Hivernage Actif - Your filtration at slow motion
Winterization of your pool, we’re there!! Or almost (12/15°)
Here are some recommendations to facilitate your restart in the spring (from 15°) and avoid unnecessary product consumption.Between the moment you turn off your devices: 15° and the moment you carry out your winterization, you can switch to manual disinfection mode, using slow chlorine or calcium hypochlorite (roller/ stick).1.Turn off automatic devices below 15°
PH regulator: Purge the tubes (suction and discharge), as well as the peristaltic tube: sulfuric acid (ph-) attacks flexible pvc tubes and seals. This can cause hardening, cracks and clogging in the pipes, etc...The Ph probe can be stored in a special solution, or left in the circuit (if no plug or old probe)Never leave the probe in the open. Electrolyser: Disable chlorine production: (off position, Winter, stop, set to 0 production or disconnect cell power). Below 15° : chlorine production is inefficient and this temperature can damage the cell. If limescale deposits are visible on the cell, it is important to clean it with a suitable product, thus the limestone will not reduce the production of chlorine the following season. 3 cell storage solutions: 1. If the manufacturer’s cap is provided, disassemble it and store it in a dry place. 2.If no manufacturer’s cap: put the cell back on the circuit without operating it (if risk of freezing is low). 3. Used the by-pass if equipped (attention to the sealing of the joints once assembled).
Use of the robot: For most, no use below 15°, motors, sensors are not designed to operate in cold water. Below 15° : The greases, lubricants thicken which increases the mechanical resistance, the start becomes more difficult and the robot can move safely, wear of the axles, cracking of the wheels, tracks or belts...Heat Pump: Shutdown and protection, cut off its power supply and close the isolation valves to disconnect it from the hydraulic circuit (bypass). Completely drain the exchanger, eliminate all residual water that could freeze. Protect the device (cover ...) while letting some air circulate to avoid condensation.Full inverter models can be equipped with an off-frost mode (manufacturer’s specific winterization procedure).2. Cleaning of the basin and filtration.
Very important before any treatment: - Clean, scrub the walls, bottom, water line, vacuum debris, empty the skimmer and pre-filter baskets, brush the angles, steps, joints),- Cleaning of the sand filter: BackWash and rinsing the filter...- Optional but recommended: Use a chemical descaler (liquid filter cleaner) to remove limestone deposits, clogging and sanitize the filter media by soaking overnight and rinsing twice.3. Water balance and wintering
The imperative step (with or without auto devices)Check and correct in order:Cya /Alk/ pH/ Phosphate/ Metals etca. CYA: the rate of cyanuric acid/stabilizer . Cyanuric acid (CYA on your strips) protects chlorine from its degradation by UV rays and allows effective disinfection for longer in water. - But be careful because an excessive value of CYA is radical.
- The stabilizer is to be added during the impoundment or installation of an electrolyser, but it is also present in all the so-called "stabilized" chlorines.The quantity of CYA must be respected: Ideal value between 30 and 40mg/lNot enough CYA: The chlorine does not "set", it is therefore not residual, it evaporates (beware of swimming pools with a salt treatment, the produced chlorine does not include a stabilizer, it must be adjusted manually at the time of impoundment and upstream of the season such as salt intake). Too much CYA: chlorine partially or completely loses its disinfectant power, it remains present but becomes less active, it disinfects poorly, loses its oxidizing power, allows algae and bacteria to develop and disturbs the water. The chlorine is ‘blocked ’. The stabilizer (CYA) does not disappear, it accumulates in water with each addition of stabilized chlorine. When it becomes too high, simply replace (drain) the volume of water based on the CYA rate recorded (There is a product that reduces the CYA rate but it remains random and expensive!!). IMPORTANT: RENEW 1/3 OF THE VOLUME OF WATER IN YOUR POOL PER YEARb. ALK: The alkalinity rate:Ideally between 90 and 120mg/literTo check and correct, before the ph! Because without the right alkalinity level, your pH value fluctuates and its value is random. - Alkalinity is the buffer base that allows the pH to be stable and prevents its variations. - If the alkalinity is too low, the pH fluctuates (yoyo effect)- If the Alk is too high, the pH becomes very difficult to correct.The more the alkalinity is correct, the more the pH remains stable despite the products, the rain or the use of the pool.c. The pH level:The ideal pH level is 7.2d. Complementary Products (if necessary):It can be an anti-phosphate product, a metal sequestrant, a coating stain remover, an anti-algae...
The chlorine rate must be between 1 and 3mg/l, make these additional treatments before shock chloration inherent in winterizing. Because with cold water, the chlorine level goes down very slowly, if the chlorine level is too high, the treatments would be ineffective.4. Shock chlorine:
When the balance parameters are ok:Treat with a shock chlorine:- Favor a calcium hypochlorite if the CYA value is high, if on the contrary CYA too low promote a stabilized shock chlorine. Non-stop filtration for 24/48 hours.Flocculant in the skimmer (not for cartridge filters or Desjoyaux system!! Use a clarifier). Following this treatment, redo a bottom suction to drain the oxidized organic matter to leave no bacteriological residue or debris before adding the winterizing product.I winterize' when the water is crystalline!
5. Contribution of winterizing product:
24 to 48h after shock chlorination.Attention !!! Choosing a good product, this one will allow to stop any chlorine supply and/or derivative treatment (winterizing diffuser etc... ) during this period, (because the prolonged supply of chlorine would be ineffective and would increase the intake of stabilizer during the winter and make treatments difficult at the beginning of the season. See risk of over-stabilization (CYA).Your filtration will be slowed down, so it is important to have a product with a high anti-limescale content to protect your installation and the coating of your pool.It facilitates the return to service by limiting organic and mineral deposits, which reduces proliferation risks. It protects the water, the walls, the equipment.6. Filtration Time & Valve Settings & Positions.
The goal is to maintain minimal water circulation (especially in frost-sensitive areas).
It is good to program the clock so as to filter from 5 to 8 o'clock in the morning, the fact of filtering at these hours homogenizes the cooler temperature of the morning, contributes to the limit of proliferation and allows to avoid limescale or biofilm deposits under the tarp or the shutter. (Risk of frost: filtration 24/24h).
The valve settings can be reversed: Bottom drain open to bottom and skimmer 1⁄4, this allows a better uplift of cold water to the surface and ensures homogeneous circulation in the basin.
Attention, during a prolonged absence and in order to avoid the deactivation of your pump, it is preferable to close the skimmer valve and leave only the bottom drain open so that the suction remains constant and secure.
7.Water level
During active wintering, the water level can vary, depending on the rains, evaporation (low), possible leaks etc... With the skimmer open at 1⁄4, ensure that the level remains at least halfway up the skimmer to avoid any air intake, which would damage your filtration pump after turning 'dry'.
Conclusion
Winterizing a pool requires a bit of attention, but it guarantees a simple and economical restart in the spring. By following these points, you ensure the proper protection of your installation throughout the cold season.
This list covers the main steps but each basin has its particularities, it may be necessary to follow other specific instructions depending on your equipment and your environment..