We're slowly getting things organized to close our pool. I'm new at this and need hand holding. I read pool school quite a few times ("Closing (winterizing) your above ground pool") but still feel like I need a little help with our specifics.
I vacuumed and cleaned my pool thoroughly today and then shocked it to FC of 15. Thanks to last weeks rainfall, I also backwashed as low as I could let my water level go without compromising skimmer function.
We ran out of time and put on the cover temporarily to keep leaves and dirt out of the pool.
So........On Friday or Monday we plan on finishing. This is where I need hand holding.
a) Filter. turn off.
b)Drain pool....I've read 3", dad says 3", and pool school says 6" below openings....but with a cover is 3" okay? What's the easiest way to drain the pool? I don't have any extra pumps or equipment. I do remember a few time my vaccuum causing a siphon effect when removing it but can't exactly remember how.
c) Skimmer plugs Disconnect plumbing. Leave skimmer opening open? Skimmer will be covered by the cover so nothing should get in there right?
d) polyquat algaecide optional...what do you northern pool owners do? I haven't had any algae problems yet.
e)Solar panels (Enersol) are year round outdoor quality so they only need to have the caps taken off and drained. We have alot of pipe coming down from our roof, under our shed, down a slope and runs along our fence. Do we just leave the end of the pipe open all winter? I don't know what to do here as obviously this plumbing will stay out year round.
f)Solar blanket. clean, dry and store.....I was planning once it's dry to reroll it on the reel, cover with vapor barrier/plastic and store on ground beside pool. Is this wise? I don't have a garage to store my reel.
g)Sand filter. Remove pressure guage. Drain the filter by removing drain plug and putting filter to "winterize", check to make sure nothing is blocking drainage. What then? Do I put the drain plugs back on or leave them off? Do I remove any part of the sand filter to store indoors? Secure large plastic bag over filter.
h)Pump. disconnect suction and return line to filter, drain, clean strainer and store in basement. I'm assuming at this point there should be no piping connected to my pool right?
i) Winter cover. Secure back on.
Am I missing any steps? Any tips?
Thankyou so much everyone.
I vacuumed and cleaned my pool thoroughly today and then shocked it to FC of 15. Thanks to last weeks rainfall, I also backwashed as low as I could let my water level go without compromising skimmer function.
We ran out of time and put on the cover temporarily to keep leaves and dirt out of the pool.
So........On Friday or Monday we plan on finishing. This is where I need hand holding.
a) Filter. turn off.
b)Drain pool....I've read 3", dad says 3", and pool school says 6" below openings....but with a cover is 3" okay? What's the easiest way to drain the pool? I don't have any extra pumps or equipment. I do remember a few time my vaccuum causing a siphon effect when removing it but can't exactly remember how.
c) Skimmer plugs Disconnect plumbing. Leave skimmer opening open? Skimmer will be covered by the cover so nothing should get in there right?
d) polyquat algaecide optional...what do you northern pool owners do? I haven't had any algae problems yet.
e)Solar panels (Enersol) are year round outdoor quality so they only need to have the caps taken off and drained. We have alot of pipe coming down from our roof, under our shed, down a slope and runs along our fence. Do we just leave the end of the pipe open all winter? I don't know what to do here as obviously this plumbing will stay out year round.
f)Solar blanket. clean, dry and store.....I was planning once it's dry to reroll it on the reel, cover with vapor barrier/plastic and store on ground beside pool. Is this wise? I don't have a garage to store my reel.
g)Sand filter. Remove pressure guage. Drain the filter by removing drain plug and putting filter to "winterize", check to make sure nothing is blocking drainage. What then? Do I put the drain plugs back on or leave them off? Do I remove any part of the sand filter to store indoors? Secure large plastic bag over filter.
h)Pump. disconnect suction and return line to filter, drain, clean strainer and store in basement. I'm assuming at this point there should be no piping connected to my pool right?
i) Winter cover. Secure back on.
Am I missing any steps? Any tips?
Thankyou so much everyone.