mesh covers will allow up to 5% sunlight into pool. objects that could puncture the tarp cover out of the pool. pool, but the reward is a guarantee of clean and clear water next season. Simply It may not display this or other websites correctly. While there are many different places to get closing kits and winterization kits, most of them all contain the same selection of chemicals. These mesh covers also come in different quality and thickness of mesh. If your pool is well balanced and chlorinated already then you probably do not need to add an FILTER remove the grids, clean thoroughly and inspect for tears or stretching. Hmmmm, in theory, thats a GREAT idea, but winter covers are not water proof. The only thing that you would need to do is know where the returns are With a mesh cover it is important to close fairly late in the season, ideally when the water has gotten below 50 degrees. Let this continue for close to 5 minutes and then close the valve on the main drain. - Swimming Pool Steve to the water is a great idea. It will be closed green and Sign-Up to Receive Exclusive Text Promotions. additional algaecide over and above a heavy shock of chlorine before you put the cover on. the only thing that you should add to the water is a strong dose of chlorine shock. Sand is a pain mesh safety cover you now should close the pool before you start to experience freezing temperatures at night - long past the point that you are actually swimming in Fill only 1/2 way to allow for expansion from freezing. The warmer water uses up chemicals more quickly than at cooler temperatures. oxidizer dose will eliminate all of the organic debris in the water as well burning off the chloramines (spent chlorine) that is likely in the water. Safety covers allow water into the pool over the winter which means that in the spring it is usually full to operating level (if not overflowing). Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Consider a pool cover pump to remove water and melted snow before they cause damage. Costco, at least in the area that I am located, sells a very inexpensive So if not a pool closing kit, then what chemicals should you add to your pool when you close it? Position your water tubes prior to filling. primarily acts as a sanitizer, but also as an oxidizer. it will be opened early in the spring looking like a bachelor apartment for Swamp Thing. If youre doing it yourself, its always safer to lower the water several inches below the skimmer and return openings (or jets). I strongly endorse the use of Basecrete products to all concrete pool owners. Depends on if you are closing it yourself (below the returns is easier to blow out lines I think). The gizzmo will take pressure from ice instead of your skimmer and prevent breakage. One is the algaecide and the other is usually a stain and scale Lifelong exposure rates to copper, and other metals in the pool water, is a concern worth considering. This will benefit you by protecting the tarp cover and helping to get a long service life from it since most sticks will not ever make it to Loop Loc Covers & Pool Opening Question ? When used correctly, a leaf new can make cleaning your pool in the spring much easier. Copper is also absorbed by the human body through your skin and metal is something that the covers have a second track just above the liner track and this is where the lock in cover is installed. Water tubes should be placed end to end all the way around the pool on the edge of the cement and cover to hold it in place. One of the 4 factors that defines chlorine as the Your email address will not be published. www.BasecreteUSA.com water bags, or at most, a few water bags to help hold it in place. In the spring it will be easier to It also used to be that water bags were made from thick, durable materials help keep the green water at bay. That is what I have gathered here. This is where a good test kit is essential. I'm in the same boat here. Will the chlorine last all the way to spring? And, because it will be warm when you open your pool, its going to take even more chemicals to clear it. Similar to the track that retains the liner bead, pools that use these The reason is simple: TFPC (Trouble Free Pool Care) is a methodology, not a product that you must purchase. You can use a brush attachment on your skimmer pole under the cover to agitate the water and help the chlorine you add to diffuse *10L of liquid chlorine is suitable for pools 16x32' to 20x40'. You can even slip a pump under the safety cover and pump most of the water off of the tarp before you even open the pool. made of money, using an automatic cover for the winter is not a good idea. Air will come out of the drains on the bottom of the pool. worked largely on the construction side. also, is there a trick to getting the cover on? Raising the chlorine level in the water will help to protect the pool The problem is that once the cover tears then it is no longer working to isolate the pool water. prevention chemical. So, THATS IT! That leads to tile pops. Typically, winter cover warranties do not apply to wind damage. Winter Shock is specially designed to work within lower water temperatures and conditions found in closed swimming pools. By using a pump to keep water from pooling on the cover you could,in theory, use an automatic pool cover as Also for much of my career I was located in Vancouver BC more important fact that is worth considering and that is that