Leslies Deluxe Pool Closing Kit Instructions
When you’re ready to start closing your swimming pool, a Leslies Pool Closing Kit can help take the guesswork out of winterizing chemicals․ The Deluxe Kit contains all the essentials needed to winterize a pool up to 15,000 gallons in size․ Leslies Pool Closing Kits are compatible with swimming pools using chlorine, bromine, and pools using a saltwater chlorine generator․
Introduction
Closing your pool for the winter can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be! With the right tools and guidance, you can ensure your pool stays protected and ready for the next swimming season․ Leslies Deluxe Pool Closing Kit offers a comprehensive solution for winterizing your pool, providing all the essential chemicals and instructions to make the process smooth and efficient․ This kit is designed for pools up to 15,000 gallons and includes everything you need to properly winterize your pool, including shock, algaecide, clarifier, and winterizer․ By following the instructions provided, you can ensure your pool is properly winterized and protected from the harsh elements of winter․
Kit Contents
The Leslies Deluxe Pool Closing Kit is designed to provide you with everything you need to properly winterize your pool․ Here’s a breakdown of the kit’s contents⁚
- Leslies Fresh N Clear Non-Chlorine Oxidizing Pool Shock (2 lbs)⁚ This chlorine-free shock effectively eliminates non-living organic contaminants, ensuring a clean and sanitized pool before winterization․
- Leslies Algae Control (1 pint)⁚ This algaecide helps prevent algae growth during the winter months, keeping your pool water clear and pristine․
- Leslies Stain & Scale Pill (1)⁚ This pill helps prevent the formation of stains and scale on your pool surfaces, ensuring a clean and sparkling pool when you open it next spring․
- Leslies WinterPill (1)⁚ This slow-release enzyme and clarifier ball helps maintain water clarity throughout the winter, keeping your pool clean and free from debris․
- Leslies Winterizer (1 quart)⁚ This winterizer protects your pool plumbing and equipment from freezing temperatures, ensuring that your pool is ready for the next swimming season;
With these comprehensive components, the Leslies Deluxe Pool Closing Kit provides you with the tools and resources to ensure a successful and hassle-free pool closing process․
Preparation
Before diving into the steps of closing your pool, it’s important to ensure you have everything you need and that the conditions are right for a successful winterization․ This includes gathering the following⁚
- Your Leslies Deluxe Pool Closing Kit⁚ Make sure all the components are present and ready to use․
- Pool Cleaning Equipment⁚ This includes your leaf rake, skimmer net, pool brush, and vacuum․
- Water Testing Kit⁚ Having a water testing kit will allow you to accurately measure your pool’s water chemistry levels before adding any chemicals․
- Protective Gear⁚ Wear gloves and safety goggles when handling pool chemicals․
Additionally, ensure that the air temperature is consistently below 65ºF before attempting to close your pool․ This will prevent any remaining water from freezing and damaging your pool equipment․ For vinyl liner and fiberglass pools, always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for winterizing․
Step 1⁚ Clean the Pool
A clean pool is the foundation for a successful winterization․ Start by removing all large debris, such as leaves, branches, and toys, from the pool using your leaf rake or skimmer net․ Next, thoroughly brush all pool surfaces, including the walls, steps, and bottom, to dislodge any algae or other organic matter․ Finally, vacuum the pool floor to remove any remaining debris․ This thorough cleaning will significantly reduce the amount of work needed to get your pool ready for swimming next season․
Pay special attention to areas where debris tends to accumulate, such as corners and around the skimmer․ You can use a pool brush with a long handle to reach these areas easily․ If you have a robotic pool cleaner, this can be a great tool for removing debris and cleaning the pool floor․
Remember, a clean pool will help prevent the growth of algae and bacteria during the winter months, making the opening process much easier․
Step 2⁚ Balance the Water
Balanced water is crucial for a healthy pool and a smooth winterization process․ Before adding any chemicals, test your pool water using a reliable test kit to determine the levels of chlorine, pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness․ You can purchase a test kit from your local pool supply store or online․ If you aren’t comfortable testing your water yourself, many pool supply stores offer free water testing services․
Adjust the water chemistry according to the test results․ You may need to add chlorine, pH increaser or decreaser, alkalinity increaser or decreaser, or calcium hardness increaser to balance the water․ Always follow the instructions on the chemical containers carefully․
