Closing

TIPS: Do not stop maintaining the pool or stop filtering the pool before closing day. Before closing your pool for the winter, make sure there are no water leaks. If you do have leaks, make repairs immediately to avoid causing further damage to the pool.

STEP 1: DAY BEFORE THE SHUTDOWN

1. Vacuum the pool and do a backwash.
2. Balance the alkalinity and pH.
3. Do a chlorine treatment.
4. Clean the filter.

STEP 2: CLEANING THE FILTER AND ACCESSORIES

1. Clean the filter with an appropriate cleanser.
2. Clean the residue around the pool’s water line.
3. Clean the solar cover with an appropriate product and store it in a dry area.

STEP 3: DRAINING THE POOL

1. Shut down the skimmer valve and open the bottom drain valve.
2. Position the drain handle to DRAIN or WASTE. Let the water level go down to one inch (1″) under the water returns. The water must be low enough to allow you to remove the water in the water return hoses.
3. Turn off the pump when the water level is correct.
4. Unscrew the water return balls and remove them. NEVER REMOVE THE WATER RETURN PART FASTENED WITH SCREWS.
5. Open the skimmer valve.
6. Drain the pipes as follows:
   Using a wet/dry vacuum that both sucks and blows, empty the pipes according to one of the following methods: Remove the filter’s piping to give you direct access to the water return hoses and whirlpool jets. If you have a chlorinator, disconnect the hose on the “OUT” side of it, and if not, disconnect the high-pressure hose which starts above the pump and connects at the filter head. Then place the filter handle in the RECIRCULATE position. Insert the vacuum hose, having positioned it in “blow” mode, and the other end of the hose in the piping that you just undid. If you have whirlpool jets, turn on the water return valve and the whirlpool jet valve. Start the vacuum and let it blow through the piping; the water contained in the hoses will drain into the pool. When water stops flowing out of the returns, empty the skimmer. To do so, open the pump basket cover. Then insert the vacuum hose (in “vacuum” mode) directly into the skimmer hose. Run the vacuum until you feel good suction inside your pool’s pump. If you have a water heater, please read the instructions on how to shut it down (further down in this text) and follow all the steps before going on with the rest of the procedure. Then position the filter handle to WINTERIZE or between two positions.
7.  Open and leave open the skimmer valve and the bottom drain valve.
8. Cover the water returns and skimmer caps with Teflon tape and screw into the water returns. For whirlpool jets, we recommend you use expandable rubber caps to completely block off the jets.
9. Install a Styrofoam hibernation kit inside the skimmer to prevent ice expansion. Please carefully follow all instructions provided with the kit.
10. Remove the pressure gauge and the glass indicator on the filter head. Then remove the drain caps on the filter and pump. Let the water drain away by itself (make sure that it is draining). DO NOT PUT THE CAPS BACK ON.
11. Clean your chlorinator by taking off the last washers inside. BE CAREFUL! THERE WILL BE A STRONG SMELL OF CHLORINE. Then take off the chlorinator’s draining cap to drain the water that had remained inside.
12. Remove all the pool accessories (corner step, ladder(s), diving board, safety cable). When removing the ladder(s), be sure that the rubber stops stay in place; otherwise you could damage your pool liner.
13. Once you’ve finished this part of the process, you only need to use the winterizing products. Be sure to follow the instructions provided with these products – they may vary as new technologies are introduced or as environmental standards evolve – and it’s best to be fully informed every year before using these products.

POOL ACCESSORIES

Lights
Turn the breaker controlling the light(s) OFF. Remove the light(s). If you have a stainlesssteel light with a glass window (American Product, Sta-Rite or Jacuzzi), lie down on the pool’s surround and undo the light screw located at the top of the metal ring. The light can then be removed and placed on the pool surround. We recommend placing a piece of Styrofoam over the glass window to prevent scratching, and then placing it inside a polythene bag. Using a small stake and a cord, attach the bag in such a way that it cannot fall into the water.

Water heater
Position the water heater to “0-OFF” and turn off the breaker, as required. We strongly recommend that you hose down the inside and outside of the heater to wash out all debris before the winter. Unplug the water hoses and blow or suck the air inside them to ensure that ice cannot expand into the hoses during the winter. Then shut down the hoses and leave the bypass valves open. Protect it with a tarp, a waterproof canvas or polythene-type plastic. If you have a gas water heater, do not forget to shut off the gas.

