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In many gardens today, the bathing pool is one of the facilities that can almost be described as standard. It offers real added value and makes users happy, especially on hot summer days. But what happens to it over the winter? How do you winterize a pool properly? And does the water have to be drained to do this? Our guide explains.
hibernate pool
At first one might assume that a pool could ultimately not care whether the sun is shining outside and summer temperatures prevail, or whether freezing cold causes the thermometer to drop below freezing. But that is definitely not the case. Because even if at first glance there is "only" a pool of water, a wide variety of components are particularly stressed by the weather in winter:
- The pool itself with waterproofing and supporting structure
- The pump
- The filter system
- All water-carrying pipes
- Any existing chemical dosing systems
- Accessories on and in the pool made of plastic or rubber
The critical factors that account for this particular stress, on the other hand, are listed much more quickly:
1. low temperatures: Plastics and rubber become brittle when temperatures drop and age faster under load. Movements are poorly absorbed and seals give way more quickly to the water pressure.
2. Ice and snow: One consequence of the low temperatures are additional loads when precipitation freezes or falls straight from the sky as snow. These additional weights can strain covers and, in connection with the brittleness of plastic, sometimes also damage them.
main problem ice
By far the most important theme, however, is ice. And not in the form of freezing rain or snow, but as a result of the aggregate changes in normal pool water in winter. Although the water is initially no more or less than in the summer, its change when it reaches freezing point has a striking impact on the pool's wintering. The reason for this is the increase in volume of water when it freezes. The space occupied increases by 1/11, i.e. around 9 percent, due to the transition from liquid to solid. Now imagine that suddenly there is 9 percent more water volume in the pool, which suddenly takes up space. Understandably, this creates an effect on the pool walls enormous pressure.
The same happens in pipes, technical components and wherever else there is water. While the pool itself has to withstand high loads anyway and at least part of the increase in volume still has an open way upwards, water in closed components leads to the failure of seals, connections or the component itself within a very short time. Even metal pipes can withstand the pressure of the pool cannot withstand ice and in extreme cases are literally blown up. Anyone who thinks that the complete elimination of all water is the universal solution is mistaken. Because of course there is also water in the surrounding soil. This also freezes and, in addition to the pressure of the ice in the pool, exerts an opposite force from the outside on the pool basin. The following instructions explain how to deal with these different influences correctly.
Winterizing the pool: instructions
Although individual pond constructions may require different wintering procedures, the following steps have proven to be a suitable and safe way through the winter season:
1. Adjust pool water
Adjust the pH value to 7.0 - 7.2 and regulate the chlorine value to a maximum of 0.5 mg/l. Then add water treatment products with an algicide effect. Because at these values the pollution of the water is the lowest and the spread
of bacteria, algae etc. is prevented and dirt adhesion is made more difficult.
danger: Never shock chlorinate your pool when winterizing! The cover and reduced exposure to sunlight allows the chlorine to break down slowly to the set point, damaging the pool liner by then.
2. Lowering of the water level
You should leave the water level as high as possible, but lower it at least 10 centimeters below the inlet and outlet of the filter system. Seal the inlet and skimmer with a winter plug. So no pool water can penetrate into the technology.
tip: Either lower the water level with a submersible pump or connect a suction hose with a floor vacuum to the skimmer. If you now backwash your sand filter system, the pool is emptied and the filter is intensively cleaned at the same time.
Now you may ask yourself why the water level is lowered, when pressure from the freezing soil is also affecting the pool from outside. Even a pool that is only partially filled is able to build up sufficient back pressure. The protection of the inlets and outlets is therefore a priority here.
3. Clean
To avoid permanent adhesion of lime and dirt over the winter, remove all lime and dirt edges and surfaces on and in the pool with a pool sponge and cleaning agents.
4. Empty lines
Empty all lines, as well as filters, pumps, etc. using any drain devices that may be present. Alternatively, the connections of the components can be loosened and the water removed in this way. This is the only way to prevent frost damage caused by the freezing of the remaining water.
5. Ice pressure pad
Ice pressure pads absorb the pressure when the pool water freezes and relieve the pool walls. You can insert these either along the edge or across the pool into the pool water.
6. Ladders
Remove all stainless steel components, clean and store frost-free to prevent damage from ice and rust from harsh weather conditions.
7. Covering
To keep dirt and precipitation out of the pool and to keep the water level constant, you should cover the pool with a tarpaulin, a special cover or a sliding shed.
8. Dismantling
Sensitive components, especially technical equipment such as filters, pumps and chlorine systems, can age quickly due to cold and moisture. Therefore, dismantle these parts and store them in a frost-free place.
It becomes clear that the garden pool can be overwintered with a certain water level without any problems. Complete emptying, on the other hand, is not necessary. However, remember to regularly check the water level generated during the winter months. Wind and storms can cause even the best cover to slip and give rain, snow and leaves access to the pool. If the water level rises above the inlets and outlets, the pool water can run in there and, if it freezes, cause the damage that has been successfully prevented so far.