Preparing A Pool For Winter

[PoolSpaNewb]

Hey guys,

Got a 15' x 30' x 54" oval above ground pool. All resin exterior. Salt water. Cartridge filter. 1.5 hp two stage pump.

As the title suggests, Im curious to know what is actually needed to close the pool for the winter. I went to the pool store and obviously, they tried to sell me a ton of stuff (none of which I bought). I stopped listening but I think the soon to be decommissioned MIR space station was on the list. Anywho, some of the things mentioned were:

- a leaf cover or solid cover for the pool

- 3 different chemicals to put in the water so it stays stable over the winter

- a foam insert thingy for the skimmer

- a cover for the skimmer (rectangular, plastic) and Im assuming its to put over the skimmer so nothing gets into it

So, what do I actually need?

I guess, whilst I am at it, a couple question on pool draining: how much do I drain it? Ive heard everything from just below the skimmer to half way .. what is true?

I have heard of a trick where you get a couple of big beach balls, put them in the water and when you put the winter cover on, its peaked in the middle so snow, ice, leaves, etc, have the potential to slide off .. as opposed to all sitting on the tarp. This true? Accurate? Will it work?

Anywho .. just want to get some information as Id like to get stuff squared away before last minute.

Thanks a bunch.

[Trigger]

Hey guys,

Got a 15' x 30' x 54" oval above ground pool. All resin exterior. Salt water. Cartridge filter. 1.5 hp two stage pump.

As the title suggests, Im curious to know what is actually needed to close the pool for the winter. I went to the pool store and obviously, they tried to sell me a ton of stuff (none of which I bought). I stopped listening but I think the soon to be decommissioned MIR space station was on the list. Anywho, some of the things mentioned were:

- a leaf cover or solid cover for the pool

- 3 different chemicals to put in the water so it stays stable over the winter

- a foam insert thingy for the skimmer

- a cover for the skimmer (rectangular, plastic) and Im assuming its to put over the skimmer so nothing gets into it

So, what do I actually need?

I guess, whilst I am at it, a couple question on pool draining: how much do I drain it? Ive heard everything from just below the skimmer to half way .. what is true?

I have heard of a trick where you get a couple of big beach balls, put them in the water and when you put the winter cover on, its peaked in the middle so snow, ice, leaves, etc, have the potential to slide off .. as opposed to all sitting on the tarp. This true? Accurate? Will it work?

Anywho .. just want to get some information as Id like to get stuff squared away before last minute.

Thanks a bunch.

I'm not familliar with salt water systems but for an above ground chlorine pool with a sand filter what was recommended to you sounds right. You'd defintaly want to winterize with the chemicals and install a cover supported by an inflatable pillow. I'm in New england and closign the pool correctly for 6 months makes all the difference in the world come spring time.

FWIW, here's what I do.

Vacuum the pool. Remove the ladder.

1) I sanitize the pool with one of the closing chemicals (usually run this for 24 hours).

2) run a winterizer thru the pump (blue liquid)

3) Drain the pool down below the skimmer opening

4) Insert a cover plate over the skimmer (this prevents water into the skimmer wich can freeze and then snap your skimmer and a plug in my return outlet (prevent water from running out of the return and freezing.)

5) Disconect the skimmmer hose, and the return hose from the pump/filter

6) Drain the filter

7) Hang a chlorinator pack in the pool by running a rope across the pool and hanging the pack in the middle of the rope.

8) inflate the cover pillow (ie "the beach balls") and secure in the middle of the pool using ropes.

9) put the cover on over the pool and filter.

Keep leaves and water off the cover as best as possible.

I could see how the first time you go to purchase all this stuff it may seem overwhelming but

It's really not that much once you have the cover and pillows and plugs (which get reused every year), once you have that it's maybe $40 in chemicals.

I go to Namco and they set me up with the correct items for my pool and havne't steered me wrong.

My cover has a wire cable along the perimeter that I tighten to keep it on the pool. I did buy a bunch of plastic clips to help keep the wind from getting under the cover, but when the snow get's on the cover these just pop off. Lesson: don't depend soley on the plastic clips to keep you cover on.

I wouldn't drain the pool much further past the skimmer, other wise you run the risk of having the sides collapse if the cover getsheavy with a lot of snow on it.

I'd also recomend a submersible pump to pump water off the cover. Other wise you'll end up getting all the dirty water and leaves that are on you cover back into your pool when you try to get the cover off (you won't be able to get the cover off if it has water on it).

Good luck!

[PoolSpaNewb]

I'm not familliar with salt water systems but for an above ground chlorine pool with a sand filter what was recommended to you sounds right. You'd defintaly want to winterize with the chemicals and install a cover supported by an inflatable pillow. I'm in New england and closign the pool correctly for 6 months makes all the difference in the world come spring time.

FWIW, here's what I do.

Vacuum the pool. Remove the ladder.

1) I sanitize the pool with one of the closing chemicals (usually run this for 24 hours).

2) run a winterizer thru the pump (blue liquid)

3) Drain the pool down below the skimmer opening

4) Insert a cover plate over the skimmer (this prevents water into the skimmer wich can freeze and then snap your skimmer and a plug in my return outlet (prevent water from running out of the return and freezing.)

