November Newsletter 2024 Volume 6
Now is the ideal time to close your pool for the winter as the water temperature is cool enough that your chemicals aren’t going to be eaten up by the warmer water temperature. Several people have asked whether they need to lower their pool water or not. People who have a winter cover, will not need to lower their water, but they will need to add a Gizzmo to their skimmer for skimmer freeze protection. Those who do not use a cover will need to lower their pool water 3 to 4 inches below their skimmer. The advantage of lowering your water level below the skimmer is that it will help prevent your skimmer from freezing and cracking. You will also need to plug your skimmer hole with a Gizzmo to keep water from getting in. The Gizzmo acts as a buffer, so when water enters your skimmer and freezes, it will crack the Gizzmo instead of your skimmer.
If you have an Above Ground Pool with metal walls, you won’t need a Gizzmo if your pool isn’t hard piped. Simply remove the hose from the bottom of the skimmer to allow the water to drain out so there is no danger of freezing. Be sure to drain your sand filter. There is a plug at the bottom of the tank, remove it to drain. Be sure there is no water in your pump motor. Most people usually remove them for the winter and store in the garage.
Calcium Boosters—What do they do?
Sirona Calcium Booster is a water balancer made especially for hot tubs and is a safe and efficient liquid that will raise the level of calcium hardness in your spa water. It will also aid in the prevention of corrosion of your spa equipment due to low calcium levels and help prevent foaming. Sirona Calcium Booster is compatible with all sanitizers including bromine, chlorine, ozone, and biguanide. Use this product to safely maintain a calcium level between 150-400 ppm. It works along with Total Alkalinity and pH to balance your water.
Calcium is needed for water balance, (it is in your water source) however a high level of calcium over the recommended amount can cause scaling, cloudy water, and makes your sanitizer less effective. To lower high calcium dilute with additional water and rebalance. Proper water maintenance is essential for hot tub enjoyment and water safety.
Plan Ahead for Snow Days! Get your spa chemicals now!
We have new spas in stock so you can be ready for winter enjoyment.
Important Note From the Service Department
OmniLogic – Freeze Protect Mode
As a rule, you don’t run the heater for freeze protection, and the heater shouldn’t be depended on to keep your system from freezing. Heater damage can occur if the heater is kept running for extended periods with freezing or very cold water temperature.
The purpose of freeze protect is to keep your water moving protecting the pool and pool equipment from freeze damage during freezing temperatures. Moving water does not freeze. When your freeze protection is on and the air temperature drops below the freeze level of 33—42 degrees F (this temperature will be used on all water features that have the freeze protection enabled), the OmniLogic will turn on your pump to circulate your water. If you have a controller and your pool and spa are both set up on freeze protect, the valves will alternate between the pool and spa every 30 minutes. The pump will turn off while the valves are turning. If you do not have a controller, you will have to manage it manually. Your water features will only run as well as they are set up. Your chlorinator will not work if freeze protection is the only reason your freeze protection is running.
You can disable freeze protection under configuration or hit the snow flake on the screen, and hit the override time for the amount of time you need it to be turned off.
If are not having a power outage, keep your pool equipment running 24/7 until the air temperatures increase above freezing.
If your power is out and the temperature falls below freezing, turn off all pool equipment breakers. Even if your power is out, turn your breakers off that provide electricity to your pool and spa equipment to prevent system damage. Turn the air relief lever 80 degrees to release air from the filter. Remove the drain plug on the bottom of the filter to remove all the water. Turn off the auto-fill and make sure the feed line pipe is wrapped.
Open the inline chlorinator lid and let it drain. Leave the lid off. Remove check valve screws from the check valve lids to keep them from breaking. Remove the clear cover and the spring-loaded flap on the inside; making sure not to lose or damage the rubber spring/gasket on the inside.
Unplug and remove your salt chlorine generator from the system. If you can’t get it off, open the salt cell to remove any water inside the pipe.
Remove the heater winterizing drain plug. This will be located on the manifold of the heater where the PVC pipes are attached to the heater. Open both unions on the heater for extra protection. Remove all pump lids to allow air into the pump and keep them off. Remove the pump winterizing plugs located on the bottom of the pump, remove both plugs and keep them off.
Next, remove the 4 unions on the heater bypass valves. Winterize your pressure vacuum breaker. Locate the ball valve shut off which is usually located in a landscape box inline between the water meter and pressure vacuum breaker. Turn both valve handles 45 degrees to pipes. Remove the relief valve caps and open up relief valve screws to drain water out of the system. Make sure pipes and pressure valve breaker is wrapped with insulation or winter freeze covering.