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Step1: Balance the Water. Your water may already be balanced, but you'll know for sure when you bring a water sample in for FREE analysis. Just bring in about 1 cup of pool water in whatever you have that is clean - a zip lock bag, clean cup, tupperware, glass jars, etc. all work well. We also have water sample bags and bottles that we can give you. The test only takes about 5 minutes. When it is completed you will have a step-by-step printout of what you need to add to balance the water and what chemicals are needed before winterizing.
Austin Pool's Tip: Take the solar cover off when the season is over and let the water cool down. Don't winterize until the water temperature is below 55 degrees.
Step 2: Clean Up. Brush the walls of your pool, then vacuum well (leaves can cause stains). Clean the waterline with BioGuard's "Off The Wall" cleaner.
Step 3: Backwash and Clean Filter. If your filter has not been chemically cleaned recently (in the last 6 weeks), use BioGuard's Strip Kwik, Kleen It , or SoftSwim Filter Cleaner. Turn the filter off and allow it to soak according to the label directions. Then backwash until clean. Never store a dirty filter. Deposits and scale harden and toughen over the winter, making clean-up much more difficult in the spring.
Step 4: Partially Drain the Pool. Inground Pools - Drain pool down 4 or 5 inches below the skimmer (if you are using a skimmer gizzmo and jet plugs, draining is not necessary.) NOTE: If you are using a mesh cover, drain the pool down no more that 18 inches (draining further will void the warranty.) Above Ground Pools - Remove the lines from the jets and the skimmer. Simply let the water drain out the sides and leave the water at that level with openings still open. Any additional rain water will simply overflow, it is best to leave above ground pools as full as possible.
Step 5: Protect Your Pool. Now add your winterizing chemicals. Chlorine Pools - use BioGuard's Winterizing Kit. It has the chlorine and algicide needed to close your pool. SoftSwim Pools - add 1 gallon of C for every 10,000 gallons, top the B up to 50 ppm, and add your initial dose of A (1 qt./25,000 gallons).
Step 6: Prepare Equipment. Inground Pools - Put anti-freeze through the lines, plug the returns. DO NOT use automobile anti-freeze -- it's toxic. Swimming pool & RV anti-freezes both are OK to use. All Pools - Drain water from your filter, heater, and pump. Be sure the filter is set on the "winterize" setting or the filter will not drain properly. Most sand filters and pumps will have a small plug in the bottom of them. Take the plugs out. Remove the baskets from the pump pot and skimmer. Make sure all electricity and gas are turned off.
Austin Pools Tip - Store the plugs from you pump and filter, the eye ball jets, and other small pieces inside your pump pot basket or skimmer basket. Then store in a protected area. This makes finding everything much easier in the spring.
Step 7: Cover Your Pool. A well-designed pool cover (mesh or solid) will keep your pool relatively free of leaves and debris.
Austin Pools Tip - Our Kansas wind is extremely hard on above ground pool winter covers. One idea for keeping the cover down better is to take empty gallon milk jugs. Fill them 3/4 full of water. Tie 4 foot of rope to each milk jug. Tie one rope/jug at each post all the way around the pool. Lay the milk jugs on top of the the cover. A second idea (if the milk jugs do not work), you can also put something heavy out in the middle to hold the cover down. We have used a 50 lb. sand bag (just be sure to tie something to the bag so you can get it off in the spring).
Tip #2 - We recommend adding extra chemical to your pool at Thanksgiving time and Easter. Chlorine Pools - add 1 lb. of Super Soluble (sodium dichlor) for every 10,000 gallons. Predissolve in some warm water and pour in one spot. SoftSwim Pools - Add 1 gallon of C for every 10,000 gallons. It can be added in one spot.
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