We provide specialized winterization services to safeguard your pool during the off-season, and when spring arrives, we handle the thorough opening process.
We provide specialized winterization services to safeguard your pool during the off-season, and when spring arrives, we handle the thorough opening process.
Pump pool cover (if applicable) then remove leaves and debris.
Place garden hose under the cover and fill pool until the water level reaches the middle of the skimmer.
Remove cover and water bags. Lay the cover out and hose it off thoroughly. Allow it to dry completely and then “fan fold” the cover and store it for the summer in a safe, dry location.
Remove “gizzmos” from skimmers and winterizing plugs from pool returns. Store these in a logical place, they are easily misplaced.
Replace skimmer baskets, pump basket (check for cracks and holes which can cause pump damage and line blockages), return “eyeballs” and drain plugs, (put a few turns of Teflon tape on any drain plugs that don’t use an o-ring).
Reinstall diving board, ladder, handrails (lubricate all bolts, they’ll come off more easily at the end of the season).
Reconnect pump, filter and chlorinator.
Fill pump housing with water; lubricate housing gasket, close cover.
Start pump.
Bring a sample of pool water into our store for computerized water analysis. Starting the season off right with proper water balance will help to ensure an easy maintenace schedule.
Pools don’t just get green; to keep a pool from becoming green see the handout entitled “1..2..3.. clear” But once you’ve got a green pool following these steps will clear it, and “1..2..3.. clear” will keep it that way!
1. Have your pool water tested here. We need to ensure that your chemical levels are all in range; some adjustments might be needed prior to attacking the algae. This is also important to maximize the effectiveness of the chemical treatment we will use to kill your algae. We want to start this “recipe” with a chlorine level of about 2 p.p.m.
2. Add 2 pounds of Power Magic Super Oxider per 10,000 gallons of water to the pool.
3. Add one quart of Proteam Polyquart 60 Algecide to the pool.
4. Add one quart of Proteam Superfloc Clarifier to the pool.
5. Run the pool through the night. If you have a D.E. filter, or if your pressure gauge is reading high, you should backwash now.
6. Vacuum the pool the morning after the steps listed above. Hand vac only. Do not use your Polaris or other automatic cleaners.
7. If algae is left in the pool after this vacuum, repeat treatment.
Chemical Dosage Charts – Water Balance
| ppm increase | 15000 | 20000 | 30000 | 35000 | 40000 | 45000 | 50000 |
| 10 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 5.5 | 6 | 7.5 |
| 20 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 6 | 12 | 13.5 | 15 |
| 30 | 7 | 9 | 14 | 9 | 18 | 20 | 23 |
| 40 | 9 | 12 | 18 | 12 | 24 | 27 | 30 |
| 50 | 12 | 15 | 22 | 15 | 30 | 33 | 38 |
| 60 | 14 | 18 | 27 | 18 | 39 | 40 | 45 |
| 70 | 16 | 21 | 31 | 21 | 42 | 47 | 53 |
| 80 | 18 | 24 | 39 | 24 | 48 | 54 | 60 |
| 90 | 21 | 27 | 40 | 27 | 54 | 60 | 68 |
| 100 | 23 | 30 | 45 | 30 | 60 | 66 | 75 |
| 120 | 27 | 36 | 51 | 36 | 68 | 75 | 90 |
(It is best not to raise water more then 50 ppm per day)
| ppm increase | 15000 | 20000 | 30000 | 35000 | 40000 | 45000 | 50000 |
| 20 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 13 |
| 40 | 8 | 10 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
| 60 | 12 | 15 | 18 | 22 | 26 | 29 | 30 |
| 80 | 15 | 20 | 24 | 28 | 32 | 36 | 40 |
| 100 | 19 | 25 | 30 | 35 | 40 | 45 | 50 |
| 120 | 23 | 30 | 39 | 40 | 46 | 52 | 60 |
| 140 | 27 | 35 | 45 | 49 | 52 | 62 | 70 |
| 160 | 30 | 40 | 50 | 58 | 64 | 70 | 78 |
| 180 | 34 | 45 | 55 | 62 | 70 | 78 | 82 |
| 200 | 38 | 50 | 60 | 70 | 80 | 90 | 100 |
| 220 | 41 | 55 | 65 | 78 | 90 | 105 | 115 |
Skimmer Water Level: Ensure that the pool’s water level is halfway up the skimmer faceplate. This is the normal operating level, (even with the third screw on the faceplate as you count from the bottom up).
Skimmer Basket/Throat: Keep the skimmer basket clean and make sure the skimmer throat is not obstructed. Adjust the skimmer flap, (located at the bottom of each skimmer) the one in the skimmer closest to the pump should be half-open, any others should be open all the way.
