The wintering pool salt is relatively similar to that of a primary pool. However, we will see that there are some subtleties to take into account to conserve your water and your equipment as well as possible.
What is the use of winterizing your pool?
Wintering is just as crucial for necessary pools as salt pools. If not done correctly, your pool and your equipment are at significant risk of deterioration. A salt pool has the same filtration system as a regular pool. The water must therefore have roughly the same chemical balance. The difference between the two types of swimming pool lies mainly in the management of chlorine. Indeed, the salt pool generally uses electrolysis, which makes it possible to produce chlorine thanks to the salt and the electricity.
Most electrolyzes are equipped with sensors that measure the conductivity of the water and tell you when it is necessary to add salt. During summer periods, your generator set works efficiently due to the heat of the water, but during the winter, the system will be affected by the cooling of the temperature. As the weather cools, the conductivity of the water decreases and the sensors may call for more salt than necessary. This can raise the pH and make the water corrosive. It is, therefore, essential to take care of the wintering carefully to avoid this type of problem.
Winterizing your salt pool: the steps in the process
Step 1: Test the salt level
As salt sensors become less reliable as the temperature cools, it is essential to test the salt level manually with test strips, which are not affected by temperature.
Step 2: Balance the water in your pool
For the water to be perfectly balanced, you must pay particular attention to the pH (which should be between 7 and 7.4), but also to the alkalinity, which should be between 80 and 120 ppm, as well as the water hardness, which should be between 200 and 400 ppm.
Step 3: Add an anti-coloring agent
During winter periods, the minerals present in the water tend to settle on the sides and at the bottom of the pool. To avoid this, add a product intended to remove deposits for salt pools. Turn on the pump and circulate the product through the water for at least eight hours before covering the pool. You can also add an enzymatic product to protect your pool from stains.
Step 4: Take care of the electrolysis
Consult the manufacturer’s instructions for specific details on how to set electrolysis for winterization. Some manufacturers recommend that you drain all the water, while others recommend leaving a mixture of water and non-toxic antifreeze in the device. If the generator is easy to remove, the best thing to do is to unplug it to store it in a safe place for the winter.
Step 5: Cover the pool
Place two or more air cushions on the surface of the water to support the cover, then secure the cover to cover the entire pool well. Also, make sure that the tarp is well supported so that it does not blow away at the slightest gust of wind.
Usage recommendations
- Stop the electrolysis below 15 ° C while leaving the filtration active (water above 5 ° C). Below these 15 ° C, the electrochemical reaction would cause erosion, which would decrease the life of your plate set.
- Watch for scale and corrosion on the installation plates.
- Watch the salt level.
- Regularly check the ph of the water (between 7.2 and 7.4).
How does winterizing a salt pool work?
The salt pool operates using an electrolyzer (earthed), placed at the filter outlet in the technical room of your installation.
1. When the saltwater passes, the electrolyzer plate set initiates the electrolysis action.
2. The latter decomposes the salt into chlorine (sodium hypochlorite).
3. Once the filtration cycle is complete, the chlorine turns back into salt under the action of the UV filter. This is called “an infinite cycle.”
For the mechanism to work correctly, the salt content here should be 3 to 7 gr / l of water (depending on the supplier).
Calculate the weight of salt to integrate into the pool:
Conclusion on winterizing a salt pool
Both for a salt pool and for a classic pool, wintering is essential to maintain the pool as well as possible. Without this process, the chances of deterioration of the pelvis are high.
But do not panic! If you perform the 5 steps that we recommend correctly, while respecting all the precautionary measures, your pool will be properly maintained during the winter.
Tip for maintaining your pool at a lower cost
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