It’s important to note that adding chemicals to your pool should be done with the pump running․ This ensures that the chemicals are evenly distributed throughout the pool․ Always check the product labels for specific instructions and safety precautions․
Step 3⁚ Shock the Pool
Shocking your pool eliminates organic contaminants and bacteria, leaving it sparkling clean for winter․ The Leslies Deluxe Pool Closing Kit includes a chlorine-free shock, which is ideal for pool closing․ It’s a powerful oxidizer that effectively eliminates organic contaminants and bacteria without the harsh effects of chlorine․
Add the shock to the pool following the instructions on the product label․ The product label will specify the amount of shock to add based on the size of your pool․ It’s important to add the shock evenly throughout the pool, ensuring it reaches all areas․ You can use a broadcast spreader or a bucket to distribute the shock evenly․
After adding the shock, run your pool pump for at least 24 hours․ This allows the shock to work its magic and thoroughly clean the pool․ You’ll notice a noticeable improvement in the water clarity․
Step 4⁚ Add Algaecide
Algaecide is essential for preventing algae growth during the winter months when your pool is closed․ Algae can thrive in stagnant water, so adding algaecide helps to keep your pool crystal clear and free from unsightly green or brown streaks․ The Leslies Deluxe Pool Closing Kit contains a potent algaecide that effectively kills algae and prevents it from forming again․
Before adding the algaecide, make sure your pool pump is running․ This will help to distribute the algaecide evenly throughout the pool․ Pour the algaecide into a bucket of water, then pour the mixture around the perimeter of your pool․ The algaecide will sink to the bottom of the pool and work its magic, preventing algae growth․
After adding the algaecide, run your pool pump for at least one hour․ This will ensure that the algaecide is properly distributed and starts to work its magic․
Step 5⁚ Add Clarifier
Clarifier is a crucial component of a proper pool closing process as it helps to remove fine particles and debris that can cloud the water and make it difficult to maintain a clean pool throughout the winter․ This step is especially important for those with above-ground pools, where debris can easily accumulate․ The Leslies Deluxe Pool Closing Kit includes a high-quality clarifier that will work to ensure your pool water remains clean and clear, even when it’s not in use․
Before adding the clarifier, ensure your pool pump is running to facilitate even distribution․ The clarifier is typically added directly to the pool, though you can also use a bucket of water to mix it first․ Follow the instructions on the clarifier bottle for the correct amount to use, based on your pool size․ The clarifier will work its magic to bind the fine particles together, making them easier to filter out․
Allow your pool pump to run for at least a few hours after adding the clarifier to allow it to work its magic․ You’ll notice the water becoming clearer as the clarifier does its job․ This will make it easier to remove any remaining debris before closing your pool for the winter․
Step 6⁚ Add Winterizer
Winterizer is the heart of the pool closing process, ensuring that your pool remains protected from the harsh conditions of winter․ The Leslies Deluxe Pool Closing Kit includes a powerful winterizer that will safeguard your pool water and equipment throughout the off-season․ This product prevents algae growth, protects against freezing, and keeps your pool water balanced for a smooth opening in the spring․
With your pump running, add the winterizer to your pool according to the instructions on the bottle․ Make sure you’re using the correct amount for your pool size․ Once added, allow the pump to circulate the winterizer for at least a few hours to ensure it’s evenly distributed throughout the pool․ This will help to prevent any chemical imbalances that can occur over the winter months․
It’s important to note that the winterizer will create a slightly cloudy appearance in the water․ This is perfectly normal and will disappear once the pool is opened in the spring․ You can also use a clarifier again after adding the winterizer to help clear up the water․ This will leave your pool looking its best, ready for the long winter slumber․
Step 7⁚ Lower Water Level
Lowering the water level in your pool is a crucial step in the winterization process, particularly for above-ground pools․ The goal is to prevent the water from freezing and expanding, which could damage your pool liner or equipment․ You want to lower the water level below the skimmer opening, ensuring that it’s sufficiently below the frost line in your area․
To lower the water level, you can use a submersible pump, a garden hose, or even a bucket․ If you’re using a pump, make sure it’s designed for draining pools and is properly connected to a drainage point, like a storm drain or a nearby yard area․ If you choose to use a garden hose, you’ll need to siphon the water out of the pool, which can be a slower process․ No matter which method you choose, be patient and ensure that the water level is safely lowered below the skimmer․
