1. Take a water sample to your authorized dealer for a complete water analysis. Follow your dealer's instructions to balance the water as needed.
2. Clean the pool by brushing the walls, skimming the water surface and vacuuming the pool bottom. Clean pool wall tile and vinyl with cleaner. Empty pump and skimmer baskets.
3. Clean or backwash the filter according to the manufacturer's instructions using a filter cleaner and degreaser following the label's instructions.
4. Protect your pool water using a shock treatment per label instructions. Run the pump for several hours to disperse the product thoroughly.
5. Protect your pool against algae with the addition of an algaecide per label instructions. Then add a product to remove metal contaminants from the water as per label instructions. Run pump for several hours to disperse product.
6. Lower the water in the pool down to the level recommended by the manufacturer for winterizing.
7. Drain water from equipment such as pump, filter, heater, chlorinator, hoses and pipes as recommended by the manufacturer. Ask your dealer if you should protect the pipes and equipment with a non-toxic, swimming pool antifreeze. Ladders, chlorinator (if offline model), pump and skimmer baskets should be stored.
8. Cover the pool using a quality cover to prevent leaves, dirt and debris from accumulating in the pool.
After consulting your dealer, you may decide to leave your pool open during the winter months. If so, the following are recommended at a minimum:
1. Operate the pump at least several hours a day or continously if the temperature gets down to freezing.
2. Maintain normal pH and minimum free chlorine levels.
3. Keep the pool free of leaves, dirt, and debris.
pool care guide > professional care
