Do I need the pool store’s “closing chemical kit” when winterizing?

[MikeD842]

Hi All,

Proud new TFP member! I am closing for the first time after using the the TFP methodology this summer, so wanted to ask a question.

I live in PA and close in mid October (reopen April 1). Pool company that does the closing offers to put in a $100 closing chemical kit, that includes: “algaecide, a stain preventative a shock treatment & a floater for the water.”

Should I have them put in these chemicals or does that conflict with TFP guidance? Or better yet, are there chemicals that I can put in myself a few days prior to closing so they have time to circulate?

I have a solid cover, 36k gallon plaster pool, using bleach.

Mike

 

[Newdude]

Should I have them put in these chemicals or does that conflict with TFP guidance?

Can you tell me exactly what the chemicals are ? What they'll do ? Why you need them to do it ? Are you planning on testing before adding each specific chemical then only adding exactly what is actually needed ?

Or just dump all the random bottles and pray ?

Yeah. Sounds silly, huh ?

You should finish the season with everything in range without doing anything special. It's your call if you want to use algecide (polyquat 60, not the copper based ones) and close at half slam, or skip the algecide and close at full slam FC.

Algecide may be a benefit when closing early, because it theoretically lasts longer than the chlorine in the pool. But you're closing plenty late and won't need to bridge that longer span of time. I don't like algecide because it consumes FC, and vice versa, leaving you with less of each. With lower FC, then you need the algecide, but the original FC ate some of the algecide. It's counterproductive IMO when closing late.

 

[SecoSteve]

Hi All,

Proud new TFP member! I am closing for the first time after using the the TFP methodology this summer, so wanted to ask a question.

I live in PA and close in mid October (reopen April 1). Pool company that does the closing offers to put in a $100 closing chemical kit, that includes: “algaecide, a stain preventative a shock treatment & a floater for the water.”

Should I have them put in these chemicals or does that conflict with TFP guidance? Or better yet, are there chemicals that I can put in myself a few days prior to closing so they have time to circulate?

I have a solid cover, 36k gallon plaster pool, using bleach.

Mike

Hello neighbor, Chester County over here. I stopped using the "winterizing kit" two years ago and have not looked back. I make sure my levels are balanced and raise Chlorine level to near SLAM level a day before the pool is closed and I have the same nearly clear water(slightly cloudy with a couple leaves and many worms) when I open in the spring. The same happened when I used to use the winter kit. I have a solid cover.

I stopped using the pool builder to close the pool because I can, and do, close most of the pool by myself. I save myself a couple hundred dollars by cleaning my own filter and vacuuming the pool. I only have someone come and blow out the lines and put on the cover because they assume the liability of any winter pipe damage.

 

[Newdude]

*to pre-answer the obvious next question, the opening kits are full of the same mystery products and don't take into account your pools levels for any parameter, or even your pool volume besides 10k / 20k/ 30k.

Just dump and pray. That'll be $129 please. Cash or card ? Don't forget to come back after for your free test.

 

[PoolStored]

Follow the guide:

Closing an In Ground Pool

Winterizing a pool is essential for keeping your in-ground pool protected during cold-weather months. This Pool Repair guide will show you how to do it.

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[MikeD842]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts! Confirmed what I was thinking. Another $100 saved

 

[Newdude]

I forget where I was, maybe Big Lots, but they had one that was comically generic. Just big words across the box saying pool winterizing kit or such. The three different colored boxes were for gallons. 10k / 20k/ 30k.

I couldn't find any product info on it, even on the boxes/bottle inside.

They were flying off the shelves.