Winterizing: Too Cool for Swimming Pool!
The different teams at SwimSafe have been busy the past few months winterizing clients’ pools. What exactly does that mean? It is a critical process that helps to lower the possibility of damage to the pool and freshwater plumbing systems as we approach the freezing temperatures. Winterizing a pool is a preventive action that SwimSafe offers to all managed pools.
Winterizing is a two-step process. The first phase is all about closing your facility down for the summer and preparing it for the harsher weather we will soon be having. We will put any available pool safety covers on and clear the pool deck of any movable furniture to prevent any weather damage. Before we put the covers on for the winter, we perform a final chemistry check on the pool. This ensures that there are sufficient levels of calcium and chlorine in the pool, the alkalinity is in range, and that algaecide has been added. We will turn off any water services we can, and again break down what we can and let water drain out. This involves sinks, water heaters, showers, bathrooms, and the actual pool plumbing systems.
Phase two is clearing any remaining water in the pool systems by use of either a blower or a larger, heavier-duty air compressor. Blowers are often used on the baby pools, while the compressors are reserved for larger pools and freshwater plumbing. Antifreeze is then flushed through the system to further prevent any freezing damage. Skimmers and return jets are plugged to prevent water from entering back into the system as drained pools will fill up with rainwater and meltwater from the snow. SwimSafe performs monthly checks to ensure the pool pumps and motors are in good working order, the facilities are still clean, and your pools’ chemistry is still in range. At the end of the day, winterization is all about ensuring the safety and operability of your facilities over the winter months.
VIDEO PROVIDED BY JAKE GRACE
The attached video demonstrates how SwimSafe staff would blow a baby pool. In this segment, an air compressor is being used to clear a baby pool plumbing system of the remaining water.
