We consider the swimming season in the uncovered pools to be over, it is time to start the winterization that will keep the water in good condition for the next nine months.
The bathing season is over and winter is approaching. The pool needs some care during the summer and preparation at the end of the season to make it easier to start up close to spring. This preparation is carried out through wintering. This process consists of carrying out various works to prepare the facilities for the winter inactivity season (removing stairs, protecting showers, etc.) and applying some chemical products to treat and preserve the properties of the water correctly. This reduces maintenance and start-up costs for the next season. It is important to choose a good pool treatment depending on its size, the volume of water it contains, the installation, the location and the type of use given to it.
The start date varies depending on the climate and the geographical location where the pool is located. Normally, the wintering process should not begin until the water temperature drops below 15 ºC. They last approximately nine months. Carrying out wintering at an inappropriate time of year, treating the water with winterizing chemicals and the consequent reduction in filtration time, can result in the appearance of algae and the proliferation of organisms in the water.
THE TWO OPTIONS
We can act in two different ways. One is to discard wintering when the poor condition of the water does not allow it to be acted upon or recovered for new use. The other consists of carrying out the wintering process.
Option 1 - Empty the pool and replace the water
This occurs when, for reasons of saturation, we are unable to recover the water and the only solution is to empty the water from the pool and refill it. Typically, this happens in cases where the value of total dissolved solids (TDS) exceeds 2,000 ppm, or when levels of cyanuric acid (the stabilizer used in stabilized chlorines) reach 100-150 ppm. Both situations may coincide or we may encounter other combinations of chemical saturation. In this case, the water cannot be used.
To act, we must wait for the water temperature to reach less than 15 ºC. Next, we will dose it with copper sulfate , which will act as an effective and very economical algaecide , and a little chlorine. As it is necessary to empty the pool, we should not worry about health problems caused by applying copper sulphate in excessive doses, as the pool will be filled again. Once the pool is empty, all elements that are part of the installation must be thoroughly cleaned. If during cleaning you notice that the tank material has cracks or fissures, take the opportunity to carry out the necessary repairs. Then proceed to fill the pool. The disinfectant is then applied, then adding an algaecidal product and a flocculant.
Option 2 - Wintering Process
Wintering has two important advantages:
conditioning the installation to protect it from the rigors of winter and inactivity; and the use of water as a scarce resource. This involves conditioning a swimming pool by applying certain chemical products to the water that preserve its properties and reduce maintenance costs, as well as putting it into operation during the next swimming season. The process also includes certain installation preparation work, such as removing stairs, protecting showers, etc. It is a simple process but varies depending on the water treatment system used in the pool (chlorine, ozone, ionization, bromine, oxygenation, electrolysis, etc.). When it comes to pools treated with chlorine, the winterization process requires some guidelines to be followed:
- check that the water temperature is below 15 ºC.
- clean the entire bottom and walls of the pool.
- wash the filter (approx. 5 min.).
- analyze the water and adjust the pH level .
- carry out shock chlorination that will eliminate any microorganisms that may remain in the water.
To avoid discoloration of the coating, it is best to use a float that will keep the water moving or introduce the chlorine directly into the skimmers. It is best to let the chlorine act for at least 6 hours before proceeding to the next step.
- With the pool filter in operation, add the winterizer in the indicated dose and evenly.
- Then we stop the circulation of water in the pool, closing the injectors, skimmers and bottom drains.
- Measure pH levels again. Remember that the winterizer must be applied twice, the first time when starting the winterization process and the second half of the winter season (January/February).
SWIMMING POOLS WITH SALT CHLORINATION
If the water temperature is higher than 15°C, keep the equipment running long enough (the lower the temperature, the shorter the filtration time) to maintain the residual chlorine level between 0.5 and 1.0 ppm, adjusting the pH between 7.2-7.4, manually or automatically. If the water temperature is below 15°C, electrically disconnect the electrolysis equipment, remove the chlorine generating cell, clean it with electrolytic cell descaler and eliminate any scale that may be clinging to the plates. Then, store the chlorine generating cell in a dry place protected from adverse weather conditions. If you have pH or pH/Rx control and regulation equipment, we must remove the electrodes and protect them appropriately. Lastly, we will follow the classic wintering treatment.
WHAT PRODUCT TO USE?
Winterizers are easy to apply products and work very efficiently. They are normally universal for use in any type of pool with or without a cover, requiring no further maintenance during the winter. Generally, the formula varies, but it is a compound formulated with disinfectant agents (chlorine, benzalkonium chloride, etc.), algaecides (copper sulfate, quaternary ammonium, etc.), a metal remover (to avoid calcification, for example), in addition to other products.