Pump Strainer: Open pump to ascertain basket is clean, intact, and seated properly. Never operate your pump without water and or the strainer basket in the pump. Before closing, fill the pump housing with water. Replace the housing cover, making sure the gasket is in position so no dirt or grit will prevent a tight seal.
Filter Pressure Gauge: When starting the pump, it may take a short time for the filter pressure to normalize due to the presence of air in the suction lines. Open the air bleeder valve located on the top of your filter to expel the air more rapidly. When the air has been expelled, the pressure gauge reading should be 10-15 psi on most filters (15-20 psi on systems with heaters).
Diatomaceous Earth Filters: Do not operate your DE filter longer than one minute without adding DE. Add DE to the skimmer closest to the pump (with the skimmer flap wide open) once the water comes out of the returns in a steady stream. Add the DE slowly to the skimmer, or premix the DE in a bucket of water and then add it to the skimmer. Once done, readjust the skimmer flap, and bleed the air out of the filter.
Ask about our service warranty…if you allow us to open and close your pool for the year, any service labor is free…that’s right…free for that season. Parts are not covered under this warranty; you pay for parts only. So…what are you waiting for?
Turn pump off. Make sure that your skimmer and pump strainer baskets are clean.
Adjust skimmer flaps (located underneath each skimmer basket). Open the flap in the skimmer closest to the pump and filter all the way, and close the other skimmer(s) flap(s). You will vacuum through the skimmer closest to the pump and filter.
If you have a main drain, it should be closed to afford maximum suction through the skimmer. Turn your Jandy Valve to shut off the main drain.
Turn on your pump and check your skimmer for water movement to ensure strong suction.
Stretch out your vacuum hose along the side of your pool. Snap the vacuum head into the end of the vacuum pole. Slip one end of the vacuum hose onto the vacuum head. If you have a swivel cuff on your vacuum hose, make sure the swivel end goes onto the vacuum head.
Prime the hose. Place the vacuum head (with the hose and pole attached) into the pool. Place the hose end (you have in your hand), against the return fitting and allow the water to “blowout” or displace the air in the vacuum hose. The vacuum head will rise and bubble. When it has settled to the bottom of the pool, cup your hand over the vacuum hose and carry it to the skimmer closest to the pump and filter.
Place the skim vacuum plate on the end of the hose. Bring the hose over the coping and place it directly on the skimmer basket. You’re vacuuming now!
Move the vacuum head slowly. If the vacuum head is moved too rapidly it will stir up sediment and your results will be less than satisfactory when the dirt has settled requiring a second vacuum.
When completed, disconnect, remove and drain hose then store. Return skimmer flaps and valves to their normal operating positions. Check filter pressure gauge to see if the filter needs to be backwashed.
Helpful Hints
Do not lift the vacuum head out of the water or you will lose your prime.
Disregard your filter pressure reading it usually drops while vacuuming.
Disregard air in your pump basket.
Check skimmer basket periodically if the pool has a lot of leaves or other debris in it.
Backwash the filter if the pool is very dirty, and emptying the skimmer basket does not restore suction.
If suction is too strong, open the other skimmer flap 1/8 of the way.
Mark your calendar! Backwash every three weeks regardless of pressure. However, if your pressure gauge indicates a high reading, backwash immediately. The longer you wait, the harder the dirty DE powder becomes, the more difficult it is to get out of the grids and tank.
Unroll your blue backwash hose to the area you want the dirty DE powder to go. You will lose about fifty gallons of water to backwash.
Turn off your pump.
Turn your Multiport valve to the Backwash position. Turn on the pump. Watch the blue backwash hose to ensure that it does not kink, and explode! Watch the Sightglass on the Multiport valve, you will see dirty DE powder running out of the system, after the water has run clear, shut off the pump.
Turn your Multiport valve to the Rinse position. Turn on the pump. Rinse the tank for ten seconds. This will dislodge any DE that is stuck in the corners and crannies in your filter tank. Turn off the pump, and repeat until water in sight glass is no longer dirty when backwashing.
After the final Rinse, turn your Multiport to the Filter position. It’s time to replace the DE that you have just backwashed out of your filter. This is added into the closest skimmer to the filter with the pump running. Add 4.5 one pound scoops of DE powder to a 36 square foot filter, or 6 scoops to a 48 square foot filter. (A scoop is available at our retail store, which is more accurate than the “one pound coffee can” method of measurement.
That completes the Backwashing procedure. Mark your calendar and be sure to backwash once every three weeks to ensure crystal clear water!
