#drain pool

The weather has started to cool off and, while it may still be warm enough during the day to swim, unless you have a heated pool the nights maybe cooling off the water too much to enjoy it during the day.  Looks like it’s time to prepare your pool for the coming winter (though many of you may still enjoy a brisk swim).  Get your pool ready by preparing it in case of freezing and protecting the inside surfaces with a chemistry-balancing treatment.

Treat Your Water

Balance your pool’s chemistry, making sure that the pH value is between 7.2 and 7.6.  Keep the alkalinity of your water at 80-120 parts per million (ppm) and the calcium hardness at 180-220 ppm.  Once the pool has been balanced, chlorinate it to kill off any existing organisms.  Test the water over the next few days and, once the chlorine reaches 1-3 ppm, use a pool winterizing agent to prevent algae buildup.  The winterizing agent will keep your pool blue and beautiful throughout the winter.

Freezing Prep

While your pool itself is unlikely to freeze, the water in your pump system will certainly freeze at least once during the winter.  Water expands as it freezes, which can severely damage your pump, heating, and filtration equipment.  This leaves you with two simple options for protecting your pool system.

Lower the water Level – drain the pool until the water level does not reach the pump and filter system.  If no water can enter the system, it can’t expand within the pipes to damage them.  Once you’ve drained part of the pool, blow out the pipelines to evacuate the water from the system and plug to ends.  Plugging the entry and exit points of your system will keep weather-water out of the lines and will prevent pests from crawling in and nesting within the system.

Remove the filter and pump system – If sensitive components are not in the water in the first place, they cannot be damage.  This isn’t always the most effective means of preserving components (it depends on how easily removed or installed the devices are). It’s a good idea to clean, dry, and store many of these components anyway, so a hybrid choice between this and lowering the water level.

Once you’ve drained all components, and sealed them against any new water arriving, you’re pool is ready for the winter once more!  Over the course of the winter, occasional debris may end up in the pool (sticks or trash for instance).  Don’t worry, you can call your friends at Texan Blue Pool for help!

Contact the professional pool technicians at Texan Blue Pool Service with any questions about pool maintenance or cleaning.

TEXAN BLUE POOL SERVICE  (100% Satisfaction Guaranteed)

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At Texan Blue Pool Service, we exist to meet your every pool need.