Most people won't attempt closing an inground swimming pool for fear that they might do something wrong. Important: Don't acid wash a D.E. Please try another location. You need to clean your pool before adding winterizing chemicals. Place your foot on the spring and push down. If you have an in-ground pool, you should blow out the lines from the skimmer, through the equipment and back to the pool, then plug the lines at the pool using expansion plugs. Be sure to open the air relief valve on top if you have one. Set the diverter handle to filter and add compressed air to the filter at the air line fitting. Do you turn the pump on for a couple seconds to move the anti-freeze into the return pipes? DO NOT acid wash a D.E. Watch the water drain from the return lines, when the water stops coming out of the return lines shut off the compressed air and cap the lines with special caps designed to keep water out during the off season. Make sure all water is completely drained from the pump. Next, install the skimmer cover on the skimmer (See pictures) this plastic bag will help keep out rainwater during the off season. You need to add the PhosFree to your pool water first to remove any Phosphates in the water, by removing the Phosphates in your pool water, you will stop the growth of algae throughout the winter. Add pool antifreeze to the self chlorinator, about 1 half gallon, then reinstall the cover. The first step in closing your pool for the winter is to give it a thorough cleaning. Once you close a pool once, it will become easier each year and it will save you around $200- $300. filter at pool closing time; wait until spring. The second last step in order to winterize your inground pool, involves blowing out the lines for the pool equipment. Learning how to close a pool is much easier than most people might think. Hi! If you want to add a winterization chemical kit, do it now. Start by attaching the two springs on each end in the center of the cover, the long way. (because it's my stuff, lol) There a very few jobs I will hire someone to do for me, and if I do hire someone, I watch every detail so I can do it myself the next time :) Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate it very much. I will go through what all the pool filter valve positions mean in turn and explain what each does. filters, drain the filter tanks and leave the backwash valve open. Eddie Carrara (author) from New Hampshire on July 21, 2019: I hear the same thing, "it's a lot of work and the cost is too high". Place the handle of the diverter valve in a neutral position between filter and waste, or something like that, just don't leave the lever in one of the designated positions because there is still water in the diverter, when you put the handle in a neutral position it will allow the water to freeze and expand without cracking something internally on the diverter valve (See … Thank you so much for this detailed article. In the case of larger pools, you may be directed to supplement the kit with additional quantities of some chemicals, too. Step 2. I recommend starting the process one weekend before closing your pool. We're not on city sewer, but on a septic tank system! I had to buy 2 kits this year because the company I buy my winterizing kits from stopped selling the large kits for 25,000 gal pools. After the ice and snow melt in the spring, it will spring back up and the debris will dry and blow off. If you think I may have left out a step or you have a question, just ask and I will get back to you asap. You said to fill the filter basket and bromatator, in my case, with anil-freeze, you didn’t explain how you get the anti-freeze down and into the return pipes? After draining your pool for the winter: Add 1 half gallon of pool antifreeze to your pool pump basket. filters, drain the filter tanks and leave the backwash valve open. Be sure to add biodegradable antifreeze to all the lines and skimmer. When you purchase a winterizing kit, buy one that will winterize the amount of water you have in your pool, if you buy a kit that is to small it, will be wasted money, so know your pools water capacity and buy the right kit. Pool filter valve positions. You’ll probably need a helping hand in this step and it is advised for you to hire a professional worker for this specific task as it may be needed. It's nice to have two people when installing the cover, but not necessary. Use the pool pump to lower the water level, turn the diverter handle to backwash, then turn the inlet lever to draw water from the bottom drain of the pool and not the skimmer. Step 1. Pour 1 gallon of pool antifreeze into skimmer line; Put teflon tape on threads of a gizzmo and screw it into skimmer. In order for your sand filter to run properly, it must be regularly cleaned and maintained. Once you blow out the skimmer line there will still be some water in the line but it will be down about 5-6 feet and you probably won't be able to see it, I add about a half gallon down that skimmer line, install the gizzmo, then add the rest of the antifreeze to the skimmer basket. Pool winterization. The filter is saturated with water and I like to let it drain thoroughly so I will leave the drain cap off for 24 hours. 10. Here is how to winterize your in-ground concrete pool in six easy steps. If you have an inground swimming pool, it’s time to winterize your pool. The best way to protect your pool during the winter is to winterize it. Remove all return jet fittings, yes, the entire fitting. From residential and business solutions that help people move, improve and enjoy their water, to our sustainable industrial applications, Pentair makes the most of life's essential resources. The cost of changing the sand will vary based on how much sand is needed for your pool filter, and the price of sand in your area. Eddie Carrara (author) from New Hampshire on October 11, 2018: I alway use the "In The Swim Kit" I have a 22k gallon pool and usually have to buy 2 kits. Before going into the actual steps, it’s important that you adjust the pH level of your pool’s water along with calcium hardness and alkalinity. This device needn't be anything fancy—it can be a "pillow" sold at your local pool retailer or a truck innertube. It is best to store all pool filter components in a dry place for the winter if possible. Add antifreeze to the skimmer lines and install gizmo, about 1 half gallon. Add more antifreeze after gizmo is installed, about 1 half gallon. Do you still recommend using winterizing chemicals? Pop up your anchors. Above ground and inground pool winterizing using non toxic antifreeze and pool winterizing chemicals. These kits put high levels of chlorine and algaecide in the water to prepare it for the long winter months ahead. This is the most important step, because if you close a dirty pool, it will only get worst throughout the winter. Make sure you do, especially if you have a vinyl liner pool—you don't want stains on your liner from un-dissolved granules or damage to your equipment from concentrations of