With the harsh weather upon us, it's time to consider whether or not to winterize the equipment in your pool. Winterizing your pool equipment can help prevent it from freezing and damaging.
Clean Your Pool Equipment
Make sure that your pool equipment has been thoroughly cleaned. This will help minimize the damage that can occur when it is not used during the winter.
Depending on the type of filter that you have, the cleaning process will vary. However, it generally involves removing dirt from the filter. The three common types of pool filters include:
- cartridge
- sand
- diatomaceous Earth
Aside from the filter, you also need to clean your skimmer. This step involves removing the lid and the basket to remove any debris. Then, rinse and remove any remaining dirt. Clean your pool pump by shutting off the pump and pulling any large debris out of the basket.
Turn Off Your Pool Equipment
Once your pool equipment is clean, you can then turn it off and begin the winterizing process. This step is important to prevent unnecessary wear and tear and help minimize energy bills.
Lower the Water Level
While draining your pool, remember to not completely drain it. Doing so could cause your pool shell to crack or the pool structure to get pushed out of the ground.
To get the most out of your pool, drain it so that the water level hits the bottom of the skimmer. This method works for most swimming pools.
Blow Water Out of the Pool Lines
Having the water from your pool lines removed will help protect the plumbing of your home from freezing. This is also an important step to prevent the pool from expanding. Fortunately, there are ways to get rid of the water quickly.
Using the air stream from the skimmer, remove the drain plug from the pool pump and connect it to the vac or air compressor. Once the bubbles have cleared, turn off the pump.
Plug Up Return Lines
These are openings in the pool that lead into the main drain or the skimmer line. They can be found in various locations on the floor or near the pool wall.
Add Antifreeze
You can also protect your pool from freezing pipes by adding antifreeze. This is because antifreeze is a safer alternative to traditional chemicals.
Remove Drain Plugs
Drain plugs are often located on the bottom of your pool’s pump or filter. They can be easily removed by removing these components by following the manufacturer’s instructions.
If My Pool is Already Frozen?
Since many pool owners fail to winterize their facilities, they can easily get affected by the freezing conditions. There are a few steps that can help minimize the damage caused by the cold weather.
You can then start using the blankets to cover up the pool equipment. Once the power is turned off, place the portable heater inside the tent. Once the equipment has thawed out, be sure to check for signs of damage, such as cracked pipes or busted connections.
This post was originally published on https://www.liquiduspools.com/
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