Hot Tubs and Saunas, Pool Closing and Winterizing

Don’t Put Away Your Bathing Suit Yet

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Dips in the backyard swimming pool may be getting chillier by the day, but there’s no reason to stow away your bathing suit yet when you can still enjoy soaking in the luxurious warmth of a hot tub.  My preference is the portable variety.  Portable hot tubs and spas offer a number of advantages over more permanent hot tubs.  Here are just a few…

Two of the most significant advantages of portable hot tubs and spas are their size and easy set up. They are generally smaller than traditional spas and can fit into tighter spaces. There’s no need to clear a significant area in the yard or on the deck in order to house the structure. Because of their smaller size and clever construction, most set up in only a few minutes — some are inflatable and come equipped with their own inflating device, while others have insulated panels that connect together. Setting up and transporting portable spas is so easy that you can even take them along on vacations and even to the homes of friends and family.

One of my favorite advantages of the portable hot tub is also the most practical one.  Portable hot tubs and spas plug into a standard household outlet. Traditional varieties operate on hard wired, GFCI-protected 220-240 volt 50 amp circuits. These circuits need to be installed by a qualified electrician. Portable spas, on the other hand, have a GFCI built into the end of the cord, so they can plug directly into a standard 110-120 volt outlet.

Thanks to the humble portable hot tub, you can winterize your swimming pool without mourning the passage of another summer season.  Keep your bathing suit handy throughout the winter, and enjoy a bubbly soak whenever you wish.

Pool Accessories, Pool and Spa Equipment, Pool Closing and Winterizing, Pool Equipment Storage

Pool Storage Solutions for Fall and Winter

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Cedar Storage Shed for Pool Equipment

Store your pool equipment in a Storage Shed

Very soon, it will be time to close your pool for the season. You are probably already stocking up on pool chemicals, covers, and closing accessories. Another important closing season consideration – Where will you store your supplies? Pool floats, chemicals, and other pool accessories need a home for the off season. Below are several options that you can use to organize your pool area and have everything ready for next spring.

  • Raft, Float, and Towel Caddy – This handy tool is perfect for the storage of pool toys and floats. It is made of sturdy PVC and can be put together in minutes. It is great for rafts, “noodles”, toys, etc.
  • Pool Pantry – This organizer is so compact and efficient that you will wonder how you survived without it. It is lightweight and sturdy. It comes with a cover and accessory bag and holds multiple floats.
  • Pool Deck Box – Made of durable resins, this storage box will endure many seasons as it keeps your pool gear dry and out of the sun. Great for pool toys, chemicals, hoses, or even patio cushions in the fall. It eliminates clutter and features wheels for easy moving.
  • Looking for something bigger? A cedar storage shed is the solution. It will create the perfect pool side cabana to store everything! Floats, chemicals, cleaning equipment, and more can be tucked away safe, secure, and dry until next spring.
Pool Accessories, Pool and Spa Maintenance, Pool Closing and Winterizing

Preparing Your Above Ground Pool for Winter

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Above Ground Winter Pool Cover

The end of swimming season is near, and it’s time to begin preparing for winterizing the above ground swimming pool.  Here is a handy guide for preparing your pool for the winter season:

Step 1
Before closing your pool, make sure the water is chemically balanced. Adjust the chemical levels if necessary. Chemically balanced water protects the pool from corrosion or scale buildup that can occur while the pool is not in use. Your chemical levels should be as follows:

  • pH: 7.2 – 7.6
  • Alkalinity: 80 – 120 parts per million
  • Calcium Hardness: 175 – 250 parts per million
  • Chlorine: 1 – 3 parts per million

Step 2
Remove all deck equipment, including ladders, stairs, etc.

Step 3
Brush down the sides and floor of your pool and then vacuum.  This step prevents staining, which can occur if any dirt or debris is left to sit in the pool.

Step 4
Add winterizing chemicals by broadcasting them into the deep end of the pool.  These chemicals help protect water quality during the off season months.

Step 5
Clean the filter, skimmer, and pump basket. Remove all unused chlorine product from the chlorinator. Cartridge filter elements and D.E. grids should be cleaned and stored. If you have a sand filter, backwash it.