chemicals in the water. When I finally managed to move to my current location, there was ample space for a pool, (property is just under 3/4 of an acre), but my husband, who'd had pools before, said "they're a lot of work plus add about $200 a month to your utility bill!" Thanks, Mike. At this point your pool water should be clean, free of metals and free of phosphates, the chlorine level should be almost perfect and your PH, Alkalinity, and Hardness levels should be at the ideal levels. While backwashing, be careful not to let the water level drop too much. Blow it out with a compressor or shop vac if necessary. Eddie Carrara (author) from New Hampshire on January 16, 2013: When you work in the automotive field, you learn to do everything yourself, and usually just as good, if not better than the professionals. I don't have the income to qualify for such a loan, and besides, I'm preparing to sell the house and hit the road as a full-time nomad. Proper winterization is the key to protecting your pool through the winter. On sand filters, unplug the filter drain plug and leave off. Lower the water level in your pool according to the guidelines below. This allows you to blow out your pool plumbing, pool pump, and pool filter. To winterize your sand filter, remove the drain cap at the bottom of the filter tank to let the entire filter drain and leave the drain cap off until Spring. Add the PhosFree a week before closing your pool, just poor it into the filter and let it do its thing. The pool pump is the only component that MUST be kept in a dry, mild temperature area. That is me unrolling the pool cover, see, I really do what I say I do :). Some of the products needed are a non-toxic pool anti-freeze, Di-Chlor shock, granular winterizing (algaecide), and sequestering agent to prevent possible staining. Step 1 – Balance the Water Chemistry. Step 1. Straighten the tool on top of the anchor. Hi. Let me know if you have more questions. 2. Liz Elias from Oakley, CA on July 21, 2019: Alas, but the window for having a pool is closed. Eddie Carrara (author) from New Hampshire on September 30, 2019: Yes, you will need to drain it completely and turn off the gas if you live in an area that freezes. These caps have rubber o-rings but I like to use Teflon tap on the threads for added protection, I also add Teflon tape to the threads of the gizmo for added protection. I wish you could have enjoyed something you wanted so bad, I'm looking into my second above ground pool but I'm thinking about burying half of it and build a patio on one side if I do I'll create a hub on my experience :), Thanks for sharing your story and don't give up hope, there's still time for a pool :). Start the safety cover installation by rolling out the cover on the pool deck or your lawn, find the end of the cover that goes over the stairs, and place the cover near the edge of the pool so you can slide the cover over the pool easily. Your filter should take about 2-5 minutes to clean. Even more important, it eases pressure on the pool walls by allowing winter's ice to push in on the flotation device, not outward on the walls. If you have a safety cover, start pulling up the anchors on the pool deck and start unwrapping the pool cover that you have in storage. I disagreed, saying if I put in a pool, I'd put the pool equipment on solar--off the grid, then use a pool maintenance company! (diatomaceous earth) grids with Filter Cleaner, then rinse them clean with a garden hose. It's stronger than a summer cover, both to withstand the weight of snow and ice, and to protect people or pets from accidentally falling through the cover into the water. In the spring, we are just going to drain the pool anyways. If you have a heater, remove any drain plugs and drain it. If your pool is surrounded by a lot of trees, consider adding a leaf catcher, which can save you hours in dredging fallen leaves. Eddie Carrara (author) from New Hampshire on September 09, 2017: Just make sure most of all the water is drained for the lines and use non-toxic environmentally safe antifreeze in the lines and filter. Slide the spring covers over each spring as you attach them to the anchors, otherwise they may fall off into the water when installing the cover. The gizmo is installed for 2 reasons, one is to stop water form reentering the skimmer lines during the winter and two, it is air filled, so that if water does enter the skimmer and freezes, the ice will expand and crush the gizmo and not split or crack your skimmer housing. Add winterizing chemicals by pouring them into a bucket and then into the pool. Remove the hoses that are attached to the pool and the pump. Place the handle of the diverter valve in a neutral position between filter and waste, or something like that, just don't leave the lever in one of the designated positions because there is still water in the diverter, when you put the handle in a neutral position it will allow the water to freeze and expand without cracking something internally on the diverter valve (See picture). Winterize your inground pool in 7 easy steps: Start by brushing the walls, emptying skimmer baskets and vacuuming, right down to the pool floor. Eddie Carrara (author) from New Hampshire on September 28, 2017: The air line fitting is a standard fitting that you would hook to an air tool or air hose. Once the pump and the filter basket housing is drained, reinstall the drain cap on the filter, the vent cap and install the air line fitting to the bottom of the basket housing. LOL, In the end, it was not to be for many other reasons, and at this point, I don't think we could have had a pool anyway, because where would we drain it? Add your winterizing chemicals. Remove the filter hoses. This can be done by setting the pool filter multi-port valve to waste and backwashing the water. Finally, put the cover on the pool to protect it from polluting elements and prevent debris from getting into the pool. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters. Then pull the filter plug to drain the main tank. Open the drain at the bottom of the filter to let out any water in the filter outlet; be sure to open the air relief valve on top if you have one. This features a large pressure sand and water drain to help with winterizing, and the 7-position Vari-Flo control valve has an easy-to-use handle. How to Winterize a Hayward Pool Pump. Attach an air line from your compressor, remove the water from the return lines, make sure the diverter handle is in the filter position. I use to remove the pool light for fear of it cracking from the ice pushing against it but now I leave it in. First and foremost, your pool needs to be totally clean and the PH, Alkalinity, Hardness, and Chlorine levels need to be set to their ideal levels. Put drain plug with other removed items in the pump basket. To filter the water is draining, start removing the jet nozzles on inlet. I do n't panic an inground pool of any debris, blowing water out of the cover the. 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