| As the end of the swimming season draws near, | | | | removed from the swimming pool. This is also |
| it's time to think about preparing your in-ground | | | | the time when you should remove your solar |
| swimming pool for the winter. If you don't close | | | | cover and prepare it for winter storage. |
| your pool properly at the end of the summer, it | | | | The next step to take is to chemically prepare |
| can become damaged by harsh winter weather | | | | the pool water for the winter season. The |
| and your spring opening can be complicated by | | | | easiest way to complete this step is to use a |
| dirty water, algae growth and damage to your | | | | winterizing chemical kit for in-ground swimming |
| pool pipes & hardware from ice expansion | | | | pools. These winterizing chemical kits contain all |
| during the winter months. Fortunately, by following | | | | of the chemicals required to properly close your |
| some simple steps and by making use of | | | | pool for the winter, in handy, pre-measured kits |
| convenient swimming pool closing accessories for | | | | for specific pool sizes. By using a winterizing |
| in-ground pools, you can provide your pool with | | | | chemical kit, you can quickly and easily ensure the |
| effective protection throughout the winter. | | | | prevention of stains and algae growth during the |
| The first step in preparing your in-ground pool for | | | | winter so that you will find sparkling clean water |
| the winter season involves checking for water | | | | when you uncover your pool in the springtime. |
| leakage. This is very important, in order to | | | | Once your pool has been chemically treated, it will |
| prevent damage from expanding ice to your | | | | be time to cover your pool with either a winter |
| pipes, hardware, liner and equipment. Once you | | | | cover or a safety cover. A Safety Cover is |
| have confirmed that your pool is not leaking, or | | | | simply a woven mesh or solid vinyl winter cover |
| once any leaks have been sealed or repaired, you | | | | that can be used on all inground (and some |
| can move on to dealing with the water quality and | | | | aboveground pools). It is designed to be pulled |
| water level of your swimming pool. | | | | taut across the pool, and is secured with straps |
| With regards to water quality, it is strongly | | | | to anchors that you install around the pool's |
| advised that you keep your in-ground pool clean | | | | perimeter. Safety Covers not only prevent leaves |
| and chemically treated right up until the day when | | | | & debris from getting into your pool water |
| you cover it for the winter. This will make it | | | | while your pool is closed, they are also designed |
| easier to close your pool and will also save you | | | | to prevent accidental submersion, providing an |
| significant time and effort when you open your | | | | extra level of protection for your family, |
| pool the following spring. If you are going to use | | | | neighbours, pets and area wildlife. In contrast, |
| a solid winter pool cover as well as a skimmer | | | | winter covers are what’s commonly referred |
| closure, you can simply leave the pool's water | | | | to as “lay-on-the-water” covers. They are |
| level at the same level as it was during the | | | | also available with either mesh or solid |
| summer. However, if you are going to use a | | | | construction, and provide effective protection |
| mesh winter pool cover, you will have to lower | | | | during the winter months, or any prolonged period |
| the water level to about two inches below the | | | | of inactivity. Winter Covers are generally less |
| bottom of the pool's skimmer. | | | | expensive, and are the most popular variety of |
| Next, you will need to take care of your pool | | | | protective off-season cover in use today. |
| filter, underground lines, heater and skimmer. If | | | | In order to ensure that your winter cover |
| you have a sand or DE filter, you will need to | | | | provides effective protection all season long, it's |
| backwash it thoroughly. If you have a cartridge | | | | extremely important to anchor the cover |
| filter, simply remove and clean the cartridge | | | | properly. This can be achieved through the use |
| units. Once that has been done, you will need to | | | | of several different swimming pool closing |
| use the exhaust setting on a strong vacuum or | | | | accessories for in-ground swimming pools such as |
| bypass blowers to remove any water from your | | | | water tubes and unbreakable Aqua Blocks. Pool |
| pool's underground lines. If you have a pool | | | | water tubes can simply be filled with a standard |
| heater, it's important to drain the unit and blow air | | | | garden hose and are ideal for anchoring winter |
| into the heat exchanger in order to ensure that | | | | covers of the lay-on-the-water variety. Aqua |
| no water remains. It's also a good idea to use a | | | | Blocks are also great for anchoring winter pool |
| product in the heater compartment that will | | | | covers and are flexible tubs constructed from |
| prevent mice from nesting inside it. If you are | | | | durable polyethylene. |
| going to use a solid winter pool cover and do not | | | | Finally, it's important to keep your winter pool |
| wish to lower your pool's water level, you will | | | | cover free of rips, tears and significant water |
| need to use a skimmer closure to seal your | | | | accumulation. By keeping a cover patch kit on |
| skimmer and protect it from damage caused by | | | | hand, you will be able to quickly repair any |
| the expansion of freezing water. For the same | | | | damage that occurs before it evolves into a |
| reason, it's also important to use pool winterizing | | | | bigger and more costly problem. While it is |
| plugs at this point to seal return lines and inlet | | | | normal for most pool covers to accumulate a |
| fittings. | | | | certain amount of water during the winter |
| Underwater lighting should not be removed from | | | | months, significant accumulation caused by rain |
| in-ground swimming pools during the winterizing | | | | and melting snow should be removed with the |
| process. However, any removable hand rails and | | | | help of cover pumps. Cover pumps will quickly |
| ladders should be taken out of the pool. Any | | | | and easily remove excess standing water from |
| summer gear and accessories such as pool | | | | your winter pool cover, saving you plenty of time |
| fountains and cleaner attachments should also be | | | | and effort. |