Can I Leave My Sand Filter Out All Winter

We've all been there. 1 24-hour interval, you're splashing around in your above ground pool, enjoying a seemingly countless summertime. The next, you lot're looking at an inbox full of dorsum-to-school emails. Temperatures driblet. Your weird neighbour, Rupert, starts wearing his "good" sweatpants on his forenoon run. At that place'south no doubt about it—summer's coming to a close. And if you live somewhere with cold winters (or just desire to close your pool for the flavor), you're already thinking about how to winterize your above ground pool.

Sure, it's a bummer when summer draws to a shut. And nobody'south lining up for extra chores. Merely if you know how to properly close your above ground pool, you tin become information technology done in a matter of hours and enjoy peace of mind while y'all await for swim season on the other side of the thaw.

Why Yous Need to Know How to Winterize an Higher up Ground Puddle

If you lot're fortunate plenty to live somewhere with mild winters, y'all might not have considered what a puddle needs to weather a frigid off flavor, and you might not shut it at all. But if you lot alive in a climate where winter comes to call with frost, snow, and deep cold, winterizing your puddle—preparing it for and protecting it against winter's ravages—is essential to keeping your pool in expert working order.

During the sunny days of summer, your puddle is wide open and a tempting target for insects, leaves, branches, and the occasional lost critter. That's no big deal during swim season, because yous're performing regular maintenance.

Only in the wintertime, your pool is unused, and information technology'south not so rewarding to grab a skimmer and head out in the blizzard to hunt for debris.

If you leave your puddle uncovered, y'all'll have serious work ahead of you come spring. In addition to having to make clean out your puddle, yous'll demand to rebalance the water, and possibly even deal with freeze damage.

Winterizing your pool minimizes your risk of contamination and cold damage to sensitive components. You lot'll save time, money, and frustration. Really, what more than incentive practice you need?

When to Winterize Your Higher up Basis Pool

Depending on where you live, your closing times will vary. But as a rule, if temperatures typically drop, and stay, below 65°F (18°C) during the off season, expect until the temperature falls below that point to close.

Why? Algae, like orchids or William Faulkner novels, need heat to thrive, and cold temps help keep your h2o clear of infestation. Plus, leaving your pool open until the mercury drops gives you plenty of time to clean, exam, and balance your pool before closing.

If you live in an area where the temperatures occasionally rise higher up 65°F (18°C) for a few days during the winter, you can have advantage of the warm spell to test and residual the water chemistry. These tweaks volition help you lot go along your water clean and clear until spring returns.

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How to Do It: But eleven Steps to Winterization

Frigid winters can be hard on just nigh any kind of pond pool. With the correct gear and grooming, you lot tin can soften the accident and make sure your above ground pool is ready to rock for years to come.

1. Get together Your Pool Closing Essentials

Before you winterize your above basis pool, make certain y'all've got the necessary supplies:

Winterizing chemical kit or pH increaser, Alkalinity increaser, Calcium hardness increaser, Pool shock, and Algaecide
Clarifying enzyme supplement (optional, but recommended)
Above footing pool skimmer cover
Expansion plugs
Return line plugs
Above ground pool wintertime encompass
Embrace winch and cable
Cover clips
Water bags (if you take a walk-effectually deck)
Pond pool antifreeze (if necessary)
Pool air pillow (a must-have!)

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Made from xvi gauge vinyl, this air pillow absorbs pressure caused by ice expansion, protecting the swimming puddle walls from damage during the winter months.

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04/12/2022 12:04 pm GMT

two. Clean Your Pool I Terminal Time

You wouldn't put a coffee cup abroad dingy (at least, we hope not). And so why practice it to your puddle? Head into the off season with a clear conscience. Before you winterize, clean your pool. Vacuum the unabridged pool, brush down the walls, and skim the surface.

A petty prep now will salvage yous from some potentially nasty surprises when you open your pool adjacent spring. A clean pool makes it much easier to properly remainder your h2o. Information technology as well ensures null is left behind to feed algae or mold that might develop during your pool'due south long winter's nap.

three. Test and Tweak Your Water for Winter

Open or airtight, knowing what's upwardly with your water chemistry is essential to keeping your pool in tip-superlative status. Accept a few minutes to examination your pool water before you begin closing.

