Above ground pool maintenance

Question

I have an 18 ft round poly group pool, it is the pro series and the liner is stronger then the intex. I have been told by people even in the north to lower water level and add winter antifreeze and bring pump in... Does this sound okay? I use salt water system..

Kim Garczynski · Answer

We have a similar pool and live in Wisconsin. My husband lowers the water right below the filter intake. Then he uses a winterizing kit when we close it down in October.  But as soon as the weather gets into the 50,s during the day in spring we uncover the pool since the winterizing kit can wear off and cause algae.

Pm · Answer

I dump all the water out and  start fresh every year.

Steve · Answer

the idea is in draining down the water , should it freeze up the skimmer & suction & return lines will not freeze & burst, also by bringing the pump & filter inside  [ if possible ] you will prevent them from possibly freezing & damage.

Holly Quint Brown · Answer

Do you use chemicals from a pool store?  They will help you with what you need to do at the end of the season.  I wouldn't use regular antifreeze.  In the spring again the pool store can tell you what chemicals to use once you fill the pool.

Mko7801450 · Answer

The antifreeze is used to prevent the lines from freezing & since you are draining the water level to below the skimmer and removing the filter (and taking it indoors) the water lines should have drained during filter removal therefore the antifreeze isn't necessary.

Pm · Answer

It is  for me too but you can't use old water  either  way. It will just freeze either  way in  -30 to -50 degrees.

Jean Myles · Answer

We never drained out pool completely. We would have had to buy a new liner each year.we lowered the water level below the skimmer and took the filter and pump in doors .But to be sure you are doing it correctly give a local pool place a call they will be glad to help.

Mko7801450 · Answer

First off, if there's a chlorine smell, there's too much chlorine in the pool but since you're using salt (smart chouce) you don't have worry about that now . Since you have some time prior to closing you pool, I can run your question by my boss ( he's been in the pool business for 30+ years) on Monday and get back in touch with you.

Johnchip · Answer

It seems to rely on the 'kindness of strangers' in this situation is a bit foolish. Ask the manufacturer and the pool company you bought this from. You paid for this professional advise when you bought their product.

Linda Vellucci · Answer

I had this pool in North Carolina. There is a special kit to purchase with the proper chemicals for winterizing.

Steve · Answer

not sure what is in a winterizing kit,  it must contain an algacide, again if you are unable to bring in the pump & filter you must drain all the water from them. also from the hoses  from the skimmer & return from the equipment to the pool

Dianne · Answer

this is what we do lower water disconnect pump and heater  but one thing you might think your liner is strong  please do not  empty completely because your liner will crumble like a cracker this I know for a fact

Carol Cook Lucas · Answer

You can always check with either a local pool supply company or contact Doheny's online. They are very helpful.

Nas4493758 · Answer

I'm in Toronto where it can get cold in the winter.  I drain the pool completely......the rain and snow will accumulate in the pool so it won't be dry for long. Bring pump inside and that's it. Takes a full weekend to get it up and running again in the spring but I have had the same Pro Series pool for 6 years doing this and an Intex for 5 before that (which is now still being used by a neighbour.)  I have had no trouble with cracking or crumbling of the liner. In the spring I add some bleach to dirty water in pool then use buckets to remove water, dirt and leaves that have accumulated over the winter. I then clean the liner with soapy water focusing on removing dust and dirt, then I fill it.  Cleaning the pool after the winter is the hardest part but once it's done the pool looks new again!  I use chlorine so any stains left on the liner are gone within a week or so.... not sure if salt helps remove liner stains, you may have to do some extra scrubbing 😊 Pool company recommend that the entire pool be dismantled at the end of the season and the reassembled in the spring.  That is NOT an option for me so this is what I found works best in my situation.

ObiaMan · Answer

I live way down south, so it's different for me.  But a few years back I bought a 'solar blanket' that I put on in the winter.  It's like bubble wrap, but much stronger.  I cut it into a circle to fit perfectly in the pool and it floats.  At first I cut the circle where it would hang over the sides  and ran rope back and forth through the openings all around the pool to hold the blanket up, but then I built a big tall top over the whole pool with that clear heavy acrylic panels on top and some sides covered to help it stay crystal clear.  I have a giant oak tree  very close by.  But it never really freezes here.

