We conclude the bathing season in the outdoor pools, it is time to start wintering that will keep the water in good condition for the next nine months.

The bathing season is over and winter is approaching. The pool needs a little care during the summer and a preparation at the end of the season that facilitates its start up near the spring. This preparation is carried out by means of a wintering. This process consists of carrying out various works to prepare the facilities for the winter inactivity season (removing stairs, protecting showers, etc.) and applying some chemicals for treatment and preserving the properties of the water correctly. In this way, maintenance and start-up costs are reduced next season. It is important to choose a good treatment of the pool depending on its size, the volume of water it contains, the installation, the location and the type of use that is given to it.

The start date varies depending on the climate and the geographical situation where the pool is located. Normally, the wintering process should not be started until the water temperature drops below 15 ºC . They have a duration of approximately nine months. Carrying out a winter at a time of year that is not adequate, treating the water with wintering chemicals and the consequent decrease in the filtration time, can result in the appearance of algae and the proliferation of organisms in the water.

THE TWO OPTIONS
We can act in two different ways. One is to discard the winter when the poor condition of the water does not allow it to act on it or recover it for a new use. The other is to carry out the wintering process.

Option 1 – Empty the pool and replace the water
This occurs when due to saturation reasons we are unable to recover the water and the only solution is to empty the pool water and refill it. This is usually the case where the value of total dissolved solids (TDS) has exceeded 2,000 ppm, or when the levels of cyanuric acid (the stabilizer used in stabilized chlorines) reach 100-150 ppm. Both situations may coincide or we may encounter other combinations of chemical saturation. In this case, the water cannot be used.
To act, we must wait for the water temperature to reach less than 15 ºC. Then, we will dose it with copper sulfate which will work for algaecide effectively and very economically and a little chlorine. As it is necessary to empty the pool, we should not worry about health problems caused by the application of copper sulfate in excessive doses, since the pool will be filled again. As soon as the pool is empty, a thorough cleaning of all the elements that are part of the installation must be carried out. If during cleaning you notice that the material in the tank has cracks or cracks, take the opportunity to carry out the necessary repairs. Then fill the pool. Then the disinfectant is applied, then add an algaecide product and a flocculant.

Option 2 -Wintering Process
Wintering has two important advantages:
conditioning the plant to protect it from the rigors of winter and inactivity; and the use of water as a scarce resource. It involves the conditioning of a swimming pool by applying certain chemicals to the water that result in preserving its properties and reducing maintenance costs, as well as the future commissioning in the next bathing season. The process also includes certain work to prepare the installation, such as removing the stairs, protecting the showers, etc. It is a simple process but varies according to the water treatment system used in the pool (chlorine, ozone, ionization, bromine, oxygenation, electrolysis, etc.). When it comes to chlorine-treated pools, the wintering process requires the following guidelines:
– check that the water temperature is below 15 ºC.
– clean the entire bottom and walls of the pool.
– perform the filter wash (approx. 5 min.).
– analyze the water and adjust the pH level .
– perform a shock chlorination that will eliminate any microorganisms that may remain in water.
To avoid discoloration of the coating, it is advisable to use a float that will keep the water always moving or introduce chlorodirectly into the skimmers. It is advisable to let the chlorine act for at least 6 hours before proceeding to the next step.
– With the pool filter in operation, add invernator in the indicated dose and evenly.
– Then we stop the water circulation in the pool, closing the injectors, skimmers and bottom drains.
– Re-measure pH levels . Remember that the winterer must be applied twice, the first when starting the wintering process and the second half of the winter season (January / February).

SWIMMING POOLS WITH SALINE CHLORATION
If the water temperature is above 15 ° C, keep the equipment running long enough (the lower the temperature, the shorter the filtration time) to maintain the residual chlorine level between 0, 5 and 1.0 ppm, adjusting the pH between 7.2-7.4, manually or automatically. If the water temperature is below 15 ° C, electrically disconnect the electrolysis equipment, remove the chlorine generating cell, clean it with electrolytic cell descaler and eliminate any encrustation that may be attached to the plates. Then, store the chlorine generating cell in a dry place, protected from the weather. If you have pH or pH / Rx control and regulation equipment, we must remove the electrodes and protect properly. Finally, we will follow the classic wintering treatment.

WHICH PRODUCT TO USE?
Winters are easy to apply products and work very efficiently. They are usually of universal use for any type of swimming pool with or without cover and do not require more maintenance during the winter. Generally, the formula is varied, but it is a compound formulated with agents disinfectants (chlorine, benzalkonium chloride, etc.), algicides (copper sulfate, quaternary ammonium, etc.), a metal remover (to prevent calcification, for example), in addition to other products.