1. Skimming, brushing, vacuuming
However you want to do it, clean your pool, obviously we recommend robot cleaners. Get every bit of debris, residue, leaf, dirt, sand etc out of the pool. The more 'stuff' left behind the more your chemistry will change over the winter months, leaving you with a mess to repair when prepping for pool season opening.
2. Drain the pool to be below the skimmer
Turn off filter
Set filter to ‘Backwash’ setting
Set the valve to the main drain
Turn filter on
Let the water filter for a few minutes or until the water looks cleaner
Turn the filter off
Turn the setting to ‘waste’
Turn the filter on and let it drain until the water is a few inches below the skimmer
Turn filter on
STOP! READ THIS
If you feel uncomfortable doing the following step, hire a professional to do so for you. You should have a professional come especially if you have a heater or fountain as blowing out these lines could be tricky.
3. Blowing out your lines
Remove all the return fittings and skimmer baskets
Remove all the drain plugs from the filter system
Set multiport valve to recirculate
Set your pump valve to the skimmer line
Attach the air compressor to the pump
Turn the pump on
Starting with the skimmer, utilize the shop vac to remove the water that is being blown out so that the skimmer is dry
Then plug it up
Plug in all of the return lines
Turn the pump valve to the ‘main drain’ setting so that air can be moved that way. Once the bubbles begin coming up from the center, let it continue for about a minute
Turn the valve back to the skimmer line
Turn off air compressor
4. Winter Chemicals for your Pool
The easiest way to add chemicals is to go to the store and purchase a chemical packet that fits the size of your pool. Disperse the chemicals throughout the pool.
5. Cover
Put the winter cover on, either a safety cover or winter cover. This will prevent debris from entering the pool, and will keep the water preserved and clean.