For Sand filters, the procedure is the same, with the exception of the addition of DE to your skimmers! Backwash every three weeks regardless of pressure. However, if your pressure gauge indicates a high reading, backwash immediately.
Unroll your blue backwash hose to the area you want the dirty water to go. You will lose about fifty gallons of water to backwash.
Turn off your pump.
Turn your Multiport valve to the Backwash position. Turn on the pump. Watch the blue backwash hose to ensure that it does not kink, and explode! Watch the Sightglass on the Multiport valve, you will see dirty water running out of the system, after the water has run clear, shut off the pump.
Turn your Multiport valve to the Rinse position. Turn on the pump. Rinse the tank for ten seconds. This will dislodge any debris that is stuck in the corners and crannies in your filter tank. Turn off the pump.
Repeat Backwashing and rinse steps.
After the final Rinse, turn your Multiport to the Filter position.
That completes the Backwashing procedure. Mark your calendar and be sure to backwash once every three weeks to ensure crystal clear water!
Saltwater pools are easy to maintain. You just use salt to make your chlorine. When you first open your pool it is okay to use shock and algaecide if needed to clear the water.
Once your pool is opened, the water is clear, and the pool has been vacuumed it is then time to balance your pool. Bring in a water sample to our store for a free computerized water analysis. You want your ph between 7.2-7.6, your alkalinity between 100-120 ppm., and your calcium level between 300-400 ppm.
Once your pool is balanced it is time to add your salt and start making chlorine. You want a salt level of between 2800 – 32002 ppm. For every 50 lbs. of salt per 2000 gallons of water you add to your pool you will increase your salt level by 200 ppm.
Once your pool is balanced and the salt is added the autopilot will make all the chlorine your pool needs. There should be no need to add any shocks or algaecides as you will not have algae. Just test your pool at home at least twice a week to maintain your ph and alkalinity levels.
Just like chlorine tabs, extreme heat and sun burn off your chlorine. To keep your chlorine level stable you should use a product called salt support. At the beginning of each season bring in a water sample to our store and we will test it to set you up with the right amount needed. Salt support is a sunscreen for the chlorine to help maintain a higher chlorine residual, and it also coats the cell blades of the salt generator to protect it from calcium build up and prolong the cells life.
Test – your pool water twice a week. If your water test indicates a low chlorine level, turn up your chlorinator. If your test indicates a high chlorine level, lower your chlorinator. Bather load, rainfall and sun exposure will affect the amount of chlorine your pool will require.
Fill your chlorinator with 6 – 7 Proteam High Tech Tabs on the same day each week. Do not exceed 7 tabs unless specifically directed to do so. Chlorine tabs dissolve like bars of soap, do not wait until there are none left in your chlorinator. Replenish as needed.
Shock your pool at least once a week, twice per week when it is very hot, or the bather load is high. You should add 1 pound of Power Magic Super Oxidizer Ganular Shock, premixed in water, for every 10,000 gallons of pool water. You should only shock your pool in the evening, as the sun burns off the chlorine.
Algaecide -should be added once per week as a preventative measure. Use 5 ounces of Proteam Polyquat 60 Algaecide per ten thousand gallons of pool water. It is less expensive to add this product weekly, then it is to clear up a green pool when it occurs.
pH -needs to be checked twice a week and maintained within 7.2 to 7.6 on your test strip. If your Total Alkalinity is not above 100 PPM your pH will have a tendency to drift, so always adjust Total Alkalinity first then retest and adjust pH if needed.
We suggest that you have your pool water tested professionally twice per month and immediately after opening, and prior to closing your pool.
Preventative maintenance costs less than clearing up your pool after it has turned green!
Keeping a pool from getting green is easy! The recipe is as simple as 1..2..3..!
Fill your chlorinator with 6 – 7 Proteam High Tech tabs on the same day each week. Do not exceed 7 tabs unless specifically directed to do so. Chlorine tabs dissolve like bars of soap, do not wait until there are none left in your chlorinator. Add them on the same day of the week, 7 days apart. Test your pool water twice a week. If your water test indicates a low chlorine level, turn up your chlorinator. If your test indicates a high chlorine level, lower your chlorinator. Bather load, rainfall and sun exposure will affect the amount of chlorine your pool will require.
Shock your pool at least once a week, twice per week when it is very hot, or the bather load is high. You should add 1 pound of Proteam Power Magic Super Oxidizer Granular Shock, premixed in water, for every 10,000 gallons of pool water. You should only shock your pool in the evening, as the sun burns off the chlorine.
Algaecide should be added once per week as a preventative measure. Proteam Polyquat 60 Non-foaming algaecide works best, follow the instructions on the bottle for the “maintenance” dose.
