When summer ends and autumn draws in, it becomes time to shut down your pool for winter. Here are some tips on what to do. The following advice applies to inground pools and hard sided above ground pools. For soft sided splasher pools skip to the bottom of the page.

Your water

• Make sure the pH is in the range 7.2 to 7.6. Add Dry Acid or Sodium carbonate if necessary.
• Shock dose your water with unstabilised chlorine - raise the chlorine levels to 6 to 10 ppm. Keep your pump running for 6 to 12 hours to distribute the chlorine to all parts of the pool.
• Add a winterising product (shop)– this is a long life algaecide designed to keep your pool free of algae over the winter months (PolyQuat). Keep your pump running for 6 to 12 hours to distribute the algaecide to all parts of the pool.
• Assuming there are no leaks in your pool, switch your skimmer valve off and drain the water down to 4 to 6 inches below the bottom of the skimmer. Place a plastic bottle 1/3 full of water in the skimmer pots to prevent freeze damage. This is to allow for the winter rainfall to bring the level back up otherwise the pool could overflow
• Protect your walls from damage by expanding ice by floating a protective container (shop) on the water surface to absorb expansion. It is a good idea to tether them around the pool because they can all end up in one corner. See our home servicing page for a comprehensive winterisation package.

Spa's

As above and remove cartridge clean, disinfect and store away. Drain all pumps etc. With an acrylic shell you may be able to drain down following the manufactures instructions. You may also like to enjoy your investment and carry on!!!!!!

Your covers

Take your summer cover off and give it a thorough clean with fresh water and SWS Sanosil Biocontrol Plus. Clean dry and fold it up and pack it away in a dry place or leave it on the roller clean dry and cover it over with a winter storage cover. Put your winter debris cover on the pool to keep as many leaves out as possible. Always tension it as tight as possible. You do not want it dangling in the water. You may need to re-tension it after the first two or three days. Remember normal winter covers are not safety covers. Pets and children can still be trapped in the water if they walk on the cover. You can get combined winter / safety covers (shop).We strongly advise you alarm your pool (shop).

Your Equipment

Once you have circulated your chemicals and drained down the top level it is time to drain the water out of your pump, filter and heater. Each should have a drain plug at the bottom to let the water out. This is so it does not freeze inside and cause damage during the colder months. If in an exposed position clean dry and cover. it is good practice to check the pool/spa and its plant regularly throughout the winter(See our home servicing page)

Early Spring

Soft sided splasher pools

Soft sided inflatable “easy set” pools and frame pools should be emptied, cleaned, disinfected and allowed to dry out. Pack them away somewhere dry, not in contact with the ground. Back in their box or on a pallet or on a shelf. To get the last bit of water out when emptying an easy set pool you can deflate the top ring and stand on it or put something heavy on it. Drain all the water out of the pump and pipes and take the filter out. Make sure you keep the bungs in a safe place so you can find them again next year. In the space vacated by the filter is a good place. If you have a solar cover clean and disinfect. Disinfect using SWS Sanosil Biocontrol Plus(shop) and pack it away.

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