Winterizing Your Pool
What is the most vinyl friendly way to winterize a vinyl
lined pool? It is fairly simple. Use the absolute minimum
amount of chemicals that will allow the desired affect. Do not
shock your pool using Trichlor (hypochlorite is safer) and
circulate the pool water for 72 hours before shutting down.
Remember: The act of closing your pool is creating a
closed environment. The more chemicals you use the more
severe that environment will be. Do not chlorinate thinking you are
doing good. Less is best when adding chemicals to your vinyl lined
pool.
Never add chemicals directly to the pool.
Dilute them first in a bucket of water and add them to the pool by
pouring them into the skimmer while the circulation system is
on.
Circulate the pool water for a full 72 hours after the
final addition of chemicals is added. Even liquid chlorine
can concentrate in the deep end and cause bleaching of the
liner.
The chlorine level should not exceed
2.0ppm.
Do not lower the water below the skimmer. Place
a Gizzmo or a weighted plastic milk carton in the skimmer to
protect it from freeze damage. Once a pool has been filled with
water, the liner begins to lose its stretching properties:
therefore, the pool should be kept full of water at all times. The
water acts as a protector for the liner and holds the liner in its
proper position thus eliminating any re-stretching and drying out
of the vinyl. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations concerning
the winterizing of the pump and filter.
Use a good fitting winter cover that is sealed around
the entire perimeter of the pool. An uncovered pool which
accumulates debris, such as leaves and worms risk the potential of
staining or bleaching of the liner, since the debris absorbs the
chlorine in the pool.
Do not use abrasive cleaning aids, ie; steel wool, sharp
bristled brushes, scouring pads, etc. We recommend using
alkaline base cleaning agents for cleaning the area above the water
line. Acid base chemicals can leave a residue which causes the
vinyl to dry out.
