gallons of water, dissolve the contents with some water from the identical pool and as soon as dissolved, pour the combination into the pool.
Wait till the overall chlorine degree returns to between 1 and three ppm. It will take a couple of days after which add an algaecide as an extra measure to maintain these tiny inexperienced pool worms at bay through the chilly months and in the summertime as properly. Once more, select a product designed for enclosed swimming pools. The quantity to make use of varies with the quantity of the pool; comply with the algaecide producer’s directions.
Pool closure kits are actually out there that embrace all of those chemical compounds to stabilize pool water chemistry.
Decrease the pool water degree
In case your pool water is at risk of freezing, relying in your location, it’s necessary to decrease the water degree earlier than closing the pool for the season. In heat climates this doesn’t occur, so that you do not need to fret about this.
The precise water degree is dependent upon the pool cowl. These with mesh covers ought to ensure the water degree is between 12 and 18 inches beneath the skimmer, whereas these with stable covers ought to intention for the water degree to be between 3 and 6 inches beneath the tile.Â
For an in-ground pool, run the filter or use a siphon pump to decrease the water degree. For an above-ground pool, it isn’t essential to decrease the water degree. Merely take away the outlet hose from the skimmer basket.
In the course of the winter, after draining the water to the recommended ranges, put antifreeze within the skimmer opening to forestall water from freezing within the pool plumbing. Most swimming pools require roughly 1 gallon of antifreeze to make sure the pipes are protected.
Clear and backwash the pool filter and pump
You probably have a sand filter, it needs to be backwashed, flip off the pool heater first. Flip off the filter, then select the multi-port filter valve setting that’s labeled “backwash” or “drain to waste”. Some filtration methods are already related to a waste assortment receptacle, whereas others require you to attach a backwash hose resulting in a waste disposal location. Flip the filter on and let it run for 3 to five minutes till the water comes out clear. Flip the multiport filter valve to the rinse place and let it run for 30 seconds earlier than turning the filtration system off.
You probably have a detachable filter as an alternative, take away it and clear it completely.
Clear the pool pump strains
In winter, residual water can freeze contained in the pool tools and within the water strains inflicting them to increase and crack. It needs to be as dry as doable to keep away from damaging the air compressor. Whether it is unattainable (or very uncomfortable), you’ll be able to keep away from ice-related issues with pool antifreeze.
The draining course of is easier for aboveground swimming pools: Take away all hoses and take away the plug from the underside of the filter. Aboveground pool homeowners are inspired to make use of a pool pillow. Positioned within the middle of the pool and tied to its sides, these air-filled rings assist hold the water within the pool from freezing.
Take away all pool equipment
Take away all pool equipment, comparable to ladders and diving boards. That is simply to make sure that the duvet is securely in place. It’s time to take away the skimmer baskets and different pool wall equipment.
Earlier than placing them away, clear all of the equipment completely and allow them to dry on a clear floor. Retailer ladders, diving boards, and different peripherals in a clear, dry place through the low season.
Set up a winter cowl
This step is crucial to maintain a pool clear and clear whereas not in use. Two sorts of mesh covers are extra reasonably priced and require no upkeep however enable particles to enter the pool water.
Stable covers want a pump to take away rainwater and melted snow from the highest. A stable cowl that stays in place ought to hold the pool water clear beneath. Take precautions comparable to locking pool fence gates to forestall youngsters from drowning as a consequence of water pooling on the draining cowl.
Examine the chemical composition of your pool month-to-month
In the course of the winter, it’s nonetheless vital to consistently regulate and monitor the chemical stability of your pool. This is similar as what you do through the low season, including the mandatory chemical compounds.
This similar process applies to easy methods to shut a swimming pool in different seasons comparable to summer time.
Can I simply shock my pool to shut it?
Sure, it’s doable to over shock a pool. “Shock” is only a concentrated model of chlorine, and if utilized in extra it may cloud the pool water. Should you use an excessive amount of chlorine, keep away from swimming within the pool till the water clears. Take away the duvet, if in case you have one, to hurry up the method.
Closing a pool is just not as troublesome because it appears, it’s simply to extend the degrees of cleansing and disinfection in order that algae doesn’t reproduce or generate incrustations within the pool. You may rent consultants in pool upkeep however it’s simpler and proudly easy methods to shut a swimming pool completed by you.
Written by Vanessa Gallanti. October 23, 2023
Fanatic about planning, mission administration, building supplies and know-how, and building. A civil engineer from Los Andes College and a content material author for Kukun.