As the cold winter months arrive, it’s time to consider closing your pool as the temperatures cool. A key aspect of winterizing your pool is adding the right chemicals to maintain water quality and prevent damage to your pool structure and equipment. If you’re considering a pool closure, your main priority is what Pool Chemicals are needed to help complete the job.
Here’s a comprehensive guide on what chemicals to use when closing your pool:
Maintaining Pool Chemical Balance
Properly balanced water helps protect your pool and prevent the growth of algae, bacteria, and other contaminants during pool closures. As with any pool maintenance, you’ll want to test your pool water’s current chemical levels first. To find out if your current pool chemistry levels are up to par.
You can use water quality test strips, test kits, or other testing equipment to quickly and accurately check chlorine, pH, total alkalinity, and calcium hardness levels. And adjust these levels based on the test paper.
The pH should be: 7.2-7.8. This range minimizes the risk of corrosion and scaling.
Total Alkalinity: Keep total alkalinity between 60 and 180 ppm to stabilize pH.
Residual Chlorine Level: 1-3 ppm.
Chemicals you may use for this step:
pH Balancer: The pH of your pool water should be between 7.2 and 7.8. A pH balancer will help adjust the pH to the ideal range, preventing corrosion of pool equipment and making it harder for algae to grow.
Total Alkalinity Adjuster: When your total alkalinity is high or low, it’s not good for the pH to stay at the right level.
Calcium Hardness Increaser: Calcium hardness is essential to protect your pool’s plaster or tile finish. If calcium hardness is low, adding a calcium hardness increaser can help prevent scaling and corrosion.
Pool Shock
Pool shocks can include a chlorine shock (high doses of Sodium Dichloroisocyanurate or Calcium Hypochlorite) or a non-chlorine shock (Potassium peroxymonosulfate). Uses a high amount of oxidizing agents to eliminate contaminants. Kills off any remaining contaminants, bacteria, and algae so nothing nasty can grow under the pool cover. Removing existing algae and organic contamination gives the algaecide the best chance of success, essentially giving it a clean slate.
Try to do this about five days before you completely close your pool and secure the winter cover, as shocking takes time to circulate, and you’ll need to wait until chlorine levels drop back to recommended levels before adding any additional chemicals.
Regarding chlorine shock and non-chlorine shock, you can check out my article “Chlorine Shock Vs Non-Chlorine Shock For Swimming Pools”
Algaecide
After shocking and the free chlorine levels in your pool are back in the normal range, add a long-lasting algaecide. The algaecide will inhibit the growth of new algae, keeping your water clear and clean.
Other pool chemicals you may need:
Stain and scale preventatives: Keep your pool’s surface smooth and prevent stains and scale buildup. This is especially important if you have hard water.
Pool antifreeze: Protects your pool’s plumbing system from freezing temperatures.
Phosphate removers or enzymes: If your pool has ever had green algae while open, these can help.
How to close your pool for the winter
If you’re not sure where to start, here are the steps:
1. Clear the pool
2. Vacuum the water to remove debris, dirt, and other waste
3. Rinse the pool repeatedly and lower the water level. Make sure to clean the pool thoroughly and keep the water level below the skimmer to ensure that no water can enter the pump and filter system.
4. Test and adjust the water chemistry balance
5. Add pool chemicals. Add a high-volume chlorine shock, and once the shock is complete and the free chlorine level drops to 1-3ppm, add a long-lasting algaecide.
6. Test and adjust the water chemistry level again to normal range.
7. Turn off the pump. Once the chemicals are added and have been thoroughly circulated, turn off the pump.
8. Drain the filter and pump to prevent ice damage.
9. Cover the pool with a high-quality winter cover
Finally, keep checking your pool during the winter to ensure that any problems are resolved promptly.
Pro tips for successful pool closings:
When: Close the pool when the water temperature remains consistently below 60°F (15°C). At lower temperatures, algae growth is minimal.
Circulation: After adding chemicals, run the pool pump for at least 24 hours to ensure proper distribution.
Storage: Store remaining chemicals in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
Inspection: Before closing, check your pool equipment (such as filters, pumps, and skimmers) for any problems.
Note: Read dosage and safety instructions carefully before using chemicals. Pay attention to the manufacturer’s guidance for specific chemicals, as different brands may have slightly different dosage or operating instructions.
Some articles about swimming pools:
Should You Use Chlorine Or Algaecide?
How Long After Chemicals Are Added To A Pool Before It Is Safe To Swim?
How Do You Fix High Cyanuric Acid In Pool?
What Causes Swimming Pool Water To Turn Green?
Calculation Of SDIC Dosage In Swimming Pools: Professional Advice And Tips
Post time: Jan-15-2025