Properly Close Your Swimming Pool

Winterizing a pool correctly is the single most important step you will ever have as a pool owner. The most common mistake that pool owners and untrained pool companies make is draining the water below the pool returns. DO NOT DRAIN THE POOL! You may void your warranty if you do. A pool that is drained down will have a lot of undue stress on the sidewalls from ground pressure and frost. A pool that has been properly closed can remain full of water. We have been winterizing pools in Michigan for over 20 years without draining any water and have had great success. The next steps are a general guideline to correctly winterizing your pool.

STEP 1: Bring a water sample to our store for testing so we can properly balance the water before your pool is closed. Balance the water according to the water test results. Allow at least 3-4 days for water corrections. If the pool is not properly balanced before winterization, there may be staining and corrosion to the shell and plumbing as a result.

STEP 2: Locate all of your winterization supplies. This includes stand pipes, winter cover and water tubes, winterization chemicals, pool antifreeze and all necessary plugs. If this is your first season as a pool owner, you may have to purchase some of these items.

STEP 3: Remove handrails and ladders. This will help protect them from the harsh winter elements. Do not attempt to remove slides or diving boards. They are designed to remain outside year-round.

STEP 4: Brush down the floor and sidewalls of your pool. Wait for debris to settle onto floor before proceeding to step 5.

STEP 5: Vacuum any settled debris. This is VERY IMPORTANT! Any leaves, dirt or debris left on the bottom of the pool will cause staining during the off-season.

STEP 6: Thoroughly clean your filter. If you have a sand filter, backwash it. If you have a cartridge or D.E. filter, remove the element and hose it off using filter cleaner.

STEP 7: Remove and clean pump and skimmer baskets. Reinstall when clean.

STEP 8: Turn power off to all equipment, if you have an Intermatic Timer make sure you pull all the “on” pegs out of the timer. If you have a WPC-1 Timer place all switches to “off” position.

STEP 9: Remove all drain plugs from your pump, filter and heater. Once the water has drained, re-install the plugs.

STEP 10: Remove all return eyelets and massage jet inserts.

STEP 11: Connect Stand Pipe inside skimmer. Be sure that you do not cross thread it when installing.

STEP 12: Blow out all lines through the stand pipe using an air compressor or high powered shop vacuum. The return lines are simple to winterize if you are using a “Duck Plug”. If not, be sure you have a helper. All of the other lines below the water surface (massage jets, heat plus, main drains, etc.) will require a helper. Any lines above the surface (water slides, cascade, waterfalls, deck jets, etc.) can be blown out without a helper.

STEP 13: After all lines have been carefully blown out, add pool antifreeze to each line. NEVER use automobile antifreeze – IT IS TOXIC!!! Keep the empty bottles for the next step.

STEP 14: Remove the plugs from your water heater and add antifreeze. If your heater has a visible pressure switch, disconnect the copper lead line.

STEP 15: Put threaded plug in top of Stand Pipe. Put the caps on empty antifreeze bottles and place around the perimeter of Stand Pipe inside of the skimmer. This will give the freezing pool water inside of the skimmer room for expansion.

STEP 16: Install your cover. Be sure there are no tears or rips. If you are using a conventional winter cover with water tubes, be sure you do not overfill the water tubes. They are designed to be filled to 75-80% capacity to allow room for expansion when the water inside freezes. If you are using a mesh cover, be sure the straps have equal pressure. When using a solid vinyl automatic cover, be sure your pump is placed in the center of the cover and has power.

STEP 17: Last, remove plugs from the pump and filter. Store these inside your pump basket so they can be found easily in the Spring.

Swimming Pool Features Comparison

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Tips for Hiring a Pool/Spa Contractor

• Talk to a minimum of three contractors about your project. Look for firms that have been in the pool and spa building industry for at least five years.
  
• Always check past and prior financial status of potential contractor. Many pool builders are here one day and gone the next.
  
• Never allow a builder to rush you into signing a contract, and never sign a contract that you don’t understand. Don’t be embarrassed to take a few days to study a document before you sign it. Ask questions, questions, and more questions.
  
• Always make sure that a contractor is insured and licensed. Ask to see insurance certificates for both general liability and workers compensation, and a license in the name of the individual building your pool or spa. Call the insurance companies and State of Michigan’s Contractors Board to confirm validity, (517) 241-9254, or State of North Carolina Contractors Board, (919) 571-4183.
  
• Have a prepared pool/spa plan and materials list drawn up and take bids on each.
  
• Questions to ask include: Did the builder start and finish on time? Were there any surprises during the job-such as a change in price? Was it easy to get in touch with the contractor while the construction was in progress? Would you hire this contractor again?
  
• Ask to see a job being currently installed.
  
• Always check credentials and talk to references, especially the firms’ three most recent clients.
  
• Does the contractor have a place to view pools and all the equipment that they sell? It is always best to visit the contractor’s place of business before you buy!
  
• Remember that the lowest bid is not always the best. Take a critical look at all bids, estimates and offers-and make sure you get them in writing.
  
• Contact the firm’s primary material supplier to ask if the contractor pays bills on time and whether the supplier would recommend the firm.
  
• Never pay more than ten percent of the estimate as a down payment. Plan to pay the remaining amount in installments linked to the specific phases of the project.
  
• Never pay a contractor in cash. Use cashier’s checks or money orders and get a receipt.
  
• Is your pool builder a member of the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals and Better Business Bureau?
  
• Never make your final payment until you completely understand how your pool/spa and related equipment operate.
  
• Remember, the more time you spend planning your pool/spa project and checking out the credentials of your contractor, the less time you’ll spend complaining later.
  

Why Buy from Midwest Fiberglass Pools? (Part 2)

• Indoor warehouse to prep the pool- All of our pools are plumbed and inspected in an indoor warehouse for consistent quality. A pool being plumbed in the rain, snow & cold weather has a much higher failure rate. Glue and silicone must be done correctly or you will have leakage issues in the future.

• In- house service and repairs- When you have a problem with your pool you can count on one of our highly trained staff to fix the problem. Many small pool builders do not have the proper staff to fix your pool and therefore call in an outsider. A lot of these outside service companies try to up sell you items you don’t need and tell you that the part you need fixed is not covered under the warranty.
  
  
• 22,000 square foot parts department- When you need that special part chances are that we will have it in stock. Can you imagine having a problem just minutes before a huge party you have been planning for months and not be able to use the pool? Don’t take that chance. Our parts department is open 7 days a week in the Summer with many of the parts you need.
  
  
• Free water testing- Keep your pool in tip top shape 7 days a week with the help of our friendly staff. We have the latest technology to make your experience of pool water chemistry a breeze. Just simply bring in a 20 ounce sample of your water and we will provide you with a computerized print out of how to properly balance the water. This is a free service for lifetime if you purchase a pool from us.
  
  
• Manufacturer support- We have worked hard to establish many long term relationships with our pool and equipment manufacturers to ensure you will have a pleasant experience. The orders are normally shipped must faster and the products are made to our high standards. This can only happen when you are a large volume buyer like us.
  
  
• After the sale training- We give each of our customer’s comprehensive on- site training about how to properly care for your new pool. We also have periodic refresher courses to help you retain what you have learned.