We've all been there. One day, you're swimming in your above-ground pool, enjoying a seemingly endless summer. The next day, your inbox is filled with back-to-school emails. Temperatures are dropping. There's no doubt about it: summer is coming to an end.

Generally, it is ideal to wait until the water is 12°C (55°F), wait until the temperature drops below this point to close.

For what ? Algae needs heat to grow, and cold temperatures help keep your water free of infestation. Additionally, by leaving your pool open until the temperature drops, you have plenty of time to clean, test and balance your pool before closing it.

First, if there is algae or the water is cloudy, it is necessary to treat it immediately.

1. Maintain a Ph between 7.2 and 7.6
2. Maintain water alkalinity between 100 ppm and 120 ppm
3. Maintain a reasonable chlorine level to keep it clean (around 1.0ppm)

TRICK: If you have a salt system, contact a technician, because in cold water, it will stop working. Do not hesitate to install a dummy cell and add one to two protect stick in the skimmer.

You must remove all equipment attached to the pool such as:

• The ladder or step
• The thermometer
• The solar cover (clean with mild soap and store dry)
• Lights and toys

In order to check the possibility of a leak in the pool liner (in good weather), you can draw a line at the water level on the liner which will allow you to observe if the water level drops in the following 4 days. An undetected or neglected leak can damage the pool when freezing or thawing. Repairs, if necessary, must be carried out before winterization

Remove leaves and heavy debris using a draws with deep bag . If you choose to vacuum up leaves using your pool vacuum, be careful not to block the suction line. It is recommended to use a BLUE DEVIL for large accumulations at the bottom of the pool. Carefully brush the pool walls.

Prepare water for maximum protection against winter damage:

Bring a water sample / How to properly take a water sample. Click here

Water becomes more corrosive and damaging when it is cold. Compensate by increasing the pH to 7.6 – 7.8 just before closing.

Clean your filter media with Action Filter Cleanse de Dazzle™ , following label instructions. Debris left in the filter solidifies and hardens when left on the filter media over winter, compromising filtration in the spring.

After cleaning the filter, clean your water thoroughly with a Super Pac de Jack’s magic . Add the product to the skimmer. One sachet can treat up to 80,000 liters. Digestion of organic waste and reduced phosphate levels mean your water is cleaner and less susceptible to algae growth during the winter months. This allows you to prepare your pool for spring opening in the blink of an eye

When you are ready to empty the pool, start by closing the pool skimmer so that pool suction is done only from your bottom drain (3-way valve). Turn off the pool pump and rotate the filter control lever to the WASTE position (sand filter).

Start the pool pump again and empty the pool 18” below the skimmer. Then turn off the pump when the water level is reached.

TRICK: When the water level drops below the skimmer inlet, use a garden hose in the skimmer to maintain a water level in the skimmer. This will prevent air from being sucked in and losing priming of your pump.

First, disconnect the power to the pump, remove the suction and pressure hoses. Remove and clean the basket inside.

 Important to clean and empty the pump. Afterwards, store it in a warm place.

Consider using a special box or bag for storing your pool parts. To prevent this bag from being lost or thrown away. For parts such as the filter pressure gauge or salt cell, it is best to store them indoors during the winter, where freezing is not a problem.

Start with:

• Unscrew the pressure gauge and remove the water inside.
• Remove the glass bubble, if there is one.
• Remove the cap at the bottom of the filter and do not reinstall it until next year.
• Place the controller in the Winterize position.

1. Unscrew the pressure gauge and remove the water inside.
2. Unscrew the *AIR BLEEDER*
3. Remove the cap at the bottom of the filter and do not reinstall it until next year.
4. Remove the cartridge inside, rinse off the excess and soak it in the appropriate solution ( Rapid action filter cleanse ) for 12 to 24 hours. Afterwards, rinse the filter with fresh water and store everything.

It is possible to winterize your bottom drain in several ways, some are easier and less expensive, but they can put the integrity of your pool at risk.

 Piscine Hippocampe strongly recommends that you disconnect the bottom drain of your installation (see below):

Terrain conducive to movement or questionable drainage

• Disconnect the hose from the bottom drain under the 3-way valve and the skimmer and attach the extension to it. Watch video here!

1. Attach the hose to a stake near the pool and let it protrude above it with the appropriate extension
2. Slowly pour the antifreeze **Tip** Use a sugar-based antifreeze (biodegradable), it can mix well with the water without losing its integrity and can also mix with the pool water at the start of the next season. VIEW PRODUCT HERE

3. Insert the Styrofoam tube inside the bottom drain hose, screw on the cap to secure everything in the event of a fall.

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Items:

1. Bottom drain extension kit for above-ground poolrre

2. Premium Antigel Dazzle 3.78L DAZ06012

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Simplified but risky winterization

1. Place the 3-way valve in the *CLOSE* position, to allow the antifreeze to descend by gravity directly into the bottom drain.
2. Slowly pour the antifreeze **Tip** Use a sugar-based or calcium-based (biodegradable) antifreeze, it can mix well with the water without losing its integrity and can also mix with the water in the swimming pool at the start of the next season.

3. Insert the Styrofoam tube inside the skimmer up to the base of the pool. Subsequently, you can close the 3-way valve to solidify the sausage. (A 1 ½” cap screwed with Teflon also works).

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Items:

1. Premium Antigel Dazzle 3.78L DAZ06012
2. Ethafoam for swimming pool closure
3. 1 1/2 screw cap
4. Teflon tape

First of all, you need to remove the basket and the skimmer door, take advantage of this moment to clean everything! Remember that your skimmer is at risk during the winter, please install a protective foam inside it to prevent frost from cracking it. Please obtain a protective foam for your skimmer above-ground pool.

