Although it's a great event for everyone to get in the pool, it's also important to remember to close it as well. This is National Pool Closing Day.
Why You Should Close Your Pool
Not closing the pool during the off-season will cause it to get cluttered with debris and make it unusable once the season ends. This is also because it will take a lot of work to make it swimmable again once the season begins.
Having the proper measurements to properly close your pool can help avoid costly repairs later on. Having the proper measurements can also help avoid getting stuck with the pool that was left unrepaired.
How To Properly Close Your Pool (H3)
1. Clean up dirt and debris in your pool
Use a pool brush with a telescopic pole to thoroughly clean the pool's walls and floors.
Having a pool cleaner is a great way to remove algae, debris, and any other contaminants that might be around the water. It's also a great way to prevent the algae from growing.
2. Check your water’s chemistry, and add winterizing chemicals
You can also check the water chemistry of your pool by measuring the pH, Alkalinity, and Hardness levels. Balancing the chemicals in your pool before closing can protect it from scale building.
We also suggest adding algae remover to prevent the growth of algae in the water. This will kill any bacteria that remain.
It’s advised that you leave your pool alone for a full 24 hours after balancing the chemicals before you go to the next step.
BONUS TIP: Leslie's Pool Closing Kits are designed to give you the information you need to properly close and maintain your pool. They come with a variety of chemicals and equipment needed to keep your pool clean and safe.
3. Turn off equipment, and lower the pool water level
Before draining the pool, turn off the power to the pool equipment. Then, use a submersible pump to lower the water level in the pool. Having the pool's water level lowered when it's closed helps prevent freeze damage and overflow. It's also important to check the water level when it's raining.
4. Drain pool equipment, and winterize plumbing
It's important to drain and clean all of your equipment to prevent any damage from freezing. Also, make sure to remove anything that's built-in to prevent water damage. Drain plugs should be removed from equipment and placed in the pump basket. Winter storage is suggested.
When removing lines from your plumbing, use a blower to clear them, and plug the return with winter plugs. Then, add antifreeze to protect the lines from freezing.
5. Add a winter cover
Before you get started, remove all of the ladders, pipes, and anything else that's around the pool. Make sure that the cover fits properly and is not prone to damage. It's also important to secure it using a pool bag or a cable. It’s also suggested that you secure your pool winter cover using water bags or a cable or winch. If you have an above ground pool winter cover, make sure that its anchors and straps are in good repair.
Before National Pool Closing Day, make sure to stock up on all of the supplies you'll need to get done smoothly. These items include pool chemicals, water balancing equipment, and winter accessories.
If you're re-using last year's winter cover, make sure it's in good condition. If it's not, then make plans to get a new one.
This post was originally published on Leslie's Blog
If you have any other questions about pool and spa products please do let us know - we are here to help!