Pool Closing

Swimming Pool Closing Service

1. Have your pool water professionally tested in our lab one week prior to closing. Be sure that the ph, total alkalinity and calcium hardness are all at acceptable levels. Be sure you have a free chlorine count between 1.0 – 3.0 ppm. Some at home test strips only measure total chlorine, which is not a true indicator of your real chlorine residual. A low pH reading over the winter can cause wrinkling and staining of the liner. As the temperature drops, water becomes more corrosive, requiring more calcium hardness.
2. If you are not requesting a vacuuming with your closing you should brush the walls and vacuum the pool to remove all debris prior to closing. 3. You should clean the filter thoroughly with Strip Kwik, Kleen It or SoftSwim Filter Cleaner before closing the pool. Sand filters should be done prior to the closing. DE filter grids should be removed from the filter tank and soaked in a large pail with one of the cleaning solutions. 4. Don’t forget…many pool sanitizers and oxidizers are corrosive. Do not store them near metal products such as handrails, ladders, bicycles, lawnmowers, etc. 5. Discard remaining chlorine tablets from baskets and chlorinators. If we are closing your pool, empty the tablets prior to closing. 6. If you have a vinyl liner pool you should have the water level at the normal operational level (middle of the skimmer). This level MUST be maintained all year round, whether the pool is open or closed. If you have a concrete pool with tile border your water level should be 2″ – 3″ below the tiles. 7. Have a good winter cover and cover pump. Rain water and snow can weigh a cover down and cause it to fall into the pool. Be sure to check your pool water level over the winter as well. Rain water and snow can cause water to be displaced from the pool without really noticing it. Low water level can cause liners to pop out of the bead, the liner to float or other damage to the pool liner, walls or surrounding concrete walkway. 8. If you have a solid safety cover with an automatic pump, be sure to unplug the pump when the hose is frozen or the pump is covered with ice and snow. Allowing the pump to remain pumping with a frozen hose can cause the motor to burn out. 9. If you have a regular mesh cover we recommend that you add a quart of Back Up Algaecide (Algae All 60 if you have an attached spa) every six weeks to pool to reduce the chance of algae formation. For Solid or SmartMesh Covers algaecide is not necessary but pool water must be balanced one week prior to closing. 10. If we are closing your pool be sure that all equipment (plugs, pump, cover, water bags) are left outside the pool area and the gate is open. A return call fee will be charged if your appointment needs to be rescheduled.