First time opening

[raysaint]

We have ALL the patience in the world for folks genuinely trying to lean. Make us pause/rewind ANYTIME.

Even a few days before close is fine, providing you are sure your FC was well above minimum between A and B.

Loss is loss, whether you lose 2 ppm at 12 FC or 5 FC. You're just taking the UV from the sun out of the equation. If you lose FC overnight, it's organic. (Algae).


Then the rec is to close at half SLAM when using algecide. They consume each other leaving you with less of each so you don't want to eat up too much of the algecide. Ensure it's polyquat60 so it's copper free.

All good info. My idea today was to put my leaf net on the pool for the next 3 weeks, until close. Not sure if wet leaves laying on the net will cause any bits of algae, so I'll definitely do my OCLT a few days ahead of close, in case correction is needed. And I vacuum on closing day.
Last year for close, I did the full slam amount, and whole bottle of polyquat, even tho the dose should have been about half bottle for my water volume. So the extra polyquat was probably good, in that, if chlorine ate up some of it, there was sufficient polyquat left to do it's job. My water this spring was crystal clear.
Doing half the slam amount at close makes me a bit nervous.

 

[Newdude]

Doing half the slam amount at close makes me a bit nervous.

The two choices are full SLAM, or half SLAM and PQ. The PQ theoretically lasts longer than the FC, protecting you on the back end. Closing at full SLAM (no PQ, once cool enough) theoretically lasts until it's cold-cold, then opening before it warms up again (early) mitigates the spring time concern.

Not sure if wet leaves laying on the net will cause any bits of algae,

In my sample size of exactly *1* living on a heavily treed acre, nothing fresh ever mattered, even the dead/brown leaves that dropped in the fall. Some days it was less like a pool and more tea like.

Given months to fester, like whatever blew in over the winter, then it mattered and needed to be removed asap in the spring.

so I'll definitely do my OCLT a few days ahead of close,

Doing so ensures you're putting it to bed right.

 

[raysaint]

So I guess now it's just keep the water balanced for the next 3 weeks, as normal, and be ready for the few days of closing process.

 

[raysaint]

Well, it's closing time, this Thursday or weekend. Tested yesterday, FC was 7.4, CYA still 50, PH a good 8.0 (added a bit of acid)
Doing it (the cover) myself this year. Just gotta read how far down below the skimmer to drain water.
Closing Steps: add chemicals the night before for good circulation; next morning, remove leaf net; remove big leaves and full vacuum; drain some water; disconnect equipment/piping; put cover on. C'est la vie.
Anything else? or tips?

 

[PoolStored]

Closing (Winterizing) Your Above Ground Pool

Closing an above ground pool at season’s end should be a fast and worry-free process. Learn the basics of above ground pool winterization in easy steps.

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Newdude]

Above grounds are SO much easier as you can waltz up to the plumbing, pick it up and dump it out.

Drain 2 inches below the skimmer. Your choice if you leave the skimmer open and add a drain path for anything that drips out, or gizzmo/noodle the skimmer.

 

[raysaint]

Above grounds are SO much easier as you can waltz up to the plumbing, pick it up and dump it out.

Drain 2 inches below the skimmer. Your choice if you leave the skimmer open and add a drain path for anything that drips out, or gizzmo/noodle the skimmer.

Article linked above says 6" below skimmer?
Last year the pool store, and many others store comments, left the skimmer open. That way as the cover maybe presses down on the water and water rises, it can drain out of the first short section of pipes that comes out of the pool.
The pic shows last year's closing (with my stool in the way.)
Oh, and my 9" x 24" rubber pool mat (which has bumps on the bottom to allow water to flow under it) may stay in the pool, too cold to get in and get it. I tried various ways to grab hold of it but no luck. I wouldn't think it'll cause any problem?

 

[Newdude]

The pic shows last year's closing

Awesome. You can remove 95% of the equipment/plumbing and there's nothing to blow. That makes emptying it much easier. Remove it all and dump the pipes and pull the equipment drains.

Article linked above says 6" below skimmer?

It really depends on the lowest opening if the return is slightly below the skimmer. A couple inches is all you need, 6 is fine too.

I'd plug the return but leave the skimmer open, Macguyvering an exit path for any mid season spillage. You don't want it splashing and eroding the bottom track area.

Or plug the skimmer too and load it up with pool noodles. I like to stuff them through the mouth because the hold themselves in place. When using them vertical like a gizzmo, they need fiddling with occasional as they'll want to float when it fills with pool/rain water.

Or use an aquadoor to seal the skimmer mouth and you don't need to lower the water.
Lots of ways to skin this cat and everybody has their way.

Oh, and my 9" x 24" rubber pool mat

Grab it with the leaf net. It probably won't hurt anything but if it's easy enough to remove, why not ?

 

[raysaint]

Awesome. You can remove 95% of the equipment/plumbing and there's nothing to blow. That makes emptying it much easier. Remove it all and dump the pipes and pull the equipment drains.

It really depends on the lowest opening if the return is slightly below the skimmer. A couple inches is all you need, 6 is fine too.

I'd plug the return but leave the skimmer open, Macguyvering an exit path for any mid season spillage. You don't want it splashing and eroding the bottom track area.

Or plug the skimmer too and load it up with pool noodles. I like to stuff them through the mouth because the hold themselves in place. When using them vertical like a gizzmo, they need fiddling with occasional as they'll want to float when it fills with pool/rain water.

