To close or not to close our SWG pool

[leeharvey]

We're almost done. What's left is some plumbing at the pad. The vinyl liner is installed, water level is just below the returns. Recently put in the light niche, skimmer, and return cover plates. We have water in the returns, skimmers, and jets (deck and step) so we could pressure test it and then we just temporarily capped it off. Our concrete deck is done but we still have dirt for a yard (1/2 acre).

Looked for articles or threads about closing and chemicals needed for SWG pool. Didn't quite find what I was looking for. My question is this, do we necessarily need to put the chemicals in and run it through the pump, filter, and SWG for the winter? We're kinda at a good spot with the water level below the returns and we could blow the lines then finish the plumbing.

The status right now is the water is really dirty. We have high winds here occasionally. It's supposed to be a mild winter but it's getting down to 30 at night and 50-60 during the day.

Thanks for any help. Much appreciated!
Lee and Charissa

 

[Texas Splash]

Hello Lee and Charissa! Welcome to TFP. First thing, here is the page for closing: Pool School - Closing an In Ground Pool. The key here is that your "water" temp be consistently below 60 degrees for optimum results and to minimize/reduce the chances of algae in the water in the off-season. Yes, typically we circulate chemicals to help sanitize the water to achieve the optimum FC (free chlorine) , pH, and other factors. As for actually closing your pool, if you don't experience "hard freezes" like in other areas, you may not need to actually close the pool (disconnect equipment, shut things totally off, etc).

If you haven't been to the Pool School - ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry page yet, please do so. Also, if you don't have a TF-100 or Taylor K-2006, please order one ASAP from TFTestkits.net. EVERYTHING you do from here on out depends on one of those kits to give you accurate results. As for the SWG, once your water temp goes down, so will SWG usage - close to zero usage if any at all. Check-out what I've provided and get back with us if you have any questions. Lots of folks here happy to help.