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Pool Closing Tips: Is Antifreeze the Answer? | Pool Closing Monroe
The short answer is no. Blowing out your lines is a crucial step in the pool closing process.
Pool Closing Tips: Is Antifreeze the Answer?
The short answer is no. Blowing out your lines is a crucial step in the pool closing process. If you do that, there is no need to use antifreeze in addition to that. We do offer tips below if you end up adding antifreeze, but we really do not think it is necessary. With summer coming to a close, you face the daunting task of closing up the pool. Call in a professional or handle it on your own. Check out how to close your inground pool in just a day.
First, gather all your supplies before you start, such as:
- Pool cover
- Water tubes
- Winter plugs
- Skimmer plugs
- Winter closing kit
- Air compressor/blower
- Remove accessories: Remove ladders, railings, safety ropes, diving board and more. Remove eyeball fittings from return lines along with skimmer baskets.
- Test the water to ensure proper balancing. Take a sample and head to your pool store for evaluation. You can also have your pool cleaning expert take it or use test strips to look for a pH between 7.4 and 7.6 and alkalinity between 100ppm and 150ppm. Chlorine levels should be between one and three parts per million. If you don’t use chlorine, make sure your sanitizer is at the proper level. Balanced water will prevent corrosion and scale buildup.
- Clean the pool: Brush down the walls and steps, followed by a skim of the surface of the water to remove debris.
- Add chemicals: Put in the winterizing chemicals such as alkalinity/pH increaser, chlorine tablets, shock and algaecide.
- Shock the pool: It’s best to do this at night right after you’re done closing the pool for the season.
- Backwash and clean filter/pump: Backwash the filter, getting any debris out from the basket. Make sure the filter is back to the “Filter” setting on the multi-port valve.
- Blow out the lines. If you don’t do this correctly, you could cause your pipes to crack. Make sure you research this task thoroughly, or even better, call a professional. Remember, you don’t need antifreeze if you do this task.
- Don’t use car antifreeze: If you do feel the need for antifreeze, always use a swimming pool antifreeze and nothing else. Take off the skimmer basket and plug, drain the water to below the skimmer, then add the antifreeze into the skimmer’s hole. However, again, if you properly blow the lines, you won’t need to do this.
- Apply your safety cover: Check for rips and tears, then secure the cover with water tubes.
Got more questions about antifreeze as part of the closing process? Want to book an appointment for service? Call us at Central Jersey Pools today!
