Closing a swimming pool, yourself is not a big task if you know some essential steps and factors to consider. People may think that it is difficult or easy? Although many swimming pool contractors in Dubai can help you in this case, why should you spend money when you can do it by yourself?
Here we present you a list of some easy and effective steps for closing an in-ground swimming pool in the winter season. It is a thrilling and exciting journey for the people who do it for the very first time. Let’s have a quick look at some steps to follow.
STEP # 1
MAKE SURE pH LEVELS, CALCIUM HARDNESS, AND ALKALINITY ARE ADJUSTED
When you keep pH levels, calcium hardness, and alkalinity in balance, you’ll protect your swimming pool investment from corrosion or scale buildup that can occur over the winter while the pool is closed! You can make these adjustments a few days before you close the pool completely. It is the first step that you should consider.
STEP # 2
KILL ALL THE BACTERIA
At this stage, you can call for swimming pool repair in Dubai if you find anything troubling. Use chlorine or a chlorine substitute to kill bacteria that may be living in the pool (it’s in there!) Get a shock treatment containing at least 65% sodium hypochlorite or a chlorine substitute of equal strength. Then, add the recommended amount of therapy to a 5-gallon pail of pool water, and pour it into the pool while the filtration system runs.
The shock treatment that is “safe for people to swim in right away” is probably not enough to kill all the bacteria in your swimming pool, so since you won’t be swimming in it (since the pool will be closed), use the more substantial and quality stuff.
Don’t add the shock treatment to the water. Add the shock treatment to the water.
Before getting to the next step during the pool season, allow the chlorine level to reach 1 to 3ppm over a few days. A stronger algaecide is intended to prevent algae blooms throughout the winter.
STEP # 3
POOL CLEANING
Dispose of anything in the pool that is not water (H2O). Pumps, heaters, ladders, baskets, filters, hoses. These things should be removed. Before storing your pool equipment, wash it off and lay it out to dry. Use a skimmer properly. Keep the pool clean by vacuuming and brushing. It would be best to do this the same day you close it to keep debris from falling in. Clean up your pool efficiently by doing these simple things. It’s not as difficult as people think.
STEP # 4
DRAIN THE PIECES OF EQUIPMENT
Follow the steps to drain all the equipment in the best possible way.
- Lower the water level with a pump. The cover should be lower than the skimmer (depending on the cover you’re using).
- Water should be 12-18 inches below the skimmer with a mesh cover.
- Water should be at least 3-6 inches below the skimmer for a solid, floating cover.
- Drain the equipment (pump, heater, chlorinator, filters, etc.). It could be damaged if water freezes inside.
- Let the water drain from the equipment.
- Clean the filters thoroughly before storing them in a dry place indoors for the winter
- If you can’t remove the filters, use a shop vac or an air compressor to blow out any remaining water
STEP # 5
PLUMBING
During the winter, the lines running water into the pool should be dry to prevent them from freezing and cracking. With a shop vac, you can blow air from the skimmer through the equipment and back into the pool. Plug the lines with expansion plugs so that more water does not enter. If you decide not to blow out the lines, you can add swimming pool antifreeze to prevent the remaining water from freezing, but be sure to follow the instructions (as with any of these things).
STEP 6
SET THE POOL COVER
- If you’re using a cover, make sure it is designed especially for your pool! If it leaves gaps, debris can enter the pool over the winter and cause problems.
- Since solid floating covers don’t fit as tightly, you may have to pump out rainwater and other debris that gets into your pool over the winter.
- Make sure the cover is as secure as possible by using water bags or aqua blocks.
- Do you have trees around your pool? Use a leaf net to catch debris.
- The purpose of Air Pillows is to prevent the expansion of ice in above-ground pools (if you have in-ground pools, you don’t need them).
- With a leaf blower or shop vac, inflate the air pillows and tie them in the pool’s center (if you have a large pool, you may need more than one).
WRAPPING UP
This is all about the complete process of closing a swimming pool during the winter season. As you know, we don’t want to step into the coldest water in the winter season. So it is beneficial to close your swimming pool. Moreover, you can also ask swimming pool design contractors in Dubai about the care of your pool and how you can do it on your own. We hope this information is helpful for you.
