Question:
I live in the Washington DC area and bought a house this summer that
has an inground pool. It is time to close the pool down and I am not
sure how this process works. I have a cover that will go on top of
the pool that will keep leaves out. My concern is with draining the
filter and the pipes that go from the pool to the filter. I assume
that I drain filter and the above ground PPC piping that is part of
the manifold system. Do I drain the pool so the water level is below
the pools skimmers and somehow drain the water in the piping between
the filter and the pool? Should I add a last dose of chemicals prior
to putting the cover on the pool?
Answer:
Your local library is bound to tell you.
1. Clean thoroughly.
2. Lower water well below pump connectors.
(E.g. if you get 15 inches of rain over the winter
it would be unwise to keep water level within
20 inches of the connectors.)
3. Disassemble, drain and store the pump
and all associated piping.
5. I use no chemicals over the winter because
I have to drain half the water (rain and snowmelt.)
This season I followed for the first time the
Aquapro routine (1 = balance pH, 2 = stabilize,
3 = chlorinate) and have excellent results, at
costs about 1/3 less than before.
