How deep should I drain my Pool in the winter?
It's acceptable to drain the pool a few more inches below that if you live in an area that gets heavy precipitation during the winter months. Some pool professionals even suggest draining the water to as much as 6 inches below the skimmer — about the level of the bottom of the pool's return jet.
How do you winterize a pool with a pool blower?
Then seal the pipes with rubber winter pool plugs to prevent any water from entering into the pipes during the off season. Pool blowers are attached to the skimmer, and push air through the skimmer line, through the equipment with drain plugs removed, and back through the return lines.
How do you keep a pool from freezing in the winter?
The water must also be partially drained to protect components such as the skimmer and return jet from freezing and expanding in winter's frozen temperatures. Once you've drained the water, place an airtight rubber plug in the return jet, and attach a skimmer plate inside the pool on the skimmer opening.
How much water should I drain from my swimming pool?
The amount of water you drain from the pool will depend on the type of pool you own. Partially draining the water from your swimming pool allows you to disconnect the filter from the pool without the water spilling from the filter connections.
How far should I drain my inground pool for winter?
Your water should only be drained so it sits just below the skimmer and jets. This helps make sure that no water can get into the pumping system. You may also need to drain a few extra inches of water, depending on the type of pool cover you're using.
Should I drain above ground pool for winter?
A: It's not a good idea to drain an above ground pool for winter. Snow, ice, extreme cold and errant debris will likely cause significant damage to a pool sitting out exposed to the elements. It's also expensive and time consuming to refill and chemically balance a new pool full of water in the spring.
Should I lower my pool water for winter?
0:142:46Do You Need to Lower the POOL WATER When You Close? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnswer the lowering the water level debate is all about freezing and cracking of your skimmer. IfMoreAnswer the lowering the water level debate is all about freezing and cracking of your skimmer. If you have an in-ground pool you must you must blow out the lines.
How low should you drain your inground pool?
Lower the water level in the pool approximately 3 to 6 inches below the bottom of the Skimmer. If you have a main drain, just shut off the valve(s) for the skimmer(s) and run the filter on backwash or waste.
Should I drain my above-ground pool and start over?
You may throw up your hands and decide the best course of action is to drain the pool and start over. In fact, draining a pool should be a last resort. Most in-ground pools will have to be drained and refilled at some point. But cleaning should not be the reason to do it.
Can I completely drain my above-ground pool?
Even though you can drain your above-ground pool without worrying about the permanent damage to which inground pools are suseptible, that doesn't mean it's something you want. If you absolutely do need to drain your pool, make sure that each of the items on this checklist apply first.
How high should pool water be in winter?
The best way to keep your winter cover on your pool is simply to maintain 2 inches of water on top of it and keep it free of leaves and other debris and monitor the water level inside the pool regularly.
What happens if pool water level is too high in winter?
It is very important to evaluate the water level in your pool and keep your water level well below the coping and tile or otherwise when the water freezes it will expand and the force of the ice will crack tile and coping resulting in expensive repairs.
How do I prepare my pool for winter?
Follow the steps below to prep your pool for the winter months.Step 1: Remove pool accessories. ... Step 2: Deep clean the pool. ... Step 3: Adjust the water chemistry. ... Step 4: Lower the water level. ... Step 5: Drain and store the equipment. ... Step 6: Add shock and algaecide. ... Step 7: Cover the pool.
How do I get the last 2 inches of water out of my pool?
Since both draining methods will not drain pool water to the last bit, you need to remove the extra liquid left at the bottom....To do so, you can:Use a wet vacuum to suck the stagnant water.Sweep the liquid into the drain.Remove the pool liner and flip it over somewhere your property to get rid of extra water.
How to winterize pool water?
For winterizing, it’s generally better to be on the high end of each chemical range. The chemicals will wear out eventually, but if they’re relatively high to start with, they’ll last longer.
Why is winterizing a pool important?
Winterizing a pool is essential for avoiding a variety of problems. Here are the most common threats winter poses:
How does freezing affect pool chemistry?
Cold and freezing temperatures can affect your pool chemistry. While the temperatures usually inhibit the growth of algae and bacteria, improperly winterizing your pool could throw the chemical balance off and lead to structural damage.
How long does a winterizing kit last in a pool?
Many pool stores sell winterizing chemical kits that should last for the entire season. Use one of these in your pool and follow the manufacturer’s directions exactly.
What to put in pool while it's open?
Accessories include toys, pool ladders, and anything else you might leave in or around your pool while it’s open. Thoroughly clean them, then store them in a dry area away from sunlight.
What is an air pillow in a pool?
Sometimes known as ice compensators, pool air pillows help to balance out the weight of any ice and snow that fall on top of your cover. The pad should be placed around the middle of the pool and ideally kept there somehow.
Can you winterize a pool when it gets too cold?
Unfortunately, cold snaps can be unpredictable, and homeowners like you don’t always have the opportunity to winterize things properly before it gets too cold outside. In these cases, the best option is to keep your pump running and winterize your pool as soon as possible.
When is the best time to have water in a pool?
In fact, the winter is possibly the most important time to make sure that you have water in your pool. Now, to get technical, there are MANY different kinds of swimming pools, located in MANY different kinds of climates. The geography of the pool, combined with the unique construction style used for your specific pool, ...
What happens when you drain a fiberglass pool?
Usually when you drain a fiberglass pool you would be actively controlling the ground water surrounding the pool for the entirety of the time the pool is empty. This would include pulling the hydrostatic relief valves and continually pumping the water that fills into the pool from beneath.
Why is my concrete pool not moving?
Even with a small amount of force from ground water trying to lift the pool, a concrete pool will not move because it is extremely heavy itself.
Why do you put a vinyl liner in a pool?