5) Disconect the skimmmer hose, and the return hose from the pump/filter

6) Drain the filter

7) Hang a chlorinator pack in the pool by running a rope across the pool and hanging the pack in the middle of the rope.

8) inflate the cover pillow (ie "the beach balls") and secure in the middle of the pool using ropes.

9) put the cover on over the pool and filter.

Keep leaves and water off the cover as best as possible.

I could see how the first time you go to purchase all this stuff it may seem overwhelming but

It's really not that much once you have the cover and pillows and plugs (which get reused every year), once you have that it's maybe $40 in chemicals.

I go to Namco and they set me up with the correct items for my pool and havne't steered me wrong.

My cover has a wire cable along the perimeter that I tighten to keep it on the pool. I did buy a bunch of plastic clips to help keep the wind from getting under the cover, but when the snow get's on the cover these just pop off. Lesson: don't depend soley on the plastic clips to keep you cover on.

I wouldn't drain the pool much further past the skimmer, other wise you run the risk of having the sides collapse if the cover getsheavy with a lot of snow on it.

I'd also recomend a submersible pump to pump water off the cover. Other wise you'll end up getting all the dirty water and leaves that are on you cover back into your pool when you try to get the cover off (you won't be able to get the cover off if it has water on it).

Good luck!

Awesome. Thanks a ton, man. I really appreciate the time taken to write that out.

Sounds like I had a better handle on it than I thought

[PoolSpaNewb]

Hello again,

As a follow up to above ...

I bought a "winter closing kit" from Costco. It was a really good price. The kit contains:

4 Litres - Antifreeze -51 degrees celcius

1 Litre - Formula 6 Closing

4 Litres - Algae preventitive

1 Litre - Stabilizer

Now, the packaging says the kit treats up to 80,000 liters of water. Obviously I have nowhere NEAR that amount in the pool (again, 15x30x54" oval - drained to 13" below the skimmer). At max, I believe the pool has about 40,000 liters. Right now, probably around 30,000 or so.

The instructions for the closing kit just says "poor this chemical, pour this chemical, etc." My question is .. do I need ALL the quantities of the chemicals? Or do I gauge down based on the amount of water. Ie. 4L of antifreeze can treat up to 80,000. I have less than 40,000 liters so I only put in half?

I just dont want to get into a situation where I am over saturating the remaining water with a bunch of chemicals it doesnt need.

Any advice would be awesome.

As usual .. thanks a ton.

[Trigger]

Hello again,

As a follow up to above ...

I bought a "winter closing kit" from Costco. It was a really good price. The kit contains:

4 Litres - Antifreeze -51 degrees celcius

1 Litre - Formula 6 Closing

4 Litres - Algae preventitive

1 Litre - Stabilizer

Now, the packaging says the kit treats up to 80,000 liters of water. Obviously I have nowhere NEAR that amount in the pool (again, 15x30x54" oval - drained to 13" below the skimmer). At max, I believe the pool has about 40,000 liters. Right now, probably around 30,000 or so.

The instructions for the closing kit just says "poor this chemical, pour this chemical, etc." My question is .. do I need ALL the quantities of the chemicals? Or do I gauge down based on the amount of water. Ie. 4L of antifreeze can treat up to 80,000. I have less than 40,000 liters so I only put in half?

I just dont want to get into a situation where I am over saturating the remaining water with a bunch of chemicals it doesnt need.

Any advice would be awesome.

As usual .. thanks a ton.

I used to have an 18 ft round above ground pool that had 8200 gallons (31000 liters) and now have a 21 round pool which is about 9100 gallons (34000 liters) Even though the bottles say they can treat larger volumes of water, I was told to use the entire contents. I haven't had any adverse effects from doing so, and my water is in great shape when I take the cover off in the spring.

Maybe you could get away with using less but I don't know if the opened bottles have any type of shelf life? Consdering the winterizing chemicals cost me about $20 I just use the entire contents and not worry about it.

Good luck.

PS...if you are tying anything in the pool (such as the inflatable pillow, or a chlorine pack) I recomend using nylon rope or cord. Cotten rope will disengrate over the winter.

[PoolSpaNewb]

I used to have an 18 ft round above ground pool that had 8200 gallons (31000 liters) and now have a 21 round pool which is about 9100 gallons (34000 liters) Even though the bottles say they can treat larger volumes of water, I was told to use the entire contents. I haven't had any adverse effects from doing so, and my water is in great shape when I take the cover off in the spring.

Maybe you could get away with using less but I don't know if the opened bottles have any type of shelf life? Consdering the winterizing chemicals cost me about $20 I just use the entire contents and not worry about it.

Good luck.

PS...if you are tying anything in the pool (such as the inflatable pillow, or a chlorine pack) I recomend using nylon rope or cord. Cotten rope will disengrate over the winter.

Oh gosh, its totally not a matter of cost. I just didnt want to dump 4L of something and have the water be just as bad in a different way come the spring. I trust your judgement and I'll just dump away

As for the tying, duely noted

Thanks a ton for the advice.