How to get your home sold -- even in this market - WTOL.com: News, Weather and Sport for Toledo, Ohio

How to get your home sold -- even in this market - WTOL.com: News, Weather and Sport for Toledo, Ohio

I Just bought a home with a pool and it’s open. Now what do I do?

           So you want to tackle the job of closing your pool yourself? Can’t say as I blame you with the economy being the way it is. I will give you some tips, and explain how to do it below; first I will give you a list of things you may need to have to prepare for the challenge at hand:

           Note there are several types of pool covers out there, solid safety, mesh safety, and water bag type covers, the following list will pertain to water bag (Tarp Style) covers.

10 THINGS TO HAVE READY FOR POOL CLOSING

1.      A POOL COVER WITH NO HOLES.

2.      Enough water bags to go around the entire pool perimeter with the bags touching end to end.

3.      A cover pump for excess water removal and to lower the pool water level to prepare for the closing..

4.      Rubber plugs or Threaded plugs with O-rings to use for the return holes and skimmer.

5.      A blow-out compensator for each skimmer, this screws into the bottom of the skimmer and protects the skimmer from freezing and breaking.

6.      Chemical Closing kit, should contain slow dissolve chlorine tablets, winter algaecide and oxygen shock.

7.      Pool antifreeze for the skimmer lines, and pumps

8.      A blower or compressor to blow out the plumbing lines

9.      Tools- screwdriver, channel lock pliers, maybe a rubber mallet

10.  Very important- A HELPER

Now that you have what you will need we can discuss the basic order of closing the pool. Be sure to backwash the pol filter if Diatomaceous Earth filters (if you have one of these type filters you will know what I mean)

First you want to lower the water level in your pool. If you have a concrete pool with a tile line then you need to have the water 6” below the tile border. If you have tile on your steps then just be sure the water is 6” below the rest of the tile. If you have a vinyl liner pool just drop the water below the skimmer opening. You do not want the liner to pull away from the pool walls.

Once the water is down you want to drain out the pump and filter of water, on the back of the filter there should be a drain plug, remove this plug and open the air relief on top of the filter. In the front and side of the pump there are also drain plugs remove these and drain the pump basket area. If you have a chlorinator, do the same for this. You will need to remove any chlorine tabs left in the chlorinator and dispose of safely. DO NOT keep your face over the chlorinator lid when opening; this WILL gag you and can hurt your lungs.

Now that the system is drained you need to put the plugs back in hand tight only. The next steps will vary depending upon how your pool system is plumbed. If you have unions it is easiest to open these to get access to the suction and return sides of your plumbing.

You want to start with the suction side of the system, the plumbing coming into your pump will be the suction side, this may consist of 1, 2, or even 3 pipes you will have one line separate if you have a main drain in the deep end of your pool, this is the first piece to blow out, take your blower and from the front side of your pump blow air into the main drain line until you see a large amount of air bubbles coming up from the floor of the pool, now you will need to air lock this line and if you have a main drain then you should have a valve to close off this line only, as the air is bubbling up close this valve to lock the air inside the pipe, now this one is complete you can move on to the skimmers.

Take the above mentioned blow out compensators and screw them into each skimmer and store the skimmer baskets for the winter. Now blow through each skimmer line until nothing but air is coming out of the blow out. Once this is done, you can pour ½ a bottle of Antifreeze in each skimmer. Now the suction lines are closed, onto the return lines.

I find it easier to open the filter and blow out the returns from the filter outlet pipe inside the tank; if you have a sand filter this will not be possible. Use your best judgment as to what is easiest. Blow through the return lines and start plugging the returns starting with the one closest to your filter system and work your way outward. Once this is done; you can add the winter chemicals to the pool.

Last thing to do is blow out the filter system, using the same line blow air in and start taking out the plugs from the filter and pumps starting furthest away and working towards the pump. Your pool is now closed and all that is left is to cover it. It sounds worse than it is one or two times and you will be a pro like me.

Until Next Time…

Author Bio: This article was written by Rick the Spa Guy from http://fixmypoolandspa.blogspot.com/