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Winter Pool Supplies Buyer's Guide
Whether winter is right around the corner, or already in full swing for you, it's never too late to stock up on essential winter pool chemicals! Check out this list of the best pool chemicals to keep on hand during winter. Not only will they keep your pool fresh, clean, and clear during the frosty months, but they'll make pool opening a breeze.
Winter Pool Chemicals
Keeping your pool water fresh, clean, and clear all winter is no small feat! But with the right chemicals and helpful tools, your pool will be in top shape come spring time. Below is a list of our favorite winter pool chemicals and how to use them.
Algaecides
One of the most valuable pool chemicals, algaecides prevent algae from forming and growing in your pool. Usually 1 quart will do it, for a pool up to 25,000 gallons. The best algaecide for winter use would be a bottle labeled "60", which is a 60% solution. We also sell a "50", but this is a different formula, which may not work as well in all situations.
Phosphate Removers
Phosphate removers are a good idea for pools that have been battling algae during the summer, or for mesh covered pools that tend to open up green and messy in the spring. Phosphates are a major food source for algae, and can be easily removed by pouring in a bottle of phosphate remover.
Metal Removers
Metal removers help prevent stains and scale from attaching to your pool surfaces. They do this by keeping minerals locked-up in solution, so they can't deposit themselves onto your pool.
Enzymes
Enzymes like the WinterPill can be added to pools to digest oils, pollutants, and contaminants that eat up your winter pool chemicals. If your pool is in a smoggy area, or if you have lots of springtime pollen, using an enzyme helps keep the water clear.
Chlorine
Keeping a steady level of chlorine in the pool during the winter is important. Use a chlorine tablet floater to provide a consistent supply of chlorine to your pool during the off season.
Pool Closing Kits
And speaking of pool closing kits, they are the easy, breezy way to take care of winter pool chemical needs. We have pool closing kits for every size of pool, from 7,500 gallons to 35,000 gallons. Winter kits are convenient and economical to use, and are less expensive than buying chemicals separately. Plus, they include basic pool winterization instructions and tips on keeping your pool clear all winter long!
Winter Pool Cover Accessories
Covering your pool properly is key to an easy spring pool opening. We have a large variety of accessories to help keep the pool covered and protect it from harsh weather.
Above Ground Pool Covers
Strong winds can pull a cover right off your above ground pool, damaging the cover and rail. Use a cover seal or cover clips to secure the cover, and protect your cover against strong winds. Place air pillows underneath your cover to break up the sheet of ice that forms across the pool surface.
Inground Pool Covers
Inground pool covers need water bags to hold them in place, and a cover pump to keep rain water and snow melt pumped off the pool cover. Too much water on top can stress the cover, or pull the cover into the pool. In spring, standing water can attract frogs, worms and mosquitoes, so it's best to keep your pool cover pumped off and clean.
Leaves around the pool can make cover removal a chore, and can damage the pool cover or leak into the pool. Use a leaf net on top of your solid winter cover, to make leaf removal easier.
Safety pool covers may need special parts and accessories for protection during the winter. Tools such as replacement anchors, straps or springs, specialty stakes, or a new installation rod up the deck anchors.
Pool Winterizing Supplies
Winter plugs are necessary to plug the plumbing lines on your pool, to keep water from filling the lines after they are drained or blown out with air.
Skimmer covers allow vinyl pools to keep the water level at normal levels during winter, which protects the liner, while keeping water from entering the skimmer.
Antifreeze for pools can be added to pipes to prevent freezing, if you don't blow the lines, or even if you do - they provide an extra layer of protection, in case freeze plugs begin to leak.
For the best protection against expensive underground plumbing damage, blow the lines out with air. You can use a small compressor, on a low setting, or for best results, blow the lines like a pro using our cyclone blower, which will even blow out main drain pipes.
With the right pool closing products, you can easily and successfully winterize your pool. Check out our other blog posts for more tips on closing your pool!
How to Blow Out Pool Lines for Winter
10 Steps to Winterize Your Inground Pool
10 Steps to Winterize Above Ground Swimming Pools