winter
1. Make sure to clean the pool as best possible by brushing the walls & floor & then the next day vacuuming the pool well.
This will make sure that there is not algae & bacteria living in a film on the walls & floor of the pool.

2. Give the pool a good chlorination to at least 10.0ppm of chlorine, do this preferably with calcium hypochlorite or liquid chlorine (Sodium Hypochlorite).
Keep the filter operating during this period.
For each 10,000 US galls or 40,000 litres of volume in your pool.
If you use the calcium hypochlorite, then use 1.5 lbs (750gms) of product & if you use the liquid chlorine, then use 6 US pints (3.2 litres) of liquid.
This will burn off any algae spore or bacteria which may be in the water.
The reason for using the powder or liquid is that both raise the pH & you are best to keep the pH up to about 7.8-8.0 during winter to stop algae growth.

3. After 24 hours, when the chlorine level has come down, add a good quality concentrated algicide to the pool in the dosage recommended for winterizing on the lable. DO NOT ADD THE ALGECIDE WHILE THE CHLORINE LEVEL IS HIGH. (See end of email for supplier in USA)

4. If you have a cover, then cover the pool

5. Filters & Pumps.

If you have a SAND filter,, then give it a good backwash while the chlorine level is high & this way it will kill any algae spore or bacteria which may be in the filter sand.
Once it is clean, switch off the pump & if there is the chance of freezing, then drain the filter tank.
If you have a CARTRIDGE filter, then remove the cartridge & give it a good clean & leave it to dry in a safe place, if there is the chance of freezing, then drain the filter tank.

If you have a DIATOMACEOUS EARTH filter, then take the tank appart & remove the pads & give them a good clean, scrub them with a light brush if necessary. Then leave them to dry, if there is the chance of freezing, then drain the filter tank.

ALWAYS LEAVE FILTER VALVES IN "WASTE" OR "BACKWASH" POSITION SO THAT ANY ICE FORMING IN THE PIPES CAN EXPAND.
THE REASON THAT I SAY TO LEAVE THE PADS OUT OF THE DE FILTER & THE CARTRIDGE OUT OF THE CARTRIDGE FILTER IS TO STOP ALGAE OR FUNGUS GROWING ON THEM WHEN THEY ARE NOT OPERATING OR BEING DESTROYED BY ICE.

Clean the strainer in front of the pump to make sure any leaves are out & if you live in an area where the water freezes, then empty the water out of the pump.

6. If you have run the filter for the correct time after adding the chlorine, then the pipes should be clean of any algae & bacteria.

7. If you live in an area where the water freezes, then isolate the pipes from the pool.
You will need to plug the pipes in the pool with rubber expandable plugs available from most pool shops.
It may also be necessary in some areas to have the pipes drained, you will normally need a service to do this with compressed air after they have plugged the pipes from the pool.

For an excellent quality winterizing algaecide, if you live in the USA call The John Girvan Company on 1-800-356-6460 please tell them I suggested you call them & ask them about their products & where their nearest agent is to you.

If you have any more questions please email me.

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This Page last updated: 05.00am on 29th March 2003