❄️ Winter Is Coming – Prepare Your Pool with Confidence

Much like the first episode of famous television show, Game of Thrones... "winter is coming." While we don't have to deal with fire-breathing dragons and unexpected ambushes, we are preparing to battle freezing temperatures, heavy precipitation, and the struggle of securing a pool cover. This winter, take care of your watery kingdom with a little help from your friends at Paythepoolman. 🛠️

⚖️ Balance Your Water Chemistry

First, bring balance to your miniature realm about a week prior to closure by achieving a chemical balance appropriate for winterizing. Follow local recommendations for pH and alkalinity levels.

Once your readings match recommendations for your area and equipment, you will need to shock your pool with chlorine to prepare for the long months ahead. Dose the pool with larger amount of chlorine a few days before. Test your water and make sure it is at around 10 - 12ppm. Allow the chlorine level to return to 1.0 - 3.0 ppm over the next few days (winter algaecide and pool covers may disintegrate if chlorine levels are too high). Track changes in chemical balances and dosages in Paythepoolman's pool service software! 🧪

🏊 Store Your Equipment Safely

Next, you will need to temporarily retire your trusty weapons against decay and debris. After taking inventory in Paythepoolman, hang up your skimmer baskets, wall fittings, cleaners, solar blankets, and ladders in a safe, dry place. Make sure everything is drained and loosely coiled to prevent freezing or cracking. 📦

🧼 Clean and Clear

Skim, vacuum, brush, and break out the "bag type" nets to catch all leftover debris in the pool. Remove any unwanted leftovers by running the filter on more time. Upload some photos to Paythepoolman to remember how clean it looks! 📸

🌊 Lower the Water Level

Lower the water level using a filter pump or a submersible pump. Your tides should retreat to about 12" below the skimmer line (for mesh overs) or 3"-4" (for solid covers). If your skimmer is already equipped with a cover, you won't need to lower your water level. 🌧️

🚰 Drain and Disconnect

Almost every pump, filter, heater, and chlorinator in your inventory will have a drain cap that can be opened to release internal trapped water. This is an incredibly important step to ensuring your equipment does not freeze or crack during the winter. Use a small amount of air from something such as a shop vacuum or a baby fire-breathing dragon to blow out the last bits of moisture from these tools. 🧯

All sand and DE filters must be backwashed, disconnected, and stored in a dry, safe place. Record these backwashes in the "service" tab of Paythepoolman Plus.

🛡️ Lubricate and Secure

Lubricate small moving items such as cast iron headers, brass plugs, filter bellyband o-rings, union connection o-rings, plunger o-rings, and the One Ring to Rule Them All. 🛠️

Underground pools must have all water removed from their plumbing lines. You can use a blower to push water out of the skimmer, through the equipment, and back into the pool. If you aren't able to clear out the line by blowing, add a generous amount of swimming pool antifreeze.

Above-ground pools must have their hoses disconnected from the pump and filter. Their wall outlets must also be securely plugged. Any PVC pipe used should be blown out and filled with antifreeze.

💧 Add Algaecide

Win your battle against algae and put your pool under siege by using algaecide to remove its food source (dead plant matter and debris).

To keep your pool fresh over the winter, we recommend replenishing the water with a normal amount of chlorine. If you have a plaster pool (NOT vinyl), we recommend using a chlorine floater large enough to hold an adequate amount of tabs to last through the coming months. 🌱

🎯 Cover and Manage

Lastly, protect your customer's pool or spa by securing a pool cover... and make sure you are covered with Paythepoolman's detailed service logs to be certain your customer's pool received all the pre-winter care it needs. 📋

Remember to record all extra winterization labor, chemicals, and equipment used in you paythepoolman.com for an accurate summary of your service cost.

🛌 Rest

Return to the castle with peace of mind this holiday season, knowing that the battle against cold temperatures has been won, and your records are safe and warm in Paythepoolman's database. When spring returns, you will be ready to march onward!

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Ready to streamline your pool service business? Sign up for your free 30-day trial and experience the ease of tracking chemicals, managing tasks, and keeping your customers happy with Paythepoolman’s innovative pool service software.

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Works Cited

Accessed September 5th, 2024

“Pool Maintenance Tips.” In The Swim Blog | Pool Maintenance Tips, blog.intheswim.com/category/pool-care/pool-maintenance-tips/.

Manning, David. “What Pool Chemicals Do I Need to Winterize My Pool?” Manning Pool Service, 1 June 2023, www.manningpoolservice.com/blog/pool-chemicals-to-winterize-my-pool