Sha984104 · Answer

I live  Cleveland Ohio, and it gets freezing cold here, to winterize our pool, which was also 18 round, we would drain 1/4 of the water add like 3 bottles of bleach and add 3-4 inflated innertubes and  tie them together and put a cover on, this way the tubes will move around under the cover from wind blowing and keep the water from freezing.

Sha984104 · Answer

I'm sorry I have no idea, maybe call a pool place and ask.

Kay · Answer

I have the same pool and I have been using the saltwater system for 8 years and I love it. We left our pool up over the winter and I ordered supplies for winterizing right off amazon. No problems yet.

Mary Daugherty-Mays · Answer

I have never heard of putting anti-freeze in a swimming pool to winterize it and I would strongly suggest not doing that...I would agree to call a pool & spa store and get advise from them as, they are the experts. Good luck it looks like a great pool!

Elizabeth Roy · Answer

I have a chlorine based pool with sand filter. I do drop the water to below in and out ports, throw in winter shock and cover the pool to keep out leaves. I remove all hoses and store them in the garage and store my pump in my basement. Don't know about salt water pools but I think winterization would be the same. Hope this helped.

Carol Cook Lucas · Answer

Let me ask my pool guy what he suggests. We are in the south but this guy is a genius.

KATHLEEN QUINLAN · Answer

Thank you what state are you in? Do you like your sand filter? I was discouraged to use one due to the stories I heard but there is stories about everything. I was not Familiar with Sand filtering, so I tried thee salt there is no odor.. I guess if I just ran the pump for awhile then added water and salt maybe it will not hurt the system The salt water filtration is worth looking at. I am amazed that there is no odor and the pool is crystal clear.

Lisa Ostrander · Answer

At our Menards I saw pool anti-freeze.  I live in Michigan.  I have noticed many pools that are left up.  Mine is also a Pro series.  Ours is 24x 52 and a pain to put up and take down, very heavy.  We are going to cross our fingers and try leaving it up this winter.

KATHLEEN QUINLAN · Answer

Are you using chlorine?

Mrs P · Answer

I think I might be able to help answer a lot of your questions, go to my post 'saving you $$$'. It's all about pools, I have an intex pool 18 ft round, there is a link on salt water and health risks, also all things I've learned over the years to make having and cleaning a pool.  I use chlorine, I will never use salt. The link is only one website, research, knowledge is a wonderful thing to help us make the best decisions for ourself a. Good luck !

Mrs P · Answer

If you go to my post called   'saving you $$$. '. It's in the beginning

KATHLEEN QUINLAN · Answer

I am using   salt too. So how do you close yours for the winter? My concern is using the closing kits have shock in them, I am afraid when spring comes that will hurt the salt system  .?

Gabrielle Falk · Answer

We live in Sydney (Aust.). The winters are not nearly as cold as the USA have in the north. However I always keep up maintenance in winter (and other months). It is an above ground, with approximately 30,000 litres of water. Chlorine. Does your pool water freeze over? You can buy solar blankets, but we had one ONCE and when the weather got slightly warmer, it turned the water green (basically cooked the water). I think your best bet would be your local pool shop for the best advice. Continual maintenance is better than leaving it for several months, then having to do a total maintenance haul.  Always clean the filter.  We have NO experience of such cold weather.

Steve · Answer

just to help clear up the  ' salt ' issue, those that have a chlorine generating system , must put salt into there water, usually 2500 to 4000 ppm  [ parts per million ] depending on the system they have  ocean water has apx. 30,000 ppm  the chlorine grnerator separates the chlorine from the salt thus sanitizing your water.  the salt level has to be checked from time to time as you will loose salt by splash out or backwashing

Nha12978449 · Answer

I am not formula with the salt in the water but we lowered the water before and during a heavy rain during the winter. ( we lived in NC) The reason was so the water did not over flow and go behind the liner. It could cave in the pool. (above ground pools. ) My cousin also has a very large in ground pool in NJ and she also always lowers the water in the winter. WE both put large blow up balls (made for pools) under the pool covers to keep the cover from freezing to the water. ? I am not sure why but we always did that. Best bet is to go to a pool place, We always did and they gave good free advice.

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