Or use an aquadoor to seal the skimmer mouth and you don't need to lower the water.
Lots of ways to skin this cat and everybody has their way.

Grab it with the leaf net. It probably won't hurt anything but if it's easy enough to remove, why not ?

I didn't pull anything last year (equipment), just let it dry out and put it indoors. My father puts antifreeze in his just to get the benefit of lubing all the interior seals. I might consider.
I'm gonna put the cartridge filter in a bucket of TSP/water, for a deep clean before storage, what is the ratio?
I have patio slabs below the skimmer & return pipe, so winter water doesn't splash on my base or bottom track. Actually have slabs around the whole base, to prevent erosion (pics attached, last winter, & this summer.) Why plug the return?
tried the leaf net, can't get under the mat. I'll try again from a different angle maybe.

 

[Newdude]

My father puts antifreeze in his just to get the benefit of lubing all the interior seals. I might consider.

I've never heard of this and once completely dry and indoors, I never saw a need.

I'm gonna put the cartridge filter in a bucket of TSP/water, for a deep clean before storage, what is the ratio?

Section 3.2. The rest of it is good stuff too

What_is_the_procedure_to_clean_my_cartridge.3F

I have patio slabs below the skimmer & return pipe, so winter water doesn't splash on my base or bottom track.

Ok GREAT. Just making sure it was a thought if it hadnt been.

Why plug the return?

Personal preference. It looks a hair lower than the skimmer, which if you drain the 6 inches won't matter either way.

 

[Mdragger88]

I plug my top return as it is below my skimmer level so I have a little more wiggle room with cover accumulation/ pool water level before it starts draining out
my pool is buried & I don’t want it to drain too far.

 

[raysaint]

I've never heard of this and once completely dry and indoors, I never saw a need.

Section 3.2. The rest of it is good stuff too

What_is_the_procedure_to_clean_my_cartridge.3F


Ok GREAT. Just making sure it was a thought if it hadnt been.

Personal preference. It looks a hair lower than the skimmer, which if you drain the 6 inches won't matter either way.

So the seals inside the pump don't need lubing? maybe just with certain brands. I'll check my manual.
I know I gotta pry the rubber rings out of the pump and filter lids and lube them; that'll be done in the spring.

 

[Newdude]

So the seals inside the pump don't need lubing? maybe just with certain brands

I don't recall any needing regular maintenance but let's check with @Jimrahbe and @JamesW.

Antifreeze isn't lube either way though, and might benefit the seals by keeping them wet or then again it may speed them dry rotting being more or less alcohol. I'm in to learn here with you.

I know I gotta pry the rubber rings out of the pump and filter lids and lube them; that'll be done in the spring.

Yes. Any and all O-rings including the big ones like the pump lid gasket or the hula hoop between the filter lids benefit from yearly lubing.

 

[raysaint]

I looked it up and Hayward pumps, like my Turbo Flo, are self lubricating; bearings and seals need no lube.

 

[raysaint]

Well, it's done. Took forever to empty the amount of water, with a pool cover pump. Took it down about 4" below the skimmer. Cover is on and leaf net too; gotta wait for the maple to drop it's leaves.
Learned something while vacuuming; had about half the pool done and then started losing suction and the pump was loud, not getting enough water flow. Looked in the skimmer and the sock was black with sediment and fine particles. So now I know to change the sock halfway thru to get the best suction. Although, the pool bottom was probably extra dirty because of leaf debris.

 

[Newdude]

Personally I wouldn't use a skimmer sock / hair net when vacuuming, especially at the end of the season when I needed to clean the carts after anyways.

I had a SVRS pump at the old place and i made me stop mid job everytime, sometimes several times. Stopping for *anything* quickly became a pet peeve.

 

[raysaint]

Personally I wouldn't use a skimmer sock / hair net when vacuuming, especially at the end of the season when I needed to clean the carts after anyways.

I had a SVRS pump at the old place and i made me stop mid job everytime, sometimes several times. Stopping for *anything* quickly became a pet peeve.

But all the dirt in the sock would have gone into the pump, and filter. Even tho it travels thru to the skimmer, some will remain in the pump in my thinking.
I like keeping the pump innards as clean as possible, why not trap the dirt in the skimmer sock.
And typically thru the swim season, there's not that much dirt that the sock gets plugged; just happened at season end, probably leaf debris.

 

[Newdude]

I like keeping the pump innards as clean as possible,

You're overthinking it.

why not trap the dirt in the skimmer sock

At closing, when we've all slacked on cleaning recently with cool water (because we're friends so let's be honest ) it'll be a heavier load to vac out, and the skimmer sock poses more risk reducing flow then letting the filter catch the fine debris.

You should clean your carts with closing anyway, so it's not like it adds an extra one.

 

[Mdragger88]

I’ve never really considered how lucky I am that I have two returns- one up high & one about a foot from the floor so when i am done being able to use the pool pump to drain I just disconnect & let the bottom return flow to drain the rest if I want. I must be careful or I could drain the whole pool though!
My top return is a couple inches or so below my skimmer level so usually just opening that one & walking away is sufficient for me as it will stop at the right level.
I have to plug the bottom one from the outside anyway and its in contact with the water all winter so I figure there’s no need to drain below the top one either. Just so long as i keep water out of the skimmer

 

[raysaint]

Anybody familiar with this type of vacuum? Looks interesting.

HHC-221 — Inopool

www.inopoolus.com