What Chemicals Do You Put In a Pool When Closing?

Preparing your pool in New York for winter involves several key steps to ensure it remains clean and protected. One of the typical chemicals involved in pool closing is shocking it with a high dose of chlorine or non-chlorine shock to sanitize the water and eliminate contaminants. A long-term algaecide is also a common chemical applied during pool closing to prevent algae growth during the colder months. Additionally, it's essential to apply a stain and scale preventative to help minimize mineral deposits on pool surfaces. While these tasks can be done DIY, hiring professionals ensures the right chemicals are used and correctly applied, offering peace of mind and a well-maintained pool come spring.

Pool closing includes shocking the water to sanitize it.

Shocking your pool is one of the first and most important steps in the closing process. This involves adding a high dose of chlorine or a non-chlorine shock to the water to eliminate any lingering bacteria, germs, or organic contaminants. By raising the chlorine levels temporarily, you effectively sanitize the pool, making it less susceptible to developing problems over the winter. It's generally recommended to use a chlorine shock for this process unless your pool has had issues with chloramine build-up, in which case a non-chlorine shock might be more suitable.

Algaecide During Pool Closing Prevents Algae from Growing During the Winter

Even when the temperatures drop, algae can still be a threat to your pool's cleanliness. To combat this, adding an algaecide designed for long-term use is a smart precaution while closing your pool. This chemical helps prevent new algae from forming and existing spores from proliferating during the off-season. When choosing an algaecide, opt for a non-foaming, copper-based product if possible, as this type is typically more effective for winterization. Apply it after the pool has been shocked and chlorine levels have stabilized to ensure maximum effectiveness.

Stain and scale preventative treatments are typically part of pool closing.

Over the winter, minerals in the water can cause stains and scale to form on your pool's surfaces. To prevent this, it's a good idea to add a stain and scale preventative while closing your pool. This chemical works by binding to the minerals, such as calcium and iron, reducing their ability to form deposits on your pool's walls and floor. This step can save you time and effort when reopening your pool in the spring, as you'll likely have fewer stains to scrub away. Be sure to carefully calculate the amount needed for your pool size to avoid overuse.

Hire Pros to Ensure the Right Chemicals Are Used & That They Are Applied Correctly

While adding chemicals to your pool when closing it is essential, it's equally important to ensure that you're using the right chemicals and applying them correctly. This is where hiring professionals can be beneficial. Pool maintenance professionals have the knowledge and experience to determine the right chemicals for your pool based on its size, type, and water chemistry. They can also ensure that the chemicals are applied correctly and in the right amounts to achieve optimal results.

Additionally, hiring professionals can save you time and effort, as they can handle the entire pool closing process for you. This includes not only adding the necessary chemicals but also cleaning and winterizing your pool equipment, covering your pool, and ensuring that everything is in good working order for the winter months. By hiring professionals, you can have peace of mind knowing that your pool is properly closed and protected for the winter.

Give us a call to schedule our pool closing service!

Closing your pool for the winter is an important task that requires careful attention to detail. That's where our professionals come in. Here at Elite Pools, we offer a pool closing service to ensure your pool is properly shut down for the winter season. You can also take advantage of our winter pool service, which involves balancing winter chemicals to protect your pool over the winter season. It also includes maintaining water levels, protecting pool surfaces and plumbing, maintaining proper water balance, and securing the winter cover. We offer these services to residential properties in and around Bridgehampton, Sag Harbor, and East Hampton, NY. Call us at (631) 537-5055 to schedule these services.