Winterizing your pool before it snows is rule number one. Winter brings below zero temperatures to the Okanagan, and this means your pool should be winterized before damage occurs. Closing your inground pool should be timed to beat the first frost and keep your water lines from freezing but not so early you are pushing the limits of your winterizing chemicals. If you wait until the water temperature is consistently below 15 degrees Celsius, you will have less algae growth through the winter. We will give you some general tips on winterizing your pool, but please refer to your product manual for full servicing details.
Whether you sanitize your pool using chlorine or salt water, a pool contractor will generally follow this list:
- Remove any flotation devices, toys, ropes or pool accessories.
- Remove the diving board if you have one. Drain water slides and blow out the piping system.
- Drain your pool to a water level just below the return lines.
- Disconnect your pump and filter. Make sure the pump is completely drained. There are different methods for draining and cleaning sand and cartridge filters. Call us if you need details, or book our pool winterizing service and we’ll take care of this for you.
- If you have a pool heater, make sure you drain it completely, and blow out the lines with a compressor.
- Pull the drain plugs and blow out the lines.
- Use a compressor to blow the water out of the plumbing lines. Avoid using antifreeze, which can cause obvious problems when you reopen your pool. It’s better to blow out your lines properly.
- Plug the skimmer hole or use a Gizzmo, a hollow tube that collapses if water gets into the skimmer and freezes, or use a skimmer plate over the mouth of the skimmer (for pools with vinyl linings). This will help you seal the skimmer line.
- Balance your chemicals. For salt water or chlorine, ensure your water chemistry is balanced before closing it up for the winter. Check total pH, total alkalinity, and calcium hardness.
- Finally, install your pool safety cover to keep it clear of winter debris. The cover should lay flat over the water surface, not sagging in the middle or be uneven.
For detailed information on our hot tubs and pool equipment, see our products page or visit H2O Spas’ website.
Our Pool Services
Call us to book our pool winterizing service, and in the spring, we can reopen your pool for a new swimming season. You’ve invested a considerable sum in your inground pool, and our pool closing service will protect it for you until the next season. We handle the complete process from clearing the water lines, to water analysis, winterizing chemicals and proper covering. We remain open during this unusual time, following COVID protocols to keep our customers and staff safe, whether we are at our storefront or working onsite. Winter hours are Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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