If you have a skimmer light, please follow the next steps:

• Remove the screw cover around the skimmer.
• Remove the 2 screws holding the light.
• Don't forget to replace and tighten the screws afterwards.
• Bring the light and transformer inside warm.

Disconnect the salt cell from the control panel and connections. It is recommended to clean the cell with Pristiva salt cell cleaner , carefully following label instructions. Then store the salt cell with your other parts, indoors if possible.

TIP: Use a cellule fictive ( cell dummy) for winter or starting when the cell is not used. Protect your IntelliChlor or Ichlor salt cell from cold and startup chemicals by replacing it with this plumbing part. This will also extend its lifespan.

When it comes to winterizing your heat pump, using the right tools makes all the difference. Piscine Hippocampe provides you with blowers with the capacity to empty all types of machines. You need to *blow* the water inside the heat pump to prevent any possible freezing. Here are the recommended steps:

• Reserve the block of time for blower rental. SMS: 450-632-8680 *Blower reservation
• Make sure the breaker is closed.
• Remove the hoses going into and out of the heat pump (be careful not to lose any O’rings or parts).
• Install the blower in the *IN* position and activate everything. Please wait 1-2 minutes.
• Repeat the same operation but in the *OUT* position.
• Check with our technicians if a heat pump cover is recommended for your model.

A pool water return is always a few inches lower than your skimmer, please use this as an overflow path (OverFlow) for your pool. Follow the next steps:

• Remove the eye from the water return, please use the appropriate tool. If it is stuck (Do not use plumbing pliers)

• Please install a temporary hose to allow water to flow as far away from the pool plumbing as possible (sometimes the water return hose can do the job). This will protect the integrity of the structure.

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This closing principle reassures you when the rain or snow is too heavy and the pool tries to overflow. The water only drips further.

The following steps can be carried out after lowering the water level for winter or before.

We prefer these products to be added after the water level has lowered. By adding them after the water level has lowered, we ensure that the water discharged will have as little impact as possible on the environment. We also maximize the protection capacity of the products.

When applying these products after the water has lowered, apply them very slowly and sparingly to the edges of the deep end of the pool and be sure to brush the pool well to ensure good mixing. Do this after each product application.

The preferred method for treating the water at closing with your salt pool is as follows;

1. Prevent stains, scale formation, cloudy water and algae with Pristiva Primer . If the water has already been lowered, apply by mixing approximately 250 grams in a bucket of pool water and pouring slowly around the edges of the pool. Continue until the required amount has been mixed and applied. A 950g bottle can treat up to 80,000 liters. If the pump and filter are still working, pour slowly into the skimmer. Maintain filtration for at least one hour after application.

2. Eliminate organic waste and maintain chlorine levels during the winter months with Pristiva Premium Shock . If the water has already been lowered, apply slowly and sparingly to the edges of the pool, immediately after applying Pristiva Primer. Brush the pool immediately after application. Consider diluting Premium Shock in a bucket of water and pouring it around the edges when there is no deep part or the water is very cold. If the pump and filter are still working, Premium Shock can be added to the skimmer, immediately after adding the Primer. Again, maintain filtration for at least an hour after these applications.

Get the Pristiva salt pool winterization kit here !

The following method is for swimming pools running on chlorine or with a Minéraluxe system:

1. Destroy organic waste with Ultra Shock de Dazzle . Apply slowly and sparingly, directly into the pool, brushing immediately after application.

2. Prevent algae with Algae Clear 60 de Dazzle. A highly concentrated, non-foaming algae destroyer. Ideal for killing all types of algae commonly found in swimming pool water. Apply directly to pool water.

Get the Dazzle Premium Winterization Kit here !

The use of a net is strongly recommended to allow you to open the pool more pleasantly and much more easily. These famous nets are now very thinly braided to minimize the accumulation of dirt in the pool. Piscine Hippocampe offers 2 installations: permanent or semi-permanent.

Watch explanatory video here !

Permanent installation for winter:

You will need to bring a set of elastic bands (bungee), this will allow the net to never touch the water (the leaves do not get wet and will be swept away by the wind). This system also prevents the net from getting caught in the ice. In addition, it prevents premature wear of the net.

Install the steel cable around the pool (just below the pool finishing caps)

Install the rubber bands to form a spider web. Once correctly positioned, turn them on.

Install the net on the pool and tighten the steel cable inside the net with the tensioner.

The installation can remain on the pool all winter

Items:

1. Elastic system for above-ground pool

2. Net/Mesh for swimming pool closure

Installation semi-permanente:

Semi-permanent installation includes net only. This will touch the water (it will capture leaves and others). We strongly recommend that you remove everything before heavy frosts, otherwise the net could be damaged.

1. Net/Mesh for swimming pool closure

2. Air cushion 4′ x 5′

Once the pool is closed, heavy fall rains could increase the water level. Too high a water level, combined with freezing, damages the wall near the skimmer. It is suggested to lower the water level again to 18” below the skimmer. Make sure that rainwater and meltwater will have proper drainage, that is, that the water moves away from the pool to avoid structural damage.

Pristiva Winterization Kit or Dazzle Premium Winterization Kit

Jack’s Magic Super Pacs

Dazzle Rapid Action Filter Cleanse

Clean and Perfect or Jack’s Magic Tile Cleaner

Antigel Ice Away 5.0 Litres

Pristiva Salt Cell Cleaner (salt pool)

Dummy cell for salt system

Ethafoam

Skimmer foam

Teflon Tape

Rubber Plugs

Lubricant for O’ring

Draw deep or Blue Devil

Wall brush for swimming pool

Replacement parts if necessary (cracked basket, etc.)

Filet Mesh with elastic system

Bottom Drain Extension Kit