As winter approaches, and in any case as soon as the water temperature is below 12°C, it’s time to think about winterizing your pool. This is essential to preserve the quality of the water but also the structure of the pool as well as all of its equipment. Whether we opt for thepassive wintering or for theactive wintering, it is fundamental to respect different stages. Let’s discover these two methods of wintering, the main steps that are necessary, their advantages and their disadvantages.
Which pools need to be winterized?
Wintering is mandatory for all outdoor swimming pool as long as it is not dismantled in order to be stored in a room during the off season. On the other hand, it is not necessary to winterize an inflatable swimming pool since it is deflated to store it, a self-supporting swimming pool which is also sheltered until the next beautiful season. Wintering does not apply either to swimming pools built under a swimming pool enclosure.
Why do we advise against emptying the pool?
Completely emptying the swimming pool is only necessary in rare cases (renovation for example). To overwinter its pond, it is on the contrary very risky to run it dry. Let’s not forget that once completely empty – the inground pool is under the pressure of the ground – it risks being unstable and subsequently no longer being perfectly buried. And if a swimming pool movesthe coating is damaged and fissures appear on the walls.
Precautions to take before wintering
It is imperative to clean your pool from top to bottom before putting it into winter. This concerns the walls and the bottom of the pool, the filter and the pre-filter, the skimmer baskets without forgetting the water line, the stairs… If this precaution is not taken, the pool will be even more clogged. when it is restarted, which can only be done after a vigorous scrubbing session. The idea is therefore to facilitate the return to service of the pool and to preserve all these components.
The different types of swimming pool wintering
There are two ways to protect your pool in winter: passive wintering and active wintering. It is up to everyone to choose the most appropriate to their situation, which is generally dictated by the climat local.
Passive wintering: it is essential in regions with harsh or at-risk winters
This is to completely stop the operation of the swimming pool. This involves taking the precaution of empty the entire filtration circuit so that there is no more water in the filter, the pump, the pipes, then to empty a little water so that the level is found below the broom socket and the nozzles. These precautions are essential to protect the pipes, in the event of severe frost, against the risk of deterioration. In regions with harsh winters, it is also better to think about insulate your pipes.
For successful passive wintering, the water must be treated and the filter left to run without interruption for a minimum of 24 hours so that the water in the pool is ultra clean before it is put to rest. Then stay at lower the water level, to stop the filtration system so that the pipes do not explode in the event of freezing. The nozzles can be equipped with wintering plugs and it is preferable to pour wintering products into the pool water (anti-limestone, anti-algae), which are essential to limit the risk of scale and the development of algae, bacteria and others. In addition, the installation of a swimming pool cover protects the pool against the accumulation of plant debris, for example.
Passive wintering is best suited to swimming pools installed in cold regions, especially if the filtration circuit is not frost-free. It is also the best solution for swimming pools which equip second homes when these are only occasionally occupied. Indeed, the fact of no longer having to take care of your swimming pool during the winter is reassuring if you are not there.
However, it is preferable tointervene from time to time (or to entrust this task to a neighbor in the event of prolonged absence) to check the condition of the pool but also to remove snow, dead leaves and other plant debris that have accumulated on the cover. In case of overweight, it tends to sag and it can deteriorate. Visiting regularly also allows you to check the color of the pool water.
Passive wintering takes a long time to set up, and putting the pool back into service takes time because a major cleaning is required when spring arrives. It also costs more than in the case of active wintering because a significant quantity of product must be used during this reactivation.
Dynamic wintering or active wintering: sufficient in regions with mild winters
This pool shut-down is also called semi-wintering. This involves leaving the filtration running for 2 or 3 hours every day until it is put back into service. This slow-motion operation makes it possible to keep the water moving so that it does not freeze in the pipes or in the pump in the event of severe frost. Putting a cover on the pool is not mandatory, but it is strongly recommended because this accessory protects the water and the pool from dirt.
If he opts for this wintering method, the owner of the pond must intervene diligently throughout the winter. For example, he must pour a wintering product into the pool water and repeat this operation if necessary. He must regularly check whether the rate of disinfectant is sufficient, the potential hydrogen (PH) of the water, clean the pool and do not forget to empty the skimmer baskets. It is equally mandatory to open the skimmers to create a stir or water movements as this prevents it from freezing. It is advisable to program the frost protection device so that below a pre-established temperature, the pump starts automatically.
Whether you opt for passive wintering or active wintering, you can very well entrust the task to the swimming pools. Just contact him to find out about the terms he offers. A swimming pool is an expensive piece of equipment. It is therefore very important to to take care during periods of activity but also when it is put to rest. This allows you to benefit for many years from the bathing pleasures in his private swimming pool and to avoid unnecessary expenses to repair the damage in the event of negligence.