Winterization Of An Ionized Pool

There are two methods that can be followed when the pool is to be completely shut down:

Method 1

1. About 6 weeks before the season ends turn off the ionizer and let the copper level fall to less than .3ppm. The time it takes for the level to drop will depend on pool use and environment.

2. Treat the pool as any other pool would be treated for winterization.

3. Make sure the water is balanced (pH, T/A, Hardness, TDS). This is very important.

4. Make sure that a good stain preventative or sequestering agent is used before closing down.

5. If a sanitizer or shock that is based on lithium chloride is used, do not put too much in. More is Not Better!

6. When spring arrives let the chlorine residual drop below .5ppm.

7. Follow the Start-Up instructions in your ionization system manual for a new pool.

Method 2

1. About 6 weeks before the season ends turn off the ionizer and let the copper level fall to .3 to .4ppm (not any higher!). The time it takes for the level to drop will depend on pool use and environment.

2. Make sure the water is balanced (pH, T/A, Hardness, TDS). This is very important.

3. Be sure and shock the pool with a non-chlorine shock each week. This makes sure there is a very small amount or no organic material in the pool. Do Not Put One Extra Large Dose In The Pool! Add the normal amount each week. (1 1/2 cups per week)

4. Treat the pool as any other pool would be treated for winterization except do not used any algaecide (this is what the copper does).

Items 5 and 6 are critical.

5. Make sure the water is balanced (pH, T/A, Hardness, TDS).

6. Make sure that a good stain preventative or sequestering agent is used before closing down.

7. Use about half the recommended amount of shock for winterization if the shock is a form of chlorine.

8. When spring arrives balance the water (pH, T/A, Hardness, TDS) if a chlorine shock was used for winterization let the chlorine level drop below .5ppm.

9. Add a full dosage of Pool Stain Treat (by United Chemical) and shock the pool.

10. Then follow the initialization instructions in the ionizer owner's manual to get the copper level back up to .4ppm to .5ppm.

Top Of Page

If the pool is not being shut down completely, the following is suggested:

1. Maintain proper water balance (pH, T/A, Hardness and Total Dissolved Solids). Check the Hardness and Total Dissolved Solids at least every other month. It is very important to make sure the hardness is kept within the range of 150 to 300 ppm.

2. Reduce the copper level to .3-.4 PPM depending on the water temperature. In colder climates this can be accomplished by lowering the level, then turning the ionization output control to "0".

3. Check the copper level during the winter at least every two weeks and make sure the proper level is maintained.

4. Oxidation Guidelines:

Water temperature between 70 and 55 degrees - Add oxidizer normally.
Water temperature between 55 and 45 degrees - Add oxidizer twice a month.
Water temperature between 45 and 40 degrees - Add oxidizer once a month.

5. Pool filtration times can be reduced to 4-6 hours per day depending on use and environment.

6. When spring arrives add a full dosage of Pool Stain Treat (by United Chemical).

7. Establish the normal copper level for your pool. It may be necessary to follow the "Start-up Procedure" in the owner's manual to get the copper level back up to its normal level.

  Top of Page