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Making sure you look after your pool and spa during the cold months
By Spa guru | March 11, 2009
An important part of maintaining a spa, hot tub, swim spas or swimming pool includes preparing it for those months when you may not be using it. It is believed that pools should be shut when the temperatures at night hit the 40s. Closing the lid too early will promote the risk of algae overgrowth. If you wait until trees start to shed their leaves, then you may have that mess to cope with.
It is often thought necessary to winterize the plumbing, equipment and pool structure before any of these components freeze. The governing body for pools and spas advise you to inspect the structure and equipment to ensure everything is working. If something needs to be repaired, you should do it before closing your pool for the season and ideally before the freezing weather sets in.
The wastewater from your pool and spa should be emptied into relevant drains. If your filter does not have a “waste” indicator, vacuum on the “filter” position only. Its is easier to suck the waste using a vacuum.
It is recommended to carry out this water treatment in the winter so that the water does not become corrosive when the temperature drops to the freezing point or below. Winter chemicals will be added either before draining or before placing the pool cover on. It is suggested to check the manuals that come with the chemicals or cover.
After closing the valve on the skimmer line, you should then lower the water level to about 18 inches below the pool’s coping. How far you lower the level will depend on the type of pool.It is suggested to check the instructions of your pool manufacturer for more information.
Be sure to drain the water and blow water out of all piping. To blow water out of circulation lines it is advisable to use a tank vacuum cleaner on reverse flow or an air compressor. You try an extract as much as possible from the heater and filter. Make sure to add the nontoxic antifreeze when winterizing. It is obtainable at most hot tub shops. This will help to protect the pool from freezing for to -12° C.
Drain valves thoroughly, making sure that any below water level are securely sealed. It is best to use an electric heat tape for lines below water level that could be exposed to freezing but cannot be drained or filled with antifreeze.
Lights that have less than 18 inches of water above them are best removed. It can be stored in a dry place as long as wrapped in plastic.
Drain the pump by removing the plugs and with the help of a wet/dry vac remove all the water from the pump housing and strainer compartment. Try not to remove the drain plugs when adding the antifreeze. Rust can be prevented by coating the drain hole threads.
All filters should be completely drained and drain plugs left out and again apply a lubricant to the threads.
Finally the cover. Having the lid tightly secured will ensure no unwanted waste into the pool!
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