How to winterize an above ground pool.
Above ground pool water level for winter.
Most pool professionals agree that the water level in both in ground and above ground pools should be at the midpoint of the pool skimmer.
Properly winterizing your pool will protect your equipment from ice damage keep your water clean and will help save you time and money when opening your pool in the spring.
Due to the mechanics of how a vinyl liner is installed into an inground pool this water level represents the normal safe level beyond which you can expect to damage.
Winterizing your pool may seem complicated but with a little preparation it can be.
The skimmer is responsible for providing a pathway for water to flow to the filter where it is cleaned.
The desired ph is between 7 2 and 7 6 and the alkalinity should be between 80 and 120 parts per million or ppm.
This depends on the type of pool.
When to winterize your above ground pool depending on where you live your closing times will vary.
In addition it is preferable to leave the a good water level in the pool with rain and snow.
You must keep at minimum a few inches of water usually six to 12 inches is safe covering the floor of the shallow end of the pool at all times.
But as a rule if temperatures typically drop and stay below 65 f 18 c during the off season wait until the temperature falls below that point to close.
Water enters the skimmer and moves to the filter through hoses or pipes and back out from the filter into the pool through return jets.
Above ground pool for above ground pool it is best to lower the water up to 18 below the skimmer.
Adjusting the chemical levels in your above ground pool helps balance the water and protects your pool from scale buildup and corrosion.
The calcium should measure between 175 and 250 ppm and the chlorine level should read between one and three ppm on a test strip.
The skimmer is also a resting place for larger pieces of dirt and debris that are blocked by a skimmer basket.
If you have an inground vinyl liner swimming pool then you have a minimum safe water level that you must observe at all times.
As the summer winds down it is time to start getting your pool ready for the cold winter months.
Therefore it is necessary to lower the water level at the close at a certain level.