If you don’t plan on using your pool for months, it’s time to close it down. To extend the life of your pool and prevent any damage from occurring, there are several steps you must follow. At Royal Pool & Spa, we know that your pool is an investment, and we’d like to help you protect it. If you’re unsure of how to properly close your pool, or you simply don’t have the time, we’re just a phone call away. If, however, you’d like to attempt to close your pool on your own, we’ve put together this overview to help get you started.
Remove Accessories and Clean the Pool
The first thing you’ll need to do when closing your pool is to remove and store any accessories. These may include:
● Diving board
● Ladders and rails
● Safety ropes
● Skimmer baskets
● Return line eyeball fittings
After you’ve removed your pool accessories, you’ll need to clean the pool and test the water. To do this, take a water sample to your pool cleaning company to have it thoroughly checked. Alternatively, you can use test strips to determine the pH of your water. It should be between 7.4 and 7.6, alkalinity should be between 100 ppm and 150 ppm, and chlorine should be between 1 and three parts per million. If you use sanitizer, check to make sure it is at the appropriate level. After testing the water, you’ll need to vacuum the floor of the pool, brush the walls, and skim the water’s surface.
Lower the Water
To prevent water from getting inside your skimmer and causing damage, you’ll need to drain your pool partially. The amount of water you’ll need to remove depends on the type of cover you’ll be using. If you’re not sure how much to drain, consult with your local pool cleaning company for instructions. Alternatively, you can add a skimmer cover to ensure water won’t enter your skimmer. If you choose this route, you won’t have to lower your water level at all.
Add Chemicals and Shock Your Pool
When the water is balanced and your pool is clean, it’s time to add the chemicals that will maintain it. You can either purchase a kit with all of the necessary materials or get them individually. After you’ve added the chemicals and let them run through at least one cycle, it’s time to shock your pool. You should do this the night before you plan to close your pool to make sure contaminants are unable to flourish in the water.
Clean the Filter and Remove Plugs
Thoroughly clean your filter and bring it inside for prolonged storage. Along with your filter, you’ll need to remove the plugs from the pump(s), chlorinators, heater, filter, and lines. You can store these plugs inside your pump basket for safe keeping. Similarly, you’ll want to keep your pump, chlorinator, and any hoses in a safe storage spot where they won’t be subject to damage.
Blow Out and Plug the Lines
Using a powerful vacuum, blow out your pool’s plumbing lines to ensure no water remains inside them. If you are unsure of how to do this, contact your local pool maintenance service to have them do it for you. Blowing out the lines can be a bit tricky, so it’s best to have an experienced professional take care of the job. After you’ve finished removing water from the lines, it’s time to plug them up. You’ll need to use expansion plugs in your skimmer, return lines, and cleaner lines to prevent water from re-entering.
Put the Cover On
After you’ve finished the steps above, it’s time to put your pool to rest. If you use a pool pillow, inflate it and place it in the middle of the pool. You can use rope to secure it to each side so that it doesn’t move around under the cover. Finally, you’ll need to place the cover on top of the whole thing. You can secure it with cover clips or water bags to keep it in place. If you know you may receive significant precipitation during the period your pool is closed, consider installing a pump to remove any buildup on top of the cover.
Need Pool Maintenance Services in the Twin Cities?
If you’re closing your pool and don’t want to go through the hassle of doing it yourself, Royal Pool & Spa is here to help. We specialize in residential and commercial pool maintenance and have been serving the Twin Cities for 30 years. Our maintenance technicians have decades of combined experienced and are here to help you protect and maintain your investment. To learn more about our services or to schedule maintenance, contact us at 651-779-7606, or you can message us at Rps55155@gmail.com.