www.swimmingpoolnews.co.uk
prepare the water for colder weather. Aquatrac is the UK's top safety cover manufacturer and at this time of year puts the focus on heat retention, safety and the winter debris aspects of its covers.
The Aquatrac automatic safety cover was developed in the UK over 20 years ago and was designed primarily to provide safety for domestic pools whose owners were being made aware for the first time of the safety implications of covers. The market has changed and developed and with it the Aquatrac cover is seen as a vital part of the winter preparation of a cover.
The business was keen to have a strong visual reminder of just how much strength and safety the cover could provide and it’s almost a trademark for the company now of the startling image which shows a Rolls Royce in place on top of the cover.
Dave Grantham, the Sales Manager: “The famous Rolls Royce photo was a genuine test to prove the cover beyond question. “I think regarding heat retention, the solar benefits of the covers have changed the way customers look at what we are providing. Of course they are interested in the safety aspects but it’s environmental issues and saving costs which are as important now,” he added. “We believe now that our covers can reduce carbon emissions by up to 80% just by preventing heat loss from an uncovered pool. The automatic covers mean pool owners can quickly get the cover over the pool,” he added.
“Once upon a time pool covers only fitted certain accepted pool shapes but now there’s a cover for any shape and size – even infinity pools. That’s how the market has grown and we believe will continue to grow.”
Water treatment is the key to closing the pool. It is important so that the water doesn’t become corrosive when the temperature drops to the freezing point or below. Balance the water’s pH, calcium hardness and total alkalinity. Chemically treat the water with a sanitiser, stabiliser and algaecide or treat with the recommended amount of winterising chemicals.
After closing the valve on the skimmer line, you should lower the water level to about 18 inches below the pool’s coping. How far you lower the level depends on your type of pool. Step 4 suggests water levels according to different types of pool covers. To be certain, check the instructions or website of your pool cover manufacturer.
“It is necessary to correct the balance of the pool water and add a good quality long-life winter algaecide,” explains Dominic Adams of Golden Coast. “If a frost stat is not fitted, a full drain down of the filtration system is required. Winter debris equipment must also be fitted, and if particularly cold weather is expected, ice protectors should be floated in the pool.”
WinterShutdown OCT 2010 SPN
Over wintering pool kits have commonly contained chlorine-based chemicals. Chlorine has been a popular chemical for swimming pool maintenance because it is highly effective at killing bacteria and other contaminants. However, more people are turning to alternatives, ones which don’t contain chlorine. The main reasons behind these evolving preferences have to do with the fact that chlorine can interfere with the effectiveness of algaecides and also has a tendency to stain, bleach and damage pool liners. On the other hand, there are non-chlorine based pool chemicals which are still effective at keeping swimming pools clean without interfering with algaecides or causing damage to pool walls or liners.
Selecting the right chemicals for above- ground pools is extremely important, it’s also very important to add the chemicals to your swimming pool in the right way. If you are using any granular winterising pool chemicals, you should mix them in a bucket to ensure that they are completely dissolved prior to adding them to your swimming pool. By doing this, you will prevent any undissolved granules from settling on the bottom of your swimming pool where they could end up staining or bleaching your liner. After you have poured any fully dissolved granular chemicals or any liquid chemicals into your above-ground swimming pool, you should then test the pH levels and total alkalinity of the pool water. Then you should adjust those levels as necessary.
Outdoor swimming has a set season. In recent years either through lack of knowledge or a poor set of proceedures pool owners have been suffering from hefty repair bills through not following the simple set of rules which puts the pool to bed – and make opening the pool in April or May simpler. spn
i FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
F AQUATRAC ( 01268 571515 :
www.aquatrac.co.uk F CERTIKIN ( 01993 778855 :
www.certikin.co.uk F COMPLETE POOL CONTROLS ( 01242 662700 :
www.cpc-chemicals.co.uk F FAIRLOCKS ( 01865 988346 :
www.fairlocks.co.uk F GOLDEN COAST ( 01271 378100 :
www.goldenc.com F SUMMIT LEISURE ( 01264 850001 :
www.summitleisure.co.uk
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A 10 POINT
WINTER ACTION PLAN
If you see shutting down your pool for the winter as an annual chore then here’s a 10 point guide to the things you will need to think about: 1 Backwash the filter and remove any debris from the pump strainer, skimmers and pool water surface.
2 Check the pH and adjust it to as close as you can to 7.2.
3 Shock dose with an unstabilised chlorine to kill any algae and harmful organisms that may be present. Allow the water to circulate for 3-4 hours to ensure thorough mixing.
4 Close the valve/s from the skimmer/s and lower the water to 5-7cm below the skimmer level. It is important not to lower the water level too much. This is important if there is a naturally high water table as it could present structural hazards to the pool shell.
5 Remove ladders, diving boards and summer covers, clean them with fresh water, dry them and store them away from extremes of temperature. You may wish to consider a roller storage cover.
6 Switch off and isolate the power supply.
7 Drain the water from the pump, filter and heating taking care to retain any rings from the unions.
8 Leave valves above water level open, those below water level should be closed and protected against frost damage.
9 Check the appearance of the water and the pH and free chlorine occasionally while the pool is shut down.
10 If the winter is mild, add another dose of winteriser in January or February.
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