Aqua Pools & Spas, Sarnia, Ontario, Pool Winterizing

WINTERIZING YOUR POOL

HERE ARE THE STEPS YOU NEED TO FOLLOW TO CLOSE YOUR POOL FOR THE WINTER.

Vacuum the pool.
Sand filters should be back washed for at least 20 minutes so that the sand bed is perfectly clean.
Drain or pump the pool water level below the inlet fittings. Drain the water from the filter tank and all vulnerable piping. Check that the dial valve on a sand filter is set to WINTERIZE, this will speed the draining process by allowing air to enter the tank.
Drain the FILTER PUMP. Store the pump and motor indoors, or protect them from the elements and extreme temperatures.
Remove the covers and empty the HAIR AND LINT STRAINER AND CHEMICAL FEED POTS. Blow out the return lines & skimmer lines with industrial vac cleaner.
Remove the orifice or directional balls from the inlet fittings, and use pipe plugs or rubber expansion plugs to make these wall openings watertight.
Remove and store the strainer basket and valve plate from the skimmer(s). Plug the wall fitting of the equalizer line (where used). Drain, bail, or pump as much water as possible from the skimmer body and piping.
Pour a half gallon of anti-freeze directly into the skimmer.
Underwater Lights. Take from its niche and store it in a box on deck, or lower it carefully below water level to the extent of its cord where the water will not freeze.
Remove and store indoors such items as ladders, stair rails, and diving boards. Wedge and flange anchors stuff with foam rope & anti-freeze. Store diving boards on a flat, level surface in a dry place - this precaution will prevent cracks and warping. Never lean a diving board against a wall. Wrap slides in black vinyl sheeting.
Use petroleum jelly, or other suitable rust preventative to coat any unpainted or unprotected metal parts subject to corrosion. ( D. B. Bolts )

HEATERS:
GAS FIRED:

Close the main gas valve, drain the heater, remove the safety pressure switch and store it indoors so that it cannot be damaged by frost.

HEATERS (Cont'd):
OIL FIRED:

Open the main disconnect switch and remove the fuses: close the valve in the oil supply line; drain the heater; protect the burner and motor from the elements and extreme temperatures.

ELECTRIC:

Open the main disconnect switch and remove the fuses; drain the heater.

HEAT EXCHANGER:

Close the valves to all vulnerable pipes, and drain both primary and secondary circuits.
After draining the heater, replace the plugs if the headers are of cast iron or steel. This precaution will prevent deterioration of the ferrous threads. If the heater has pockets which will not drain completely, pour in about a quart of anti-freeze, but remember to flush it out before putting the heater back into service. Use a tarpaulin or plastic sheet to protect an outdoor heater from the elements and extreme temperatures. Drain an indoor heater if there is any risk of freezing by outside air, such as that drawn down the stack by the combustion draft of adjacent furnaces or boilers.

CONCRETE POOLS:

With all piping drained and pool openings plugged, fill the pool to about two feet below the normal level. The weight of water will reduce the chances of the pool floating out of the ground in the event of excessive ground water after the spring thaw or heavy rain. a series of logs, 6 - 8 inches in diameter, is sometimes installed around the pool to relieve pressure from the ice which forms before the ground freezes. This practice is no longer general, but if used, logs should be anchored to prevent them from damaging the pool walls. A series of 1/2 gallon and q gallon Poly containers weighted with sand may be used.

For safety plus the protection of vinyl liners and concrete pool finishes, we highly recommend a pool cover for the winter months. Before covering the pool, sprinkle in about five pounds of granular chlorine on pools up to 16 x 32. For pools up to 20 x 40 add seven pounds of chlorine. This shock treatment alone with algaecide will slow up the algae growth over the winter months. Use liquid chlorine preferably.

NOTE: With vinyl pools, after draining water level below return fittings and plugging the pipes, bring the water level back up 4 inches below the bottom of the skimmer opening, ensure while draining that the waist water is not allowed to contact around the outside of the pool walls. Make sure you remove the pressure gauges from the filter and store indoors.

Store test kits and chemicals in a warm place. Re-order O.T.O. and PHENOL RED in the spring.

NOTE: IF PUMP AND FILTER DO NOT HAVE DRAIN PLUG S, CALL A SERVICE COMPANY OR REMOVE ENTIRE UNIT AND STORE IN A WARM PLACE.