You tin test the water yourself with test strips or a water testing kit for a little more accuracy. If you desire the virtually authentic results possible, yous tin can also take a water sample to your local pool store and have them test information technology for yous.

Your goal is a pH between 7.4 and 7.six, and alkalinity between 100 parts per meg (ppm) and 150 ppm, with 125 ppm being ideal. Also make certain the calcium hardness is between 175 ppm to 225 ppm, and that the chlorine is between 1 ppm and iii ppm. If yous apply a different sanitizer, just make certain it's at the proper level for any you're using. Since you won't be adjusting the water residue during the off season, information technology's better to exist on the high side of these ranges when you close your pool considering they'll naturally subtract over time.

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4. Add Winterizing Chemicals

Different Snow Miser or poor old Bucky Barnes, the chemicals yous add to your above ground pool during closing are there to help during the common cold season.

Why balance your water when winterizing an above ground puddle? Counterbalanced water is less likely to cause damage to your puddle liner and other components.

Use a Winter Closing Kit

If y'all're not in the mood to break out your lab coat and beakers, grab a winterizing chemical kit for your to a higher place basis pool. Follow the directions on the characterization, and y'all'll be adept to go.

Annotation: Some winter chemical kits don't require yous to run the filter when y'all add them. Double-check the directions and verify which type of kit y'all take. You might be able to skip a few steps when finishing your close.

Adjust the Alkalinity

Alkalinity is the measure of carbonates, bicarbonates, hydroxides and other alkaline substances in h2o. You can remember of it as pH's trusty sidekick in the battle for balanced h2o.

You tin can tweak your water's alkalinity in a couple of ways. Bump it upward by adding a base, such an alkalinity increaser or sodium bicarbonate to your pool water. Knock it down past adding muriatic acid.

Don't forget, the ideal range is for alkalinity is 100 to 150 ppm. And equally with alkalinity, a higher level is meliorate when yous're winterizing. And always call up to adjust alkalinity beforepH.

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Make Sure the pH is Perfect

Your pool's pH level is a measure of how acidic or basic the water is. The lower the level, the more than acidic the h2o is. The higher it is, the more bones the water is.

If your water is acidic, add a base to lower the acidity. If your water'southward also bones, add a pH increaser to bring information technology into proper rest.

Remember, y'all're shooting for a pH in the range of 7.iv to 7.half-dozen. And equally with alkalinity, a college level is better when you're winterizing.

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This is a proven mode to make the h2o less acidic when swimming in pools. This chemic helps maintain the correct level of pH.

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Zero in on calcium hardness

A frozen pool might exist the ultimate in "hard h2o," simply it'southward calcium hardness nosotros're worried nigh. Hard water deposits calcium in your pool and plumbing, forming an cruddy, crusty build-up over time.

Conversely, if your water is too soft, information technology volition try to describe the calcium information technology needs from inside the pool, which tin damage tiled pools in the process past feasting on the plaster and grout. Too-soft water can also corrode metallic.

Plaster loss might non be a business for to a higher place ground pools with vinyl liners, but avoiding metal harm definitely is.

If your water'south too hard, yous can purchase chemicals to lower the hardness, or but dilute your pool water with fresh water that isn't hard. Water too soft? You can boost the level past adding a calcium hardness increaser or uncomplicated calcium chloride.

The platonic calcium hardness range is 175 ppm to 225 ppm, or 200 ppm to 275 ppm if yous accept a physical or plaster pool.

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Adding calcium hardness to your pool water will protect and extend the life of your pool walls including vinyl, fiberglass, and concrete.

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Stupor The Puddle Before You Shut

Sure, you could whisper a nighttime surreptitious into the filter or perform the lambada, merely that'south not the kind of shock yous're later. Add together pool shock to power up your sanitizer for the winter. Consult the directions for each to brand sure yous're adding the right amount for your pool's capacity.

Since you're endmost the pool, y'all can use a fast-dissolving daze before you put the comprehend on instead of using a typical calcium hypochlorite daze that takes anywhere from eight to 24 hours to piece of work.

Tip: If you'd rather utilise regular daze, just brand sure you add it to the pool the night earlier you lot want to close it so the daze has time to work its magic.

