WINTERIZATION INDUSTRY BEST PRACTICE
Zodiac Pool Systems, Inc. 1-800-822-7933 Regional Extension www.zodiacpoolsystems.com Zodiac Academy zodiac.academy@zodiac.com www.zodiacacademy.com Instructor: Email: Sales person: Phone: Sales person: Phone: Sales person: Phone: Sales person: Phone: Service Manager: Phone: Service Manager: Phone: 2
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS The information contained in this technical guide is intended for Zodiac trained service personnel only. Electrical installation and repairs should only be performed by a certified electrician or Zodiac trained professional. and must comply with all national electric codes (NEC, Canadian, etc.). state and local law, ordinances, codes and regulations. If you have not received training, do not attempt any of the electrical repairs presented in this document. Contact Zodiac Pool Systems, Inc. at 1-800-822-7933 for assistance. Read and follow all instructions carefully. When servicing equipment, basic safety precautions should always be followed including those listed below. TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK: Disconnect main power to pool equipment area prior to any service or repairs. Keep all electrical equipment at least 10 feet (3m) from inside wall of pool or spa. Connect equipment only to a receptacle (cord models) or circuit (hardwired) protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). Use only copper conductors and supply wires suitable for the specific device. Replace damaged power cord(s) immediately and use only identical replacement parts. Do not bury power cord(s). Position cord(s) to minimize abuse from lawn mowers, hedge trimmers and other equipment. Do not install or service equipment if precipitation is present or imminent. TO REDUCE EQUIPMENT WATER PRESSURE HAZARD: Always turn pump off to release pressure prior to removing or installing in-line equipment. To avoid equipment damage, do not exceed water pressure (psi) specifications for the device. To reduce the risk of injury, do not permit children to operate, handle or play on equipment.
WINTERIZATION: THE ACT OF TAKING PROACTIVE MEASURES TO PROTECT YOUR SWIMMING POOL INVESTMENT BY PROTECTING IT FROM THE HARSH WINTER WEATHER PURPOSE: TO PREVENT DAMAGE CAUSED BY FREEZING CONDITIONS INDUSTRY STANDARD 10 BEST PRACTICE STEPS: 1. BALANCE THE POOL CHEMISTRY 2. END OF SEASON CLEANING 3. PARTIAL DRAIN (REFER TO AHJ FOR WATER TABLE INFORMATION) 4. WINTER CHEMICAL TREATMENT 5. FILTER CLEAN 6. REMOVE DRAIN PLUGS 7. CLEAR THE LINES 8. PLUG THE LINES 9. INSTALL SKIMMER GUARD 10. DISCONNECT THE POWER
STEP 1 BALANCE THE POOL CHEMISTRY DEFEND AGAINST STAINING 3 7 DAYS PRIOR TO CLOSING Ph 7.2 7.8 ALKALINITY 80 120ppm CALCIUM HARDNESS 200 400 PPM LSI 0.0 TO 0.5 ADD GRANULAR CHLORINE SHOCK CLEAN THE POOL STEP 2 TAKE PREVENTIVE MEASURES THE CLEANER YOU START THE CLEANER YOU FINISH ANY DEBRIS LEFT BEHIND DILUTES THE STRENGTH OF THE WINTERIZING CHEMICALS USED
LOWER THE POOL WATER STEP 3 PARTIAL DRAIN DEPTH VARIES BY REGION AND COVER TYPE APSP RECOMMENDED DEPTHS AS FOLLOWS VINYL LINED: 1 inch below skimmer or tile line, whichever is lower PLASTER FINISH W/SOLID COVER: 1-6 inches below the skimmer or tile line, whichever is lower PAINTED OR NATURAL FINISH W/SOLID COVER: 6 inches below skimmer WITH NO COVER OR MESH COVER: 18-24 inches below skimmer WITH AUTOMATIC COVER: no lower than the bottom of skimmer STEP 4 WINTER CHEMICAL TREATMENT CLOSING KITS ALGAECIDES BORATE FLOATERS STAIN REMOVER/PREVENTER SCALE REMOVER/PREVENTER NON-CHLORINE SHOCK NATURAL ENZYME PRE SPRING CHECK-UP
STEP 5 FILTER CLEAN DE / SAND VS CARTRIDGE STORE GRIDS/CARTRIDGES COMPLETELY DRAIN DRAIN PLUGS PUMPS FILTERS HEATERS VALVES INJECTION SITES STEP 6
CLEAR THE LINES STEP 7 DIRECT FROM PUMP THREADED DRAIN PLUG FROM SKIMMER TO SKIMMER THROUGH MULTIPORT VALVE INJECTION SITES WARNING Care must be taken to use the proper procedures and equipment (e.g. wet/dry shop vacuum, low pressure air compressor, etc.) since pool equipment and lines cannot take excessive pressure and overpressure could present a safety hazard. This process should only be performed by an appropriately trained professional familiar with the potential hazards associated with pressurized air. PLUG THE LINES SKIMMERS RETURNS CLEANER LINES SPA JETS WATER FEATURES ALL EXPOSED LINES STEP 8
SKIMMER GUARD STEP 9 ALLOWS ICE TO EXPAND SAFELY PROTECTS SKIMMER WALLS CLEANER LINES USE A 2 LITTER SODA BOTTLE FILLED WITH A FEW INCHES OF PEBBLES TO ADD BALLIST. IT WILL PARTIALLY FLOAT IF THE WATER RISES, AND IF IT REFREEZES THE ICE WILL COLLAPSE THE BOTTLE AND NOT THE SKIMMER WALLS. DISCONNECT THE POWER STEP 10 AT THE BREAKER REMEMBER DOG EARS (