you already have an algaecide in the water. For some readers this information would hardly seem revolutionary. This means that the oxidizer has a short life in the water. a pool that is full in the spring then you can start up your pool before you remove the cover. you want to make sure your pool water is perfectly clean and clear in the spring. You must log in or register to reply here. You also don't lower the water level as much as you might with a solid cover. Air pillows to fit under your winter pool cover, and they help relieve pressure -- and protect your pools walls -- as your pool water freezes. hand has the ability to hold a residual. In warmer temperatures having a cover on the pool during the day can promote algae growth however in the relatively cool spring temperatures Take care of your tarp and replace it any time you discover a hole. A granular With an adjustable platform base, union connections included and a very strong warranty these pumps offer an impressive value to pool owners. it is sometimes, but not always. OIC, I missed that. This By using this website you are agreeing to the terms and conditions. If you have a rip in your cover this will also most likely result in green water in your pool in the spring. A pool with a mesh safety cover should be closed as late into the season as As an additional benefit, the rugged safety cover keeps all the malicious sticks and In this You can get away with no extra algaecide or using your own shock treatment but the no. Each type of pool filter has a unique shutdown process. Step 4 Remove equipment Remove ladders, auto vacs, skimmer weir or door, flow control flap, and skimmer basket. Hook up the blower to the bottom of the skimmer (below the skimmer basket) and turn the handle on your filter to recirculate. So what is the difference? Lock in winter pool covers are also designed to isolate the pool water from both debris and water from rain or snow. Probably not, but it should be enough to make sure that your water is crystal clear in the spring. Pool Shock - Pool closing kits all come with some form of pool shock. Before we can even get into the specific steps you need to take to keep your water clean and clear over the winter we need to look at pool covers. monitor this high volume of swimming pool closings the following spring when the pool was opened. Something that deserves an entire The biggest problem Winterizing or shutting down your pool for the season helps safeguard your pool from costly damage related to freezing water. Yup. If you dont have recirculate on your filter, just leave it in the filter position. Be sure to remove the leaf net PRIOR TO THE FIRST SNOW FALL. The biggest is that the stain and scale product is a metal Step 9 Take out all your return (or jet) eyeballs Remove the return (or jet) face plate, eyeball and inner connector. - Swimming Pool Steve New Black + Decker variable speed pumps are available online from www.PoolPartsToGo.com and they are a drop in replacement for many popular pump models including Pentair Superflo and Hayward Super Pumps. Anyone know if this is a problem? net. you could probably run your pool for up to 2 weeks before taking the cover off, though 48 to 72 hours prior to removing the cover is ideal. Water and air should start coming out of the jets. 1st season with a pool and I just bought a mesh cover that I need to install. secondary cover. Unfortunately, its getting to be that time of year again. Then, wait a day or two for the chlorine to come down to its normal level, about 1.5 to 3.5 PPM. All Rights Reserved, Remove and Clean Pool Equipment and Accessories, Drain Your Pool Pump, Filters, Heaters, and Chlorinating Equipment. Go around the edges to make sure it is on tight. If you can get even a few years out of a new water bag these days then you are beating the system. Variable speed pool pump reviews with a new, smooth interior finish. plaster in concrete pools. We are a registered 501(c)3 non-profit that is funded by user donations. Make sure the main drain valve is open. Well, the answer to that is stability of chlorine. Try to avoid poor quality pool closing kits that have algaecide like this that makes the pool foamy. By having your pool vacuumed, clean, does not contain copperbut it also does not contain much in the way of algaecide either. This is a subject that could alone be discussed in great length. To have your product or service considered for listing here as an endorsed brand email SwimmingPoolSteve@gmail.com. every year. This sounds like something that you should add to your pool to prevent it from turning green right? You'll need to lower the level about 4 to 6 inches below the lowest plumbing line, normally the water return line. First, position the cover so the colored side is up and the black side is down. Step 16 Protect your Pool Chemicals Do you have chemicals left over from the swimming season? The thinnest of the If you plug them back up and water happens to get into them, they might freeze over and crack your equipment. Once the equipment is out of the way, remove all debris from the pool using a net, a soft broom, or even a leaf rake. A leaf net can be very useful in keeping the vast majority of Move the filter handle to the filter position and uncap the last jet capped. Run until you see the anti-freeze coming out of the return (or jet). A debris cover is a pool cover that is designed to keep physical debris out If you need to, now is a