Should You Use Antifreeze When Closing the Pool?

When Closing the Pool – Antifreeze?

Well, you don’t need antifreeze if you blow out the lines when closing your pool. We feel it is an unnecessary step that can cause damage if not applied right, so why do it? Instead, make sure you blow out the lines properly and thoroughly, and that is the only thing you need to do in terms of winterizing the pool pipes.

Are you ready to close the pool? It’s time! Here are some more tips you can refer to when closing your pool in just one day. Call in a professional if you need help with any or all of these tasks.

The first step is to gather all your supplies:

• Pool cover
• Water tubes
• Winter plugs
• Skimmer plugs
• Winter closing kit
• Air compressor/blower

1. Take off any ladders, railings, safety ropes, diving board and all other accessories. Store them in a dry place, such as a shed or garage. Remove eyeball fittings from return lines and take out the skimmer baskets.
2. Test the water to make sure you have a pH between 7.4 and 7.6 and alkalinity between 100ppm and 150ppm.You can take a sample yourself and bring it to your local pool store, or you can call your pool technician to come out and test it. Or, you can buy test strips to test and evaluate yourself. If you use chlorine, levels should be between one and three parts per million. If not, the sanitizer you use should be at the proper level. Balanced water will guard against corrosion and scale buildup.
3. Clean the pool: Get a pool brush and scrub down the walls and steps. Use a skimmer to get off any surface debris.
4. Add winterizing chemicals such as alkalinity/pH increaser, chlorine tablets, shock and algaecide.
5. Shock the pool at night on the day you close the pool.
6. Backwash and clean filter/pump: First, backwash the filter, then remove debris from the basket and pump. Set the filter back to the “Filter” setting on the multi-port valve.
7. Blow out the lines. This is all you need to do to winterize the lines. No antifreeze is necessary if you take this step. However, do your homework on this process, as one wrong step could lead to cracked pipes.
8. Only use swimming pool antifreeze, never car antifreeze: If you do use antifreeze, which we recommend against, always use a swimming pool antifreeze and nothing else. Remove the skimmer basket and plug, bring the water level down below the skimmer, and pour antifreeze into the skimmer’s hole.
9. Put on the safety cover: First, inspect for rips and tears, apply the cover tightly, and then secure the cover with water tubes.

If you want to know more about the closing process or have more inquiries about using antifreeze, check our blog.