Preparing outdoor pools in winter

 
Swimming pool manufacturers recommend keeping outdoor pools filled during the winter. The advantages: keeping the pool filled with water counteracts the pressure of slipping earth (pressing in the sides of the pool) or any "floating" of the pool when the groundwater level is high in spring. A filled pool is also less exposed to the effects of the weather, and cannot be damaged by any objects falling into it.

Adding a product such as Desalgine, for the duration of the winter, also has an additional advantage: this will prevent lime deposits or algae growth from the very start and this will in turn make the spring cleaning much easier and involve less effort. Desalgine - 3 litres

 

Note the following for winter:

1. Set pH (7.0 - 7.4)

2. Keep the circulation running when you do a chlorine shock,

so that existing impurities do not “hibernate”

3. When the pool is out of use, ensure the water level is below the ducts

4. Spread the proper dosage of Puripool over the whole pool

5. Empty outside pipes

6. Place an ice buffer to compensate for ice pressure in the pool

A bit more indepth

Now add a special winterizing product that will ensure your swimming pool is will protected from algae during the coming winter months. 

Once you have added everything required you will need to leave your pump running for a good 12 hours. This will make sure the chlorine and winterizing product is completely distributed throughout the water.

To get the water level in the swimming pool correct you should switch off your skimmer valve and let the water drain until it is 6" below the skimmer's bottom. This will prevent flooding due to rainwater.

Prepare your summer cover for storage by giving it a good clean with either a pressure washer or some fresh clean water. Once it is thoroughly cleaned it can be put away and your winter cover taken out of storage.

Before fitting the winter cover place something in the pool to prevent wall damage if the water in your swimming pool freezes. Anything that will absorb the expansion will do such as some empty chemical containers half filled with water. When you fit the winter cover, make sure it is tight to prevent anything from getting underneath.

Make sure children know the swimming pool is now closed and off limits to visitors. A pool cover is designed to keep leaves, dirt etc. out of the water. It is not designed to take the weight of a person or even a pet. If you do have mall children their are products now available that are winter/safety covers. After a few days you will probably have to tighten the cover again so keep an eye on it for the first few days. You should then check your cover a couple of times a week throughout winter to ensure it is still secure and tight.

With the cover securely in place you should now drain the water from your filter, pump and heater. You will find a drain plug at the bottom of each. If you don't do this, when the water freezes inside the equipment it will most likely damage them beyond repair.

Once early spring arrives and the worst of the weather is over, you should run your pump for a good 6 to 10 hours, depending on the size of your pool, to circulate the chlorine and long life algicide throughout the entire swimming pool.