Swimming season has ended – what should I do with the pool water?
When cooler temperatures return they mark the end of another swim season. Pool maintenance occurs mainly during summer when the pool is used the most; however, the pool should not be neglected when not in use. It should be kept in proper condition so it can be easily used during the next swim season.
The most significant conflict pool owners' face is whether to keep water in the pool - if water is left, what needs to be done? First we have to consider the safety aspect. During summer, the pool is in our focus and awareness; we frequently use it and are very conscious about the safety of everyone around it. During winter however, an open pool becomes a safety hazard not only for our family members but for guests and pets as well: if the pool is empty can we can fall into it. If it is full of water the danger of drowning is imminent. We must also not forget that untreated water may become a health risk. Empty or full, we recommend using a rigid pool cover, which protects the pool as well as the surroundings.
In colder regions where there is a risk of freezing we recommend emptying the pool from water. Frozen water expand, if water is left in the pipeline the damage is permanent. If you decided to empty the pool during winter and your system has a pH sensor, you must remove it from the pipeline and make sure it is immersed in water to protect it from drying.
Another aspect that should be considered is water saving. If we decide to empty the pool from water rather than treat the water during winter, we will have to re-fill the entire pool at the beginning of the next swim season. On the other hand, the pool is much more aesthetic compared to a pool with un-treated water. Apart from the dust that settles, there is no algae, dirt or insects in the water.
In warmer regions there is no single recommendation regarding the treatment of pool water but we do recommend keeping the basic levels of the water balanced. Treating the water will save the re-filling, will keep the pool relatively aesthetic and allow for simple pool preparation in due time.
The goal of treating pool water during winter is so keep chlorine and pH at minimal levels. When the water is cold, there is less development of bacteria, thus the consumption of chlorine is low. Resilience D and D Plus natural salt chlorinators enable the peace of mind you long for. All of Magen eco-Energy's salt systems are protected against cold water. When the systems sense that pool water reach cold temperatures they automatically reduce chlorine production. In addition to maintaining balanced water with a chlorinator we recommend periodically operating the cleaning robot and covering the pool to prevent rain or dust in the water.
Even though maintaining the pool during winter does carry with it operating costs, in the long run it's worth it. When summer is approaching, the labor heavy task of excessive cleaning of algae to prepare an untreated pool will not be on your "to do" list.
What should be done with peripheral pool equipment? If you decide to empty the pool from water, the cleaning equipment is stored during the entire season. That said it is important to keep some water in the salt system as that equipment is designed to remain with water. It is recommended to remove Ladders and other equipment and store in a dry place during winter. When considering cleaning the pool, whether it is left empty or full with water, it is important to make sure that water and debris has not set next to the suction inlets, especially the lower ones, as this could create blockage of the systems.
When another swim season begins, we recommend treating the pool hand in hand with a professional pool man of care taker. If the pool has not been treated during winter it is recommended to thoroughly clean it, alone or with the help of a professional cleaning company. Before the pool water balancing begins the pool has to be sparkly clean, without sand, debris, bugs etc. The first step should be filling the pool with water. Then the water requires balancing to be worthy of swimming, with minimal chlorine levels that destroy bacteria and balanced pH that allows for the chlorine to be effective. The salt system works long range and hard in maintaining the water at ideal levels but it is difficult for it to immediately reach the optimal levels. Therefore, we recommend at the beginning of the season to use chlorine tablets or liquid chlorine until the optimal levels are reached, then allow the salt chlorinator to maintain these values for you by adding the required amount of salt when chlorine levels drop. If Resilience D Plus is installed, don't forget to calibrate the sensors as well as replace the internal tube and non-return valve of the dosing acid pump.