Once the water level is lowered, you can begin the final steps of closing your pool․ This includes covering the pool with a winter cover, ensuring that the water is properly balanced, and winterizing any pool equipment․ With these steps completed, you’ll have successfully winterized your pool and prepared it for the cold winter months․
Step 8⁚ Cover the Pool
After lowering the water level, the next step is to cover the pool with a winter cover․ This will help to protect the pool from debris, sunlight, and freezing temperatures․ There are two main types of winter covers⁚ solid covers and safety covers․ Solid covers are typically made of heavy-duty vinyl or mesh and provide the best protection against debris and freezing․ Safety covers are designed to be strong enough to support the weight of a person, making them a good choice for pools with children or pets․
When installing a winter cover, make sure that it is properly secured and weighted down to prevent it from blowing away in windy conditions․ You may need to use weights, sandbags, or a cover pump to keep the cover in place․ Also, ensure that the cover is not too tight, as this could prevent water from draining properly and lead to damage․ If you have a solid cover, be sure to remove any snow that accumulates on it to prevent the cover from sagging or becoming damaged․
Once the cover is in place, your pool will be protected from the elements and ready for the winter months․ You can now relax and enjoy your time off from pool maintenance until next spring․
Step 9⁚ Winterize Equipment
Before the cold weather arrives, it is important to winterize your pool equipment to prevent damage․ This includes your pump, filter, and heater․ For your pump, you’ll need to drain the water from the pump housing and impeller to prevent freezing․ This can be done by opening the drain plug on the pump housing and letting the water flow out․ You may also want to remove the pump motor and store it in a dry, heated location to prevent damage from freezing temperatures․
The filter should also be drained and cleaned before winterizing․ For sand filters, this involves backwashing the filter to remove any debris and then draining the sand chamber․ For cartridge filters, you’ll need to remove the cartridge and clean it with a filter cleaner․ Once the filter is clean, you can store it in a dry location․ Finally, your heater should be drained and winterized as well․ This will prevent damage from freezing and ensure that it is ready to go when you open your pool next spring․
Winterizing your pool equipment is a crucial step in preparing your pool for winter․ By following these simple steps, you can help to protect your investment and ensure that your equipment is in good working order when you open your pool next spring․
Step 10⁚ Final Touches
After completing the previous steps, there are a few final touches you can add to ensure your pool is properly winterized․ First, make sure all pool equipment is turned off and disconnected from the power source․ This includes the pump, filter, heater, and any other accessories․ You should also remove any ladders, diving boards, or other accessories from the pool․ This will prevent them from being damaged by the winter weather․ It is also important to make sure all drain plugs are securely in place․ This will help to prevent water from leaking into the pool and causing damage during the winter months․
Finally, you should cover the pool with a winter pool cover․ This will help to protect the pool from debris, rain, and snow․ Make sure the cover is securely fastened and weighted down to prevent it from blowing off in the wind․ A properly installed pool cover will help to keep your pool clean and protected throughout the winter months․
These final touches may seem small, but they are essential for ensuring that your pool is properly winterized and will be ready to enjoy when you open it up next spring․
Closing your pool for the winter can seem like a daunting task, but with the right tools and guidance, it can be a straightforward process․ Leslies Deluxe Pool Closing Kit provides everything you need to properly winterize your pool, ensuring it remains safe and healthy until next swimming season․ By following these instructions and the product labels, you can confidently prepare your pool for winter․ Remember, it’s important to check your pool’s water levels regularly throughout the winter to ensure the cover is properly secured and to prevent any potential damage․
With proper care and attention, your pool will be ready for a fresh start come spring․ You can enjoy the peace of mind knowing your pool is safely winterized, saving you time and effort when it’s time to open it up again․
Whether you are a seasoned pool owner or a novice, Leslies Deluxe Pool Closing Kit makes winterizing your pool a simple and effective process․ It’s the perfect solution for ensuring your pool is ready for the cold months ahead, allowing you to relax and enjoy the winter season knowing your pool is in good hands․