How to Winterize Sand Filters for Above Ground Pools?
Winter is coming. And with colder weather, below-freezing temperatures, and snow on the ground, winterizing your above-ground pool is at the top of your mind. One step in winterizing your pool that many people forget about are sand filters. Did you know that winterizing your sand filter can yield up to 95% more filtration efficiency? It’s true, and it’s easy. The process of winterizing a pool filter is not much different than the process of installing one. We’ll go over winterizing sand filters for above-ground pools and some tips on how best to care for them throughout the year.
Unless you live in the tropics where you have access to your pool all year long, then during winter, you may want to cover your pool to protect and prepare it for summer. And, if you happen to live in a frigid climate, leaving your pool unattended for long can result in costly repair services once the ice thaws out. If you are one of those people spending thousands on repairs and you don’t know why then not winterizing your pool is the reason.
Reasons You Should Winterize Your Pool
In case you’re not convinced, below are a couple of reasons showing why it’s important to winterize your pool and sand filters.
- Cracking pipes. In some areas where winter leads to freezing temperatures, if you do not close your pool’s system, you may experience cracks in your pipes.
- Bacteria contamination. If you do not winterize your pool, whatever harmful bacteria collected will thrive, multiply, and potentially cause a host of health challenges.
- Premature wear and tear. If exposed to extreme temperatures for long, various parts of your pool’s system will become damaged.
Tips on Winterizing Sand Filters
The first step to winterizing sand filters for above-ground pools is to not wait until winter starts. You should start doing several steps before winter sets in, making it harder to do so. For instance, you want to vacuum your pool, brush the sides and ensure your pool has the right chemical balance.
The next step is to drain the water from the system. However, before you do that, be sure to backwash or clean out any filters in that system. This will prevent anything unwanted from becoming stuck in the system. Clean the filter to ensure you don’t encourage a breeding ground that will fester throughout winter.
After you’re done removing dirt and debris, give the valve a rinse and wipe it down. This will prevent any dirt, grime, or dust from getting into the system and preventing it from functioning during summer.
Once you’re all done cleaning your filter, shut off your pump and open up valves to drain water away from them; this is the “winterize” setting. Ensure all the water from the tank is drained by removing the drain cap. Once that’s all finished, put caps on the openings of every valve to protect them.
Store away hoses, sand filter, pump, and the drain cap in a dry place during winter. When it’s summer and you’re ready to use your pool again, simply place everything back in its rightful place.
