Pool Closing

Ensure a Smooth Pool Closing with These Essential Tips

Prepare your pool for winter by testing water and maintaining proper chemical levels. Clean and vacuum the pool, and ensure filters are thoroughly cleaned. Store pool chemicals away from metal items and remove chlorine tablets before closing. Maintain water levels, invest in quality covers, and follow specific care instructions for different cover types to prevent damage.

Schedule Pool Closing

1. Professional Water Testing: Get your pool water tested in our lab one week before closing. Ensure pH, total alkalinity, and calcium hardness are at optimal levels, and maintain free chlorine between 1.0 – 3.0 ppm. At-home test strips might not provide an accurate chlorine residual reading. Remember, low pH during winter can wrinkle and stain your liner, and colder water needs more calcium hardness to prevent corrosion.

2. Pre-Close Cleaning: If you're not scheduling a professional vacuuming, thoroughly brush and vacuum your pool to remove all debris before closing.

3. Filter Maintenance: We recommend scheduling a sand or DE filter cleaning before closing.

4. Safe Storage: Store pool sanitizers and oxidizers away from metal items like handrails, ladders, and lawn equipment to prevent corrosion.

5. Chlorine Tablet Disposal: Discard remaining chlorine tablets from baskets and chlorinators before we close your pool.

6. Water Level Management:

Vinyl Liner Pools: Maintain water at the normal operational level (middle of the skimmer) year-round.
Concrete Pools: Keep the water level 2-3 inches below the tile border.

7. Winter Cover and Pump Care: Use a good winter cover and cover pump. Monitor water levels as rain and snow can displace water, potentially damaging the liner or pool structure.

8. Safety Cover Precautions: For solid safety covers with automatic pumps, unplug the pump if the hose is frozen or covered with ice to avoid motor burnout.

9. Algaecide Use:

Mesh Covers: Add a quart of Back Up Algaecide every six weeks to prevent algae.
Solid or SmartMesh Covers: Balance the pool water one week before closing

10. Preparation for Professional Closing: Ensure all equipment (plugs, pump, cover, water bags) is accessible, and the gate is open to avoid rescheduling fees.