It’s easier to avoid getting algae, then killing off an algae bloom during July and August’s Hot Sunny Days!
Sta-rite’s Mod Media filter is the finest filter available today. It is virtually maintenance free. A little planned maintenance will ensure that your filter cartridges will last for many years.
The only times you have to clean your cartridges:
Steps To Remove Your Cartridges From The Mod Media Filter Tank
Proteam Supreme Plus is a chemical enhancer for chlorine that enables you to run your pool at a lower chlorine level, reducing most of the issues that some pool owners have with chlorine. These issues include burning eyes, chlorine smell and dry skin. Other benefits with Proteam Supreme Plus include “softer silky” water, better water clarity, more stability in chemical levels and no algae…thats right NONE. Proteam Supreme Plus enhances your chlorine, shock and algaecides with their own products, it is slightly higher in cost than regular chlorine, but well worth it! Call or stop in the store for more info on this chemical system!
Thoroughly vacuum the pool. Clean the liner and skimmers above the water line.
Check and adjust the Total Alkalinity, pH and metal levels.
Backwash the filter until the water level reaches the bottom of the skimmers. If you have a main drain, lower the water level an additional 3 inches below the bottom of the skimmer by selecting full main drain on your Jandy valve at the front of your pump. If you do not have a main drain, put your cover pump in the pool and lower the water level until it is 3 inches below the skimmers.
Remove and store the skimmer baskets and return eyeballs in a safe place.
Blow out all lines with a shop-vac, or compressor.
Pour Non-Toxic Antifreeze into the lines.
Place Gizzmos in the skimmers.
Disconnect Chlorinator, dispose of tabs, and soak chlorinator in warm soapy water. Dry and Store.
DE filter owners: remove belly band and remove grid assembly, clean thoroughly perfrom an acid wash and reassemble.
Sand filter owners: remove drain plug from the bottom of the filter.
Cartridge filter owners: unlock the locking units around the perimeter of the filter housing and remove the filter cartridges. Clean thoroughly, perform an acid wash and reassemble.
Disconnect pump and store; remove union o-rings and place inside pump basket for safekeeping.
Remove ladder and handrails. Store separate from chemicals. Remove diving board and rope & floats.
Add winterizing chemicals as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
Place water bags around the perimeter of the pool and fill 2/3 with water.
Pad any sharp edges on your pool coping, ladder cups, waterfall etc…then place your pool cover on the pool and unfold. Place water bags along the edges and through the loops. Keep your “Little Giant Cover Pump” handy for heavy rainfalls and melting snow and ice.
Open your pool early so you can be sure that your pool is ready when you are ready to swim.
There are no guarantees on waterbags.
Pool covers are covered by manufacturer’s warranty only.
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Spa Volume
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Waterline Control
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Stain & Scale
|
Shock
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Sanitizer
|
|
300 gallons
|
3 oz
|
2 oz
|
6 oz
|
2 oz
|
|
350 gallons
|
3 oz
|
2 1/3 oz
|
7 oz
|
2 1/3 oz
|
|
400 gallons
|
4 oz
|
2 2/3 oz
|
8 oz
|
2 2/3 oz
|
|
450 gallons
|
4 oz
|
3 oz
|
9 oz
|
3 oz
|
|
500 gallons
|
5 oz
|
3 1/3 oz
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10 oz
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3 1/3 oz
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Consistency is the key when it comes to chemical maintenance of your tub. Try to add your weekly dosages on the same day each week. Another good tip is to have one person care for the tub and add all of the chemicals; this will eliminate duplication and over treatment of your water.
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Spa Volume
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Waterline Control
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Stain & Scale Control
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Shock Regular Use
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Shock High Use
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Sanitizer if
level 11-30 ppm |
Sanitizer if level 0-10 ppm
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300 gallons
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1 oz.
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oz.
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3 oz.
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6 oz.
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1 oz.
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2 oz.
|
|
350 gallons
|
1 oz.
|
oz.
|
3 oz.
|
7 oz.
|
1 oz.
|
2 1/3 oz.
|
|
400 gallons
|
2 oz.
|
oz.
|
4 oz.
|
8 oz.
|
1 oz.
|
2 2/3 oz.
|
|
450 gallons
|
2 oz.
|
oz.
|
4oz.
|
9 oz.
|
1 2/3 oz.
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3 oz.
|
|
500 gallons
|
2 oz.
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1 oz.
|
5 oz.
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10 oz.
|
1 2/3 oz.
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3 1/3 oz.
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6- Filters should be rinsed weekly and soaked monthly. They will last longer with regular cleaning. Some customers will purchase another set of filters and rotate them.