Just as with an aboveground vinyl pool, but even more important, the vinyl liner and water weight in the pool actually serve to strengthen and protect the overall shape and structure. This is one of the reasons why "draining your pool for us" made the top list of things you should NEVER say to your pool guy.
Why leave a vinyl pool empty?
Leaving a vinyl pool empty for an extended period of time, especially in cold climate areas, significantly reduces the strength of the pool to resist structural failures like shifting or bowing walls, or collapsing of the slopes in the pool.
Can you drain an above ground pool in the winter?
Before we can talk about why you should not drain an above ground pool for the winter you should first familiarize yourself with some of the different types of aboveground pools. Temporary pools are not meant to withstand freezing off season temperatures. These entry level swimming pools are the only type of pool which you can drain and pack away for the winter. Aboveground pools that have a vinyl liner are what I would consider to be the entry level pool into the "professional quality" category, so this is where we will start.#N#An aboveground pool with a vinyl liner should not be drained, but for a different reason than inground vinyl liner pools. Usually, aboveground pools do not have a shallow end and a deep end - most are flat bottom. Even those with floor contours will usually only have a "dished hopper" (a pool sloped to the deepest point in the middle) or a coved section where the wall meets the floor. Without a deep end to pull the liner away from the shallow end, most likely you could drain an above ground pool and the liner would not shift much. Much. Once a vinyl liner has been exposed to UV from the sun, as well as chemicals such as chlorine, it will shrink slightly and lose elasticity. This is why you can not re-purpose an old pool liner. Once used, if you let the liner dry out it will become stiff and brittle. Very old liners shatter like glass when you let them dry out. The older the liner is, the less plasticizers will remain in the material.#N#When you drain an above ground pool the liner will shrink, shift, and ultimately never go back to as good as it once was - even if you refill with water right away after draining. It would be common to expect to see wrinkles in the liner if you did drain and refill your above ground pool. Even if you are thinking that you need a new liner anyway, what you might not realize is that the weight of the water on the floor helps to protect it. You do not want to leave your pool empty for the winter even if you need a new liner as this will result in, at minimum, extra work that needs to be done to the floor when it comes time to hang a new liner in the pool. It is also worth noting that there are many different styles of aboveground pool kit. Some of these styles rely on the weight of the water pushing out on the walls to help structurally support the pool kit. A pool like this left empty for the winter would very likely suffer structural stresses and failures to the wall components.
Is it bad to drain a concrete pool in the winter?
Draining a concrete pool for the winter is a bad idea. Unfortunately there are enough people who drain theirs "successfully" as to spread misinformation to other concrete pool owners as to what is OK, and not OK to do to your pool.
How much does it cost to winterize a pool?
According to Benjamin Basch, chief development officer for American Pool Enterprises in Owings Mills, MD, the cost of winterizing a residential pool can range from $250 to just under $1,000.
Why is it important to winterize a pool?
But even in areas where winter means more rain and wind, proper winterization of your pool is important. To help protect your pool from harsh conditions so you can jump right into the summer fun next year, ...
Why does my pool pop out of the ground?
A swimming pool with little or no water can become unstable due to hydrostatic pressure from underground water. “If heavy rain comes in, the pool can pop out of the ground a foot or two,” Meece says.
What to do after cleaning pool?
After you’ve cleaned the pool, consider adding chemicals to help prevent an algae bloom. Since algae eat phosphate, experts suggest adding a phosphate remover treatment and a stain prevention product too.
What is the best cover for a pool?
One reliable option is a winter pool cover, which is made from a plastic fabric and is held in place by anchors surrounding the pool. These covers do a great job at keeping out dirt, leaves, and other debris. You can also use a tarp cover that’s held down by water bags surrounding the pool, but it could be a drowning hazard.
How long can you run a pool pump?
If the temperatures unexpectedly plunge to 32 degrees or below before you close, you can run the pool pump for a full 24 hours. As long as the water is moving through the pipes, it won’t freeze.
Do pools need to be winterized?
It all depends on where you live. Homes in sunny Southern California or Arizona probably won’t have to close at all. But if you live where it gets frigid, your pool will need to be winterized before temperatures dip to 32 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent water from freezing.
How to lower water level in pool?
For sand and D.E. pool filters, you can use the backwash line to lower your pool water. Close the skimmer valves or plug the skimmers, to continue pumping below the skimmer level using the main drain line. Cartridge filtered pools may have a drain attachment attached to the pressure side of the pool, if not, a small submersible pump or gravity siphon can be used to lower the water level.
What keeps pool water clean?
Algaecides and chemical floaters will keep your pool water clean while the pool is not in use and prevent the growth of algae and bacteria. Use a Winterizing Chemical Kit and follow our easy instructions.
What chemicals are used to keep pool water clean?
Winter Chemicals: Algaecides and chemical floaters will keep your pool water clean while the pool is not in use and prevent the growth of algae and bacteria. Use a Winterizing Chemical Kit and follow our easy instructions.
What items to remove from a pool?
Other items to remove include hand rails, skimmer baskets, wall fittings, fill spouts, solar blankets, pool cleaners. Store inside if possible, or if not, in a dry, protected area.
Why cover a pool heater?
This year, cover your pool heater with our Universal Pool Heater Cover & Heat Pump Covers to prevent any damage that could be caused by snow, debris or animals. Keeps harsh weather and debris out, and deters spiders, rodents, birds and other critters from causing problems to your heater.
What happens if you close your pool in the winter?
If you close the pool with algae, dirt or debris still inside, your winter chemicals become overburdened, and you have a real mess on your hands come spring time. It’s always best to deal with any water problems before you close the pool for the winter.
Why is it important to cover a pool?
Covering your pool is very important to prevent debris and sunlight, which in the absence of filtration, allows algae to grow and thrive. Pool covers come in solid or mesh types.
