Is your pool ready for winter? 11 steps to protect your investment

Nov. 27, 2012 - PRLog -- Contact
Kristin Marks
(877) 479-7285
kristin@purepool.com

When the leaves begin to fall and the temperature cools, we know fall and winter are fast approaching.  

Patio furniture is safely stored.  Garden hoses are put away.  Now, tasks such as checking the furnace and cleaning the gutters become top priority on your winterizing your home to-do list.

Completing these steps to winterize your home can help avoid later repairs, offers Angie Hicks, cofounder of Angie’s List (http://www.angieslist.com/).  

The same rules apply to your pool.  Your pool is a large investment. It's recommended to winterize or partially winterize your pool to protect it during the winter months.

In preparation for winterizing your pool, you'll need to purchase a winter pool cover (http://www.purepool.com/pool/covers.html) (if needed for your winter weather) to prevent debris from collecting in your pool if you don’t already own one. Pool covers also protect against acidic rain that can stain your pool walls. Additionally, use a cover pump to pump water off of the cover to keep it from submerging into your pool.

Make sure to prepare your pool well before freezing temperatures occur to allow all of your equipment adequate time to fully drain/dry and prevent the chance of damage to hoses (http://www.purepool.com/pool-accessories/vacuums-hoses.html), fittings, and equipment.

Our company wants to help you secure your pool and protect your investment.  Here we provide 11 steps to winterize your pool.  

1. Lower the water level and add winter chemicals to kill any algae and avoid stains to your pool walls. Drain your pool water to 6” below lowest return/skimmer opening and remove hoses/fittings.

2. Clean and brush your pool. Bring your pool water to “shock” level and maintain that level for 24 hours with your pool pump (http://www.purepool.com/pool-equipment/pumps.html) running to make sure there are no remaining algae blooms. A polyquat algaecide may be administered per dosing instructions on the product.

3. Remove your steps, ladders, and mats from your pool. Clean and store for the winter months.

4. Installing skimmer/return plugs or “gizmos” may be installed or left open. This is a personal choice of the pool owner.

5. Remove and drain any solar panels. Clean before storing for the winter months.

6. Drain the filters/pump well and then remove the pump, hoses, and fittings. Inspect these items for any sign of damage or excessive wear. If necessary, order replacements before spring.

7. Remove the multi-port/spider gasket. Smaller fittings, hardware, and filter drain plugs can be stored inside of the pump pot basket. Then lube the pump pot basket with silicone lube. The remaining pump hardware can be placed inside of a gallon zip-lock bag and taped to the side of the pump. Store the pump, smaller fitting systems, and multi-port/spider gaskets inside for the winter months.

8. If your hoses/fittings and not already marked for proper use, do so before storing.

9. Secure a large black plastic garbage bag or tarp over larger/sand filters to prevent debris, snow, ice, and water damage.

10. If using a winter cover, install it per the manufacturer instructions (i.e. pillows (http://www.purepool.com/midwest-canvas-4-x4-air-pillow-fo...) and anchoring).

11. A leaf net may be used over the winter cover until the majority of leaves and autumn debris are done dropping. This will help avoid a rotting leaf swamp in the spring. Be sure to remove the leaf net and any accumulated debris prior to hard freeze. Store away until spring when it can be used just prior to start up for early leaf/tree pollen drop.

         ###

PurePool.com was founded with the sole intention of providing pool and spa owners the highest quality supplies at the most competitive prices online. PurePool has been building relationships with the most well known and respected pool product manufactures for over 25 years.