Opening Procedure List

      1.  Balance the pool water:

           Have a computerized water analysis done to completely balance the water. Adjust total alkalinity, pH, calcium hardness and stabilizer. Remember a properly balanced pool is less damaging in the winter and easier to clean come springtime. Always pre-dissolve chemicals to keep from staining the surface.

      2.  Vacuum the pool:

                        For In-ground Pools:

                        You may vacuum the pool to waste or backwash till water level is one inch (1”)             below the skimmer. This is basically where the water level is left for the winter. If       the customer has potential floating liner problems or vinyl lined walk in steps, or         a high water table, do not drain below lines or skimmer. Just vacuum the pool as               normal.

                        For Concrete Pools or Pools with Cantilever Coping:

                        Drain water to 10”-15” below coping.  This is to protect tile and coping from     winter freeze damage. (See service technician if you have any questions.)

                        For Above Ground Pools:

                        Water level should be just below the skimmer.

      3.  Remove directional flow, grates, jet fittings, and skimmer baskets.

           Flush clean and store in bag for the ease of locating in the spring. Organize the pool                                 storage area, if needed. Clean the waterline with Tile Line Cleaner

      4.  Backwash, clean and drain filter:

                        Sand filters:  Backwash, then go to rinse, then to filter and if necessary, add filter

                        cleaner following direction.  Take drain plug out of bottom of filter, leave drain                                             plug    out, open air relief valve and store plugs in motor basket for winter.

                        Diatomaceous Earth Filters:  Disassemble filter, marking where bump handle (if                                applicable) lines up on filter tank. Flush elements and tank. Be sure tank is empty.                            Clean filter elements with Filter Cleaner. Flush out thoroughly and __                                                       put back together.  Store filter in a dry area.

                        Cartridge Filter: Take apart, flush out and clean cartridge with Filter Cleaner.                         

                        and store.

Never store a dirty filter, since deposits and scale may harden and cake over the winter – leaving you a tough repair or clean-up job in the spring.

For Diatomaceous Earth Filters and Cartridge Filters, it is a good idea to have filters cleaned professionally at least every other year.

      5.  Drain Motor by turning upside down or removing plugs.

           Store motor in warm, dry area for winter. Grease all drain plugs and threaded holes and                          ball valves. Lubricate, grease, vaseline: nuts, bolts, o-rings, washers and gaskets. If filter                              or motor is stored outside for the winter, cover it with plastic and tie down.  (Be sure to                             leave all drain plugs out of sandfilters.) Add antifreeze to motor unit until antifreeze _                        comes out of all plug areas. Replug.

      6.  Blow out lines from filter to pool.

                        Return lines and low suction lines – Using vacuum cleaner on exhaust or a                                blower, blow out lines till you can see all the water has cleared itself from the                                               pipe and only air is left coming out. Quickly plug fitting tightly using a #9 plug.                                           Add antifreeze to filter area (1 gallon per line) and then cover pipe opening with                                           plastic or the like.

                        Skimmer lines – Blow water back into pool and sponge out skimmer to

                        be sure no water is left in pipe. Add antifreeze to pipe. Install tall gizzmo into                                    skimmer     and add 4” of antifreeze around gizzmo. Once again, cover pipe with                                         plastic. If water level is not drained below skimmer, blow out the same way as                                         return lines only using gizzmo instead of plug. Add antifreeze to water around                                      gizzmo.

                                For Above Ground Pools – Use smaller gizzmo and, if possible, just remove                                  hoses from return fitting and bottom of skimmer and store for the winter. This                                               would make it unnecessary to blow out the lines. An Above Ground skimmer                                            plate should be used on the face of the skimmer.

                        Bottom returns or Main Drain – Add as much antifreeze as possible to pipe and                                       cover with plastic. Other procedures can be followed. Please contact service                                               technician for more details.

      7.  Pool Heaters:

                        Turn off three (3) gas valves:

                        1) silcock near outside of heater;

                        2) pilot turned off;

                        3) valve at gas tank also closed.

           Remove or open all drain plugs and allow water to drain out. Vaseline all plugs and                                 fittings. Add antifreeze until it runs out of drain plugs and then re-close drain plugs.                             Unthread inside copper line at pressure switch and leave unattached for the winter. Wrap                                 the top, only, of the heater in plastic being sure to cover all openings. This will keep out __                         any rain, debris and rodents. Cover with plywood if necessary. Turn off power, if _____________                                     applicable.

Note:  If wanted, burner trays can be removed for winter, however, the State of Connecticut requires a licensed individual to do so. If this is done it should be stored in plastic and all wires and connections marked for easier spring re-assembly. This procedure is not required and is only a precaution. Call us for details.

      8.  Chlorinators: Should be drained and flushed out. If pool has an ozonator, it should be

           disconnected and stored in a warm, dry area.