Step 6
Some people insert a skimmer guard into the skimmer and plug the return line. Others lower the water in the pool below the returns (where the water jets into the pool) and the skimmer. Either method is fine — the choice made is based on personal preference. NEVER COMPLETELY DRAIN A POOL! This can cause your above ground pool to collapse.

Step 7
If your pool is plumbed with detachable, flexible hoses, remove them and store for the winter. Remove all drain plugs from the pump, filter tank, and any other pool equipment. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific equipment. Place all drain plugs in the pump basket for storage.

If your pool is hard plumbed, use an air compressor or shop vac (attached to the blower side of the vac) to blow water out of the system by forcing air down the skimmer and through the plumbing.

Step 8
If you are using an air pillow, inflate it by using a shop vac. Tie the air pillow at two places and position it in the center of the pool. Tie strings to the pool wall so the pillow will not move during installation of the pool cover. Air pillows are commonly used, but not absolutely necessary. They are a good idea in colder climates in case the water freezes and expands. The water will freeze inwards on the pillow instead of outwards which can potentially damage the pool wall. Pillows are NOT used to create a dome-like effect to keep rain off of the cover.  Rain water will always settle around the pillow.

Step 9
Place an above ground pool winter cover over the pool surface, black side down.  Some homeowners who have children or pets prefer to cover the pool with a safety cover over the winter.

If covering your pool with a winter cover, place the cover over the pool, then thread the cable through the loops or grommets. Use the winch provided with the cover to tighten the cable.

If your above ground pool has a deck, place wall bags end to end around the edge of the pool. Fill the bags 3/4 full with water.  Do not over-fill because the bags could burst when the water inside freezes.  Never use bricks, concrete blocks, etc. to secure the cover because they can damage your pool cover or your pool.

Step 10
Place a cover pump in the center of your pool cover to drain excess water accumulation.  Too much water on top of the cover can cause the cover to rip, or it can pull the cover and wall bags into the pool.  Either way, you’re in for a messy cleanup effort.

Planning now for winterizing will help make the process go faster and easier once the time to winterize has arrived.  Until then, though, enjoy the remaining days of summer warmth in the refreshing comfort of your above ground pool.

Pool Closing and Winterizing

Keep Your Winter Cover Firmly In Place

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Cover Clips
If you have an above ground pool, you probably have a winter cover. Now is the time to start thinking about the best possible ways to hold your cover in place this winter to ensure that your pool stays clean and protected. There are several methods available to hold your cover securely in place. Here are the tools that we suggest:

  • Cover Clips – These handy fasteners are tough! They grip your top rail like a clothes pin and hold your cover on tightly. Cover clips keep your above ground pool’s cover in place and helps reduce the wear and tear on a winter cover from wind damage. Use two clips per upright or approximately every 16 to 18 inches.
  • Cover Loc Jr. – If you are looking for a stronger hold that regular cover clips can offer, you should consider the Cover Loc Jr. system. It offers deluxe two-part cover locks that will not pull off in the strongest winter winds. Just snap together the 5″ male and female clips and your cover will stay firmly secured. They are perfect for high wind areas.
  • Winter Cover Seal – In addition to cover clips, winter cover seal is a great option for keeping your cover in place. It offers a very simple solution to keep the wind from getting under your winter cover and causing damage and premature wear and tear. Its unique blend of tough poly-blend film wraps around your pool to seal out gusty winds. The secret to Cover Seal is a special blend of resins that enables this unique material to stretch and hold tightly over a long period of time, even during extreme cold weather. Cover Seal is also packed with U.V. inhibitors so that the sun will not weaken it.
Pool and Spa Maintenance, Pool Closing and Winterizing

Prevent Autumn Leaves from Turning into Springtime Mess

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Now is the time to start thinking about getting a leaf net, if you don’t already have one.  What is a leaf net? Leaf nets are lightweight covers made of an open weave material that fits over your winter cover or solar cover and helps you avoid accumulations of wet, heavy, saturated leaves and twigs on top of your swimming pool. Leaf nets ensure faster removal of leaves and help prolong the life of your winter or solar cover.

Leaf nets can be used in any season, but they are especially helpful in autumn when leaves are the most problematic for swimming pools.  The open weave allows water to pass through the net but will block twigs and other natural debris. Leaf nets make spring pool cover removal much easier and less messy.