Pool Cleaning Yeah!

Closing the Pool for Fall:

How to start a pool cleaning Business, well starting in the fall is a great way! How you close your pool for the cooler part of the year depends on whether you live in the snow belt or the sun belt. In the sun belt, it's largely just a matter of slowing down the filtration and placing a cover on it to reduce evaporation. In the snow belt, however, it is another story. In cold areas, precautions need to be taken to make sure damage does not occur because of freezing water.

The process of closing a swimming pool for the fall needs to begin at least 4 to 7 days before the actual closing. Start with a thorough cleaning of the pool. Use a pool brush to thoroughly scrub the sides and floor of the pool, then give it a thorough vacuuming. When the pool has been cleaned, test the water and get it balanced to a pH of 7.2 to 7.6. The alkalinity should be adjusted to 80 to 120 ppm. Calcium hardness needs to be between 180 and 220 ppm. When the pool has been adjusted to these figures, give it a good shock with a chlorine or a non-chlorine shock product.

Allow the chlorine to reduce naturally for several days and test it again. When it has fallen to below 3.0, add a winterizing algaecide. It is important to let the chlorine level fall because the chlorine will cause a floating pool cover to decompose. Remove all of the accessories from the pool, such as cleaning apparatus and the ladder if you haven't already done so. Drain off a bit of the water until the level is at least a foot below the level of the skimmer.

Make sure all water is drained out of all pipes and hoses because they are likely to break in freezing weather. You can use an air compressor to blow all the water out of the pipes. An alternative way to winterize pipes is to add a product known as pool antifreeze. Use a lubricant on any moving parts of the pump and filter assembly to keep them from rusting.

You will need to have a pool cover on hand. You can use a mesh cover or a waterproof cover. There are pros and cons to each. Mesh covers keep the leaves and debris out but allow rain water to get through. Waterproof covers keep the rainwater out, too, which can help keep algae from developing through the winter. The use of a pool air pillow in the center of the pool can help keep the pool cover from the surface of the water. Place the pool cover on the pool securely but not too tightly so that it can expand and contract with the water. Enjoy your winter and look forward to fun in the sun next year. What ever the time of year it is it is a great time to start a pool cleaning Business. If done right can be a great way to make income and be your own boss!