From: "Don Phillipson" 
Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house
Subject: Re: Closing a pool for the winter
Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2003 13:24:24 -0400

"Keith Stedman"  wrote in message
news:q896mv4sr26d12j3sebp7lmfufr7j9esm4@4ax.com...
> I live in the Washington DC area and bought a house this summer that
> has an inground pool.  It is time to close the pool down and I am not
> sure how this process works.  I have a cover that will go on top of
> the pool that will keep leaves out.  My concern is with draining the
> filter and the pipes that go from the pool to the filter.  I assume
> that I drain filter and the above ground PPC piping that is part of
> the manifold system.  Do I drain the pool so the water level is below
> the pools skimmers and somehow drain the water in the piping between
> the filter and the pool?  Should I add a last dose of chemicals prior
> to putting the cover on the pool?
>
> The local pool company wants $125 to perform the close out service and
>  I'd like to avoid the expense.  Any assistance is appreciated.

Your local library is bound to tell you.
1.  Clean thoroughly.
2.  Lower water well below pump connectors.
(E.g. if you get 15 inches of rain over the winter
it would be unwise to keep water level within
20 inches of the connectors.)
3.  Disassemble, drain and store the pump
and all associated piping.
5.  I use no chemicals over the winter because
I have to drain half the water (rain and snowmelt.)

This season I followed for the first time the
Aquapro routine (1 = balance pH, 2 = stabilize,
3 = chlorinate) and have excellent results, at
costs about 1/3 less than before.
--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs (Ottawa, Canada)
dphillipson[at]trytel.com