good time to replace any grids that have been torn or stretched. Find the latest information on all of your pool needs! Next, add weight. Lock In Pool Covers - Lock in pool covers are most often used on vinyl liner pools. These types of covers make it much harder to ensure clear pool water in the spring. Have Questions? Most typically I would add 10L* of liquid chlorine once the pool water level has The following links and products are to affiliates of the Swimming Pool Steve website. Automatic Pool Covers - Auto covers for swimming pools are fantastic for many reasons such as improved chemical efficiency, improved heat efficiency, ease of Then you can put it back on in the spring, prior to opening. You can also lube around the edges to get a tighter seal. lighter mesh cover however any water that is able to leak into the pool will carry contaminants. The Swimming Pool Steve blog There is also one of your off season will all impact your ability to open a pool to crystal clear water. This will give you a strong chlorine concentration in the water, about 7 - 12 ppm free chlorine, which is Further to this there are also multiple strengths (concentrations) of each kind. Please consider. Step 5 Add Winter Shock Winter Shock oxidizes wastes, keeps pool surfaces clean, helps prevent algae growth and other problems that can occur over the winter months. Step 2 Balance Chemicals. Periodic removal of water is best, or using an EZ Drain Winter Cover instead of a traditional pool cover. 2952 Shaffer Ave SEGrand Rapids, MI 49512. remove the water from on top of your cover and reduce the chance to accidentally dump dirty water into your pool as you are removing the cover. Run the pump and filter for several hours to circulate the water. Were happy to help! Be sure to disconnect the pressure switch and check the original owners manual for any other details relating to winterizing. Theres just a few differences between aboveground and inground pool closings. Youll appreciate it in the spring when you open to a clean pool instead of a green pool. and would last for many seasons. water is when you close it, the better the pool will look when you open it - super simple stuff! is that too low? the cover from damaging it or the deck mounting hardware. Amazon Disclosure Statement - As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I put mine on upside down. Your last one should be the one furthest from the pump and filter. This pretty much leaves mesh safety cover owners with the most difficult challenge keeping the water clear. Yes, then you lower it during the winter if it approaches the tile. The biggest tip to avoid this is to augment your closing schedule. An isolation cover is designed to provide a complete barrier between the pool water and the outside world. A lock in cover is not a safety cover and you should never attempt to walk on one. This prevents the weight of water on It is also an oxidizer and a sanitizer as well as having the ability to hold a A solid safety cover will be less inclined to allow the pool water to turn green over the winter than a Pools with safety covers do not have to be drained as far down as pools without safety covers. After you are certain only air is coming out of the return (or jet), twist in the plug. Remove the plug and drain out the water. Find a Zagers near you! Step 11 Blow the Main Drain The blower should still be hooked up to the pool. residual value in the water. "ideal" sanitizer for pool water is the fact that chlorine itself is an algaecide. Endorsed Brands From Swimming Pool Steve You dont want ice forming at the tile line. One of the best places to get a pool winter tarp cover is to order it online. One critical component of pool closing: chlorine level. "chlorine free", then it will contain a strong oxidizer such as potassium monopersulphate. Well, I said I had Thatll be expensive. the water. sequestering agent which will help to remove metals in your pool water which can cause staining. Cap the return (or jet) and shut off the blower. in a few locations and add more chlorine. reduce the chances you open your pool to green water in the spring. Chances are it will be even MORE green than when you closed it. The difference between these two shock treatments is very important. JavaScript is disabled. But, to get it done right, there are a few steps you should follow. I have also covered this subject in my Pool Winterization Video Blog where I discuss each part of the closing process in detail. Clean the inside of the filter tank, reinstall the grids or store separated until spring away from winter weather. For a D.E. My experience in the pool and spa industry is largely in the construction side. While a cold pool, and one Water tube chart for pools. They carry everything from chemicals to replacement pumps to entire pool kits, with free shipping options and more "in stock" items than any other Canadian online retailer. Not balancing your pool water prior to closing will allow the water to become very corrosive at lower water temperatures. You can remove the above ground pool skimmer. touch the water, using the water bags around the perimeter to hold it tensioned across the pool. ideal heading into the winter. Lock in pool covers are custom made to fit the already been lowered to facilitate winterizing the plumbing. Leaf Nets will make spring clean up easy. makes this cover a debris cover, not an isolation cover. You are not supposed to leave a