Topical Tips

For an explanation of techical terms, follow the links or see A Layman's Guide to Technical Terms or pH Explained.

Regular updates during the summer and autumn. Last update: 28 April, 2003. Next update: September, 2003

GUIDELINES ON OPENING UP OUTDOOR POOLS

If you have not opened up your own pool before, and you are in any doubt as to your ability to do so, you would be well advised to call in you local pool centre or service engineer to do the job for you. If you want to undertake the work yourself, the guidelines provided on this page should be of some assistance.

• Remove surface water and debris from the winter cover before taking it off. Clean and dry it ready for storage
• Using a leaf net, remove as much rubbish and debris from the pool as possible and clean any tide marks on the pool walls
• Make sure all electrical connections are free from dampness - call in an electrician if you are in any doubt about what you are doing
• Open any valves beneath the water line which may have been closed when winterising. Check there are no obstructions to drains, outlets and the pump strainer
• Top up the water level so that it can be drawn in through the skimmer
• Turn on the pump and check that the filter, skimmers and drains are all working. Do not be too concerned if the water from the circulation is discoloured initially
• Run the filter for several hours, vacuuming out any remaining debris
• Backwash the filter and top up with fresh water
• Check the pH and get it as near as possible to 7.4
• Superchlorinate to around 10 ppm with an unstabilised chlorine to kill any algae that may be present
• If you are going to use unstabilised chlorine such as calcium hypochlorite, add stabiliser (cyanuric acid) to prevent loss of chlorine to sunlight
• Now is the time to add a Spring Open-Up or long-life algicide if this is what you normally do, but ensure copper levels are not too high during the season

SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE - GUIDELINES FOR WINTERISING OUTDOOR POOLS

If you have not winterised your own pool before, and you are in any doubt as to your ability to do so, you would be well advised to call in you local pool centre or service engineer to do the job for you. If you want to undertake the work yourself, the guidelines provided on this page should be of some assistance.

• Thoroughly backwash the filter and clean the strainer
• Check the pH and get it as near as possible to 7.4
• Superchlorinate with an unstabilised chlorine to kill any algae that may be present
• Add a proprietary winterising fluid (typical brand names are Winterclear, Wintercare, Winterclean and Wintertop) in accordance with the manufacturers instructions. These are designed to inhibit algae growth and minimise the risk of mineral staining.
• Turn on the circulation for long enough to mix the solution throughout the pool water i.e. 24 hours if possible
• Lower the water level so that it is below the skimmers. (The pool installers recommendations on water level should be borne in mind - it is important not to lower the level too much especially if the natural water table is high as this could present structural hazards to the pool shell).
• Drain the water from the filter, pump, heater and pipework, greasing any exposed metal surfaces
• Leave valves above water level open, those below should be closed and protected against frost damage
• Remove ladders, diving boards and summer covers and store them away from extremes of temperature
• Switch off electricity supply
• Float one or two weighted and sealed polythene bottles (perhaps used chemical containers) on the pool surface to absorb expansion of ice
• Cover the pool with a heavy duty pool cover
• Check the appearance of the water, and the pH and free chlorine occasionally during the winter, especially as spring approaches or if the winter is mild

The information provided on this page is believed to be correct but is given without warranty and no liability is accepted or implied