Salt chlorine generator
Turn OFF the generator power switch and unplug the electrical cord. Then unplug the cell from the control panel and unscrew the cell from the hose before taking it completely away from the pool’s piping. Using a cell support (which keeps it upright), clean the cell with a solution designed specifically for that purpose. To clean the cell, pour the solution inside the cell and leave it for about 15 minutes, then rinse it using your garden hose. Once it’s clean, the cell can be put back in place.

IMPORTANT
Please note that this information is provided for reference only, and that at all times work done is undertaken at the user’s risk.

STEP 1: DAY BEFORE THE SHUTDOWN

1. Vacuum the pool and do a backwash.
2. Balance the alkalinity and pH.
3. Do a chlorine treatment.
4. Clean the filter.

STEP 2: CLEANING THE FILTER AND ACCESSORIES

1. Clean the filter with an appropriate cleanser.
2. Clean the residue at the pool’s water line.
3. Clean the solar cover with an appropriate product and store in a dry area.

STEP 3: DRAINING THE POOL

1. Pull down the lever of the three-way valve to position 1 to shut down your skimmer (Position 1 should be at the top of the skimmer).
2. Shut down the pump. Position the filter lever to DRAIN (only once the filter has been cleaned), otherwise, position the lever to BACKWASH and run it for five minutes and then position it to DRAIN.
3. For pools that do not have a bottom drain, draining must be performed with a vacuum.
4. Lower the water level 15″–18″ below the skimmer (consult your vendor as recommended water levels can vary from one manufacturer to another).
5. Shut down the pump.

STEP 4: PUMP STORAGE

1. Unplug the pump.
2. Disconnect all the hoses.
3. Empty water from the pump basket and clean as necessary.
4. Store the pump in a heated location.

STEP 5: FILTER STORAGE

1. Unscrew the pressure gauge.
2. Take off the glass bubble (if there is one).
3. Take off the cap at the bottom of the tank. Leave on a sloped surface for a few days to completely drain the tank.
4. Store all the pieces together.
5. Leave the filter position at WINTERIZE.

STEP 6: BOTTOM DRAIN

1. Pool antifreeze is required in the bottom drain hose, regardless of the type of valve or connecting hose.
2. Place the three-way valve at the FULL DRAIN position (meaning it is opened sufficiently to pour the antifreeze into the skimmer).
3. Pour the antifreeze through the skimmer to the bottom drain.
4. Insert the Styrofoam flange through the skimmer to the bottom of the pool and shut down the skimmer valve.

For uneven ground (questionable drainage):

• Disconnect the bottom drain hose under the three-way valve.
• Tie the hose to a stake near the pool and leave it hanging above the pool.
• Pour antifreeze in very slowly.
• Insert the Styrofoam flange and fasten it tightly with a piece of adhesive tape or by bending it. Ensure that the skimmer is draining by leaving the three-way valve open.

STEP 7: SKIMMER

1. Remove the skimmer by gently bending its small door and removing the basket.
2. Clean the skimmer.
3. Insert the Styrofoam inside the skimmer.

STEP 8: WATER RETURN

1. Unscrew the ring around the water return to remove the eyeball.
2. Screw on the winter cap to avoid water leakage.

WATER RETURN LIGHTS

1. Remove the light and store it in a dry location.
2. Insert a cap in the cavity.

STEP 9: SHUTDOWN KIT

1. Follow the directions included with the shutdown kit.
2. Using a shutdown kit will help you maintain clean water during the entire winter.

STEP 10: WINTER COVER

When using a winter cover, you must place a ball under the cover and ensure that the water that accumulates on the cover is drained; this will avoid unnecessary tension on the cover which could eventually damage the pool. The winter cover should be taken off before periods of heavy freezing.

NET
If you use a net for leaves, you can remove it after all the leaves have fallen. However, if you are installing an elastic system, the net can spend the winter over the pool without any problem.

STEP 11: SHUTTING DOWN THE WATER HEATER

1. Drain the heater using a wet/dry vacuum.
2. Consult your retailer to find out if you need to use antifreeze in the water heater hoses.

ATTENTION: Once your pool is closed, heavy autumn rainfall could cause the water level to rise. A too-high water level, combined with frost, could damage the skimmer’s side panels. If the water should rise, again lower the water level to 18″ below the skimmer. Ensure that rain and melting snow will drain properly, meaning away from the pool, to avoid damage to the structure.

IMPORTANT

Please note that this information is provided for reference only and that at all times work done is undertaken at the client’s risk.