leaf net on the pool for the winter. If you want to continue learning about pools and spas from an industry expert follow swimming pool Steve on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube Above the returns? Likewise, water can be pulled out of the pool through the cover. unique situation, for example something like the interior surface condition of the pool will have a large impact on whether a pool will turn green or not. If youve got more questions on in-ground pool closings, you can post a comment below or just give us a call. Really? Sure, you can, but it wont be strong enough. Step 13 Install the Gizzmo Thread the gizzmo into the hole at the bottom of the skimmer. Some of the following tips are specific to certain situations that you may encounter: Pro tip: For best results, shock your pool a few days before you plan to shut it down. Will a single leaf or two be enough to turn the pool green over the winter? That way, you'll know where they are when you need them next spring. Definitely below the skimmer. Run the pump and filter for several hours to circulate the water. pump off the tarp and open the pool. encourage algae growth. Pool and spa chemistry crash course Turn on the blower. The same goes for opening in the spring in that you should open as soon as the freezing temperatures have stopped - long before it will actually be warm few different kinds of pool covers and you need to be able to identify yours and adjust your closing procedure accordingly. If you close your pool early and open it late with this type of cover then you are going to have green water, and possibly even neon green water. Keep the plugs out of these units. Jason, I can only assume you are talking about mesh covers that are not of this type? This will help keep mice and other rodents from damaging and nesting inside your solar cover. This would dramatically before the service company is scheduled to come and close itbut they do. BUT, before you go, heres just a few things Id like you to know: If Ive missed anything or if you have a question, just let us know. Then you can remove the gizmo from the skimmer and start the pool up. from rural water supplies such as a well. Have questions about how to close a pool? Granular chlorine Also the cover will allow silt into the pool along with the water. Water bags that you purchase now are so cheaply made they have a 50% failure rate new, right out of the box from the manufacturer. Chlorine on the other Solid covers usually have a mesh section in the deep end to allow snow and rain to melt into the pool. This type of cover is very difficult to keep clean and clear over the If you wanted to skip on the If the filter is small enough, you might be able to take it apart and store it for the winter. The best mesh covers allow only 1% of light into the pool. with a cover on it, will use minimal chlorine, it does still use some. Most visitors online was 3404 , on Jan 24 2020. clear and balanced properly you already are in good shape in terms of your chances to avoid green water over the off season. From this experience I have learned some tips that you can use if As cold weather approaches, its time to start thinking about winterizing your swimming pool. Its better to deal with a green pool in the spring than worry about clearing it up now. safety cover then you can add a tarp under the safety cover to isolate the pool water. Also, be careful to store them away from metals, lawn mowers, cars, paints, thinners, gasoline, kerosene, snowblowers, oil and other volatile materials. The problem is that the cover pump system is not perfect and it is easy for water to accumulate on top. Otherwise, this should be good from your initial install of the safety cover. Once the leaves have fallen then you are supposed to remove the leaf Pool anti-freeze is rated to much lower temperatures than standard anti-freeze. Hello , This is an inactive thread. Unless you are When a pool company comes to close the pool for the year they can not resolve deficiencies in water chemistry properly before closing it. To be extra safe, its always a good idea to use compressed air to blow the water out. Pro tip: Place all the plugs in the skimmer basket during your pool winterization maintenance. Itll catch all the leaves, sticks and other debris before getting settled in the winter cover and frozen in the ice. Some do below the returns then add more water. No, probably not. Does it help? Well, I can use a shop vac to blow out the lines on my inground pool. Required fields are marked *. Another option to help with keeping your chlorine levels up would be to add one or two large floating chlorine dispensers and fill them with Position it evenly on the water with about 1 ft of cover off of the pool. to get out of the pool when it falls in so eventually water bags took over the industry. guarantee clear water in the spring. In order to keep this resource about pools and spas available for free to all readers I earn commissions for purchases made through links on this page. enough to swim. Step 10 Blow the returns Again, we HIGHLY recommend having this done by a pool professional. Proof of variable speed pump savings Like us, many pool companies guarantee this service and if its not done right, you could be spending $1000s of dollars to repair your pool & lines. Check with your pool professional to learn how to properly winterize your pool, minimize damage, and ensure safety. into the pool.