In summer a pool is cool and fun, but how can you make the pool winterproof so that you can enjoy it for the next year?
time
The very first question should be about the right time to winterize the pool. When you decide to end your pool season is ultimately up to you. The only important thing is that you set the foundations for wintering before the first frost. Because even temporary sub-zero temperatures can cause exactly the damage that you want to avoid with a winterized pool.
cleaning
First and foremost is cleaning your pool. Because dirt can stubbornly settle in over the winter. As a result, surfaces can hardly be cleaned in the coming spring. In addition, soiling leads to faster aging and even damage to material and technology. Therefore, include the following cleaning work in your preparations for winter:
- Fish off leaves and other coarse particles
- Degrease and clean stainless steel surfaces (railings, steps, etc.) and remove rust
- Clean pool walls with cleaner and a broom / pool sponge
- If available: have the pool robot run through again
- Put the filter system back into operation for water purification
- Thoroughly backwash the sand filter and remove dirt
ATTENTION: Pay attention to the correct sequence of cleaning work. Cleaning the pool walls can, for example, bring dirt back into the water. Stainless steel cleaners, on the other hand, can contaminate pool liner. So follow the
specified sequence of cleaning work.Pool water
Once the cleaning is done, you can now take care of the pool water. In general, a pool is usually winterized with water. However, you should adjust the parameters of the water for wintering and also change the water level to the circumstances.
TIP: First adjust the water quality and then lower the water level. You will then use up a small amount of pool chemicals for later drained pool water. However, you can fully use the pool technology to change the water quality.
Water chemistry
In order to optimally overwinter, your pool water has different parameters than in summer operation. On the one hand, the exposure to skin oil, sunscreen, etc. not available anymore. On the other hand, the added chemicals decompose much more slowly at lower temperatures and in the absence of solar radiation. Finally, fewer chemicals also mean less stress on the pool components. The ideal water values for winter are as follows:
- pH between 7.0 and 7.2
- Chlorine content maximum 0.5 mg / l
Adjust the values in the same way as you do in summer. However, if there is too little chlorine, avoid shock chlorination by all means! Because in winter the initial peak value only decreases slowly. In addition, chlorine residues that are not completely dissolved can cause damage to the pool liner within a short period of time.
Water level
Well stands
the adjustment of the water level. Proceed as follows:- Ideally, the water level should be as high as possible to protect the pool walls from the weather and dirt
But:
- Lower the water level to 10 centimeters below the skimmer (then winter plug on inlet nozzles)
- Or: without winter plug, lowering to below the inlet nozzle
To lower the water level, you can either use a conventional submersible pump or switch your sand filter system to "backwash". To do this, connect a suction hose to your skimmer and drain the water through the filter system. With this procedure you also have the advantage that your sand filter will be cleaned again before winter.
technology
Once all the basics have been laid by cleaning and adjusting the water level, turn to technology. Your filter system has already been backwashed during cleaning and is therefore already clean. The pipes were also freed of dirt through the backwashing process and the general water circulation. By lowering the water level, the inlets and outlets are exposed and the pipes run empty. Now check the existing access to the water-bearing technology and remove any remaining water with a sponge or water suction device. Especially in the sand filter, standing water can freeze at sub-zero temperatures and burst the filter container. If you have a splash water tank, empty this too. Finally, all technical components should be clean and empty. Regardless of whether pipes are exposed or possibly still below the water level, they should always be closed with winter stoppers. This will prevent dirt or even animals looking for winter quarters from entering.
Dismantling and covering
Finally, the general remainder of the work follows, with which you prepare the basis for successful wintering:
- Components that are not winter-proof (e.g. B. mobile pumps, countercurrent systems etc.) if necessary dismantle and store frost-proof
- Remove and store pool ladders and other mobile components
- Attach ice pressure pads to reduce the ice pressure when the pool water is freezing or place them in the middle of the pool
- Completely cover the basin to avoid the ingress of dirt
Control instead of trust
Though modern
Pool covers are very durable these days, so you should not leave your pool completely unattended. Wind, rain, ice and snow can cause covers to slip, be damaged or "just" sink into the pool water. The consequences are dirt in the pool or a changed water level. Some Pool cover is inflatable: These are cheap to buy and reliable, but can also "air" with higher temperature fluctuations let ", i.e. at lower temperatures air contracts and the cover may no longer be correctly on. Do a regular, e.g. B. weekly check-ups as routine. Then spring can come without any nasty surprises.frequently asked Questions
The first frost has arrived and I haven't winterized my pool yet. What should I do?
If your swimming pool is covered with a sheet of ice, wait for it to clear. Otherwise ice can get into the technology and cause damage there. You can support the thawing process by heating up the pool, for example by adding tap water to well above 0 degrees Celsius.
During a check, I noticed that the water level in the pool had risen significantly because the cover had slipped. How do I act?
First of all, use a submersible pump to lower the level back to the correct level. Remove the winter plugs on the pipes to drain any water that may have entered. Then close the plugs again and repair the pool cover. If you notice leaves, branches or other coarse debris in the pool, fish them off as well.
The sand in the sand filter has already been used up. Should I change it before or after hibernation?
When you swap the sand depends on your preferences. In favor of an exchange after the winter, however, the fact that possible problems at the pool could pollute the fresh sand over the winter half-year.
In a nutshell
- Thorough cleaning helps prevent damage
- Adjusted water values protect pool liner from unnecessary stress
- A lowered water level protects the pool walls and the technology alike
- All non-winter-proof components should be dismantled and stored
- Covers and regular checks keep them in optimal condition over the cold season