      9.  Remove

           Ladders, diving board and handrails. Rinse with clear water and store diving boards flat or                            sideways on a 2x4 off the ground. Lubricate all exposed nut and bolt areas, especially                                 ladder anchors. Slides are left outside with tubing drained out.

      10. Skim Pool:

           Store summer goods (pole, vac hose, skimmers and all pool accessories in one area.) Be                                    sure vac hoses are empty and clean. Automatic cleaners should also be stored for the                                    winter. Always remember to store cleaner hose in straight lengths. Never roll them up.

      11. Pool Lights:

              Remove and secure on pool bottom unless the light is 50% lower than the coping.                                         Example: most vinyl liner pools, the lights stay in for the winter; most gunite pools, the                                 light must be removed by dropping the light to the bottom.

      12. Solar Blankets: Clean with “Cover Cleaner. Dry, fold and store in a warm dry place.

      13. Pool water:

                        For Chlorine type pools – Add winter shock and winter algaecide. Follow                                                      instructions on back of containers for proper amounts.  Example:  Above ground                                                     pools generally take one (1) winterkit, 16x32 is the same, 18 x36 takes one (1)                                                 winterkit plus misc.

                        For Peroxide pools- add one quart of Peroxide algaecide per 25,000 gallons, one                                                                                                 gallon of Clarifier per 10,000 gallons and bring Peroxide bacteriacide to 50ppm.

                         It is a good idea to circulate the water in the pool with your motor if possible. If         

                         not possible, then be sure to spread the chemicals evenly around the entire pool.

                         If no cover is used, increase the chemicals used.

      14. Install cover onto swimming pool:

                                Above Ground Pools: Inflate “Ice Expansion Pillow” (or pillows) with air pump                                               or vacuum cleaner. Do not overfill. Secure pillow in center of the pool using                                                   nylon cords or fishing line. Do not draw cords tight. Allow slack for pillow to rise                                         and fall as the water freezes and melts. The purpose of the bubble is to absorb ice                                                  expansion. Instead of the water freezing and pushing outwards on the wall, it will    

                        push on the pillow, which helps absorb this pressure. Be sure not to use too many                                             pillows since it will take up some of the slack. Check top cap connectors for                                                 rough or sharp edges that may damage the cover. Cover any sharp areas before                                                putting on the cover. Drape your pool cover over the pool and pillow(s), allowing                                                    it to float on the water. Pull the cover slack down the sides of the pool. The                                                  principal is that the snow and weight will pull the slack out of your cover, so the                                                      more slack the better. Secure the cover cable around the pool but do not string                                                           cable behind or through pool uprights. It should sit outside of the pool structure to                                              allow for movement. Milk jugs are sometimes used to help hold cover in place,                                                       but this is not recommended unless you are in an extremely windy area.

Note: During winter, if the snow load gets to be too much and removal of such is not possible then the best alternative is to loosen the cover cable and release the tension on the pool and the cover. This procedure, however, is only used as a last resort.

                                In-Ground Pools: Install the cover trying for 2 feet (plus) overlap. Be sure cover                                              is neat, secure and tied down where deemed necessary. Water bags should be ¾                                                      full and pulled tight together. If walk-in steps are present, please add a 4’x8’ sheet                                       of weatherized plywood before putting cover down. Never use blocks or heavy                                                     articles to hold down cover since they could end up being pulled into the pool.

Note:  It is important to pump or siphon off the cover as water builds up on it during the fall and spring.  Add an adequate amount of powdered (5-8lbs.) or liquid chlorine to the water on top of your cover and pump the water back into your pool.

                        Peroxide pools: Use Peroxide Clarifier instead of chlorine.

                                Gunite/concrete pools, fiberglass or vinyl pools with cantilever coping,: Keep the                                               water level the same as when it was closed (10”-15” +/- below coping).  If you                                                   have a mesh cover it may be necessary to drain the water down slightly as                                                                 opposed to pumping it under the cover in order to achieve the proper water level.                                                    Vinyl pools with vinyl steps, it is preferred to keep the top step slightly covered                                                   by the water level.  In all cases, try to keep the water level close to where it was                                                  when closing the pool.

      15.Disconnect all fuses:

           Switches and circuit breakers should be turned off. Time clocks should be off with tongs                               disconnected. Mark down the settings. All gates should be closed to prevent intrusions.

           Final Check:  Clean pool house and equipment area.Filter pump and equipment must be

           stored in a dry environment. NEVER are they to be left outside!

      16. Fill out completion sheet and leave Questionnaire. Put yellow service sticker on                               equipment.

      17. Note: If additional repairs are necessary please make a note of  this on paper work.                       Please notify homeowner that the repairs will be billed separately & get approval for                            them.