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Use the entire contents of the bag when opened. If any granules settle to the lesser of the pool use castor to disperse. Add the right dosage of this production during evening hours while the filter pump is running.

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Add a Dash of Winter Algaecide

While it's completely optional, you tin can add an algicide to your pool just earlier closing it to keep algae from invading over the winter. Follow the directions on the back of the bundle for the proper dose (normally the same dose recommended when starting the pool for the first time).

You can also add a clarifying enzyme treatment to further reduce algae growth, liner stains, and contaminant build-up. This comes in either a bottle or a convenient ball or "pill" y'all puncture and add to the water, where they release their payload all winter to help you greet spring with a articulate pool.

If you've struggled with a green, murky pool at opening in the by, or want to avoid 1 in the futurity, these little supplements can help immensely.

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5. Clear and Shop the Lines

Just like the plumbing in your firm, your pool lines tin can be damaged by ice expansion. Even if winters are mild in your area, immigration, removing, and storing the lines will make for easier setup next spring.

Just disconnect the lines, allow all the h2o to run out, allow them air dry, and then shop them in a dry place out of direct sunlight. Letting them dry is crucial unless you desire to notice mold in them adjacent flavor.

6. Protect Your Skimmer

You take a couple of options when you're winterizing your skimmer. The first step is to remove the skimmer handbasket and shop information technology somewhere safe and dry for the winter.

Y'all can then decide whether y'all'd like to cover your skimmer for the season or not. A winter skimmer cover is a plate that covers the entire skimmer, sealing out the elements. If y'all use one of these, you won't have to drain your pool beneath the skimmer line, saving you a fleck of time and hassle.

If you choose not to cover your skimmer, keep an center on your skimmer during the winter to make sure water can bleed out if it rains. Keep the bottom of the skimmer free and clear—don't plug information technology up.

Note: If h2o accumulates in your skimmer over the winter and so freezes, the expanding ice cause your skimmer to crack. Also, if the snowfall or water load is also great, the weight could compromise your skimmer wall. If you become a heapin' helpin' of precipitation during the winter, a skimmer cover tin salvage you large headaches down the road.

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We recommend using a skimmer plate when winterizing your puddle to prevent water from entering your plastic skimmer, freezing, and nifty. This is a Tupperware-like cover that's easy to take on and off when needed.

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04/12/2022 06:03 pm GMT

7. Winterize The Filter and Pump

One of the lesser pool closing concerns is packing abroad the filter and pump. Information technology's a pretty straightforward process.

The Pump

Completely remove all drain plugs to drain and remove the puddle pump, chlorinator (if yous have one), and all the hoses. Store all the drain plugs (including the ones from the filter) in the pump basket so that you keep them all together and yous won't take to go hunting for them in the spring. Go on the pump, chlorinator, and hoses indoors to prolong their lives.

The Filter

The method you use for winterizing your above ground puddle volition depend on which type of filter you have.

Sand: Set your multiport valve to "Winterize," and remove the drain plug at the bottom to allow the filter to drain completely. If your multiport valve has a bleeder valve and a sight drinking glass, remove those besides, and shop them in the pump basket for piece of cake retrieval next season.

Bring your filter indoors for winter storage. If the weight of the sand makes this too hard, yous can go out it outside if you remove all the drain plugs. With the plugs removed, freezing h2o or condensation that builds upwardly inside the filter tank won't crack it.

Diatomaceous World (D.East.): Drain information technology, then rinse off the grids (or fingers) with a hose to remove backlog D.E. Leave the valves open.

Cartridge Bleed information technology, then rinse off the cartridge with a hose. Exit the valves open up, and store the cartridge indoors for the winter.

Annotation: Moving your hardware indoors after yous disconnect it really is the all-time option. Information technology extends your gear's useful life and protects it from damage. Protect your investment and bring your filter, pump, chlorinator, heater, and any other equipment in from the cold.

If You lot Have a Table salt Water Puddle …

If your pool uses a table salt water arrangement, switch the chlorine generator to the "winter" setting, if information technology has ane. If information technology doesn't, most chlorine generators have a removable electrolytic cell you can access by unscrewing the end caps. Remove the cell, or your entire salt system if you lot adopt, and store it within for the winter.

Note: Take a few moments to make clean the cell before storing. It'll prolong its life and help reduce the chance of hardware problems when it's time to reopen your pool.

8. Make clean and Stash Your Accessories

When you're closing your pool for the wintertime, don't overlook your above ground puddle ladder, toys, and any other accessories you may accept. Leaving them in the pool can harm the items or, even worse, your pool. They could puncture the lining or start to rust. Corroded metal can contaminate your h2o and cause serious hardware problems.

Gather up all your accessories, and then give them a proficient cleaning with a multi-purpose pool surface cleaner, and let them dry. Then store them in a make clean, dry out place, away from direct sunlight, until spring.

ix. Lower the Pool Water (If Necessary)

Do you need to drain any h2o when winterizing an to a higher place ground puddle? The respond hinges on how you lot protect your skimmer during the winter. If you're concerned about freezing and cracking, and don't use a wintertime skimmer cover plate, so yous should bleed the water level below the skimmer and returns.

If y'all practise utilise a winter skimmer plate, simply remove the hose from your skimmer so information technology can bleed properly, and install the plate, and you won't have to drain your puddle. Keeping the water level at its normal level is better for your winter cover.

How? If y'all take a solid cover, draining the water beneath the render lines tin can put added pressure on your cover when pelting water and snowfall collect on meridian. You'll demand to keep draining water off the cover with a pump or siphon to protect it from impairment.

Important: Never bleed an in a higher place ground pool completely when winterizing. Your vinyl liner tin dry out out, shortening its life considerably.

10. Install the Pool Pillow

Knowing how to close an to a higher place ground pool means mastering the mystical art of the inflatable. In cold climates, placing a pool air pillow—also known as an water ice compensator because it compensates for the pressure level of the snow and ice on tiptop of the cover—nether the cover protects the sides of the encompass and the walls of your puddle from impairment.

Even if you don't live in a cold climate merely yous close and embrace your pool, you can utilize an air pillow to keep water and debris off to the side of the pool for an easy spring clean-upward.

The secret to winterizing success lies in inflating the air pillow to around 50% or sixty% of its capacity. This allows the pillow to compress without immediately popping after the beginning substantial snowfall.

Blow up the air pillow and place it in the center of the pool. You can utilise a thin rope to secure information technology to either side of the puddle and then that it stays in the eye, or utilise an accessory designed to centre your pillow automatically. Some pillows too come with built-in grommets to permit you to secure them on all 4 corners for easy centering.

Note: While you don't absolutely demand the pillow to stay centered all winter, doing so protects your pool cover and walls from ice more than effectively.

You tin can prolong the life of your puddle pillows by sealing the seams and valves with duct tape once you lot've inflated the pillows. This will reduce air loss due to leaks and bolster the pillows' strength.

11. Install the Pool Embrace

Almost done! Place the pool cover over your pool—and the air pillow—and secure information technology by using the cable and winch, or a combination of winter cover clips and a cable.

Sometimes, more than really is more. A combination of winter cover clips and a cablevision and winch will ensure a snug fit and give y'all greater peace of listen. If your pool has a walk-around deck, you can besides add water numberless to help secure your cover.

Don't use bricks, stones, devious elephants, or anything else that might harm your liner if information technology were to fall into the pool.

Throughout the winter, keep an eye on your cover and do your best to keep information technology dry. Nosotros recommend buying an above ground puddle cover pump to help remove backlog water and keep your pool cover in adept shape.

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Your Winterizing Worries are a Thing of the Past

Your pool is cleaner than Mr. Monk'due south kitchen. Your water is balanced, pristine, and germ-free. Your hardware is safe, dry, and secure. And your puddle is snuggled upwardly with a pillow and blankie. Well, y'know, kinda. Congratulations, grasshopper—the arcane secrets of how to winterize an above ground puddle are at present yours to control.

There'll exist many more years of fun in the dominicus ahead. But for at present, you lot tin can rest easy, knowing your pool is prepared for even the worst winter can throw at it.

Happy Closing!

Matt Giovanisci is the founder of Swim Academy® and has been in the pool and spa industry since 1995. Since and then, his mission is to make pool and hot tub intendance easy for everyone. And each year, he continues to help more people with water chemistry, cleaning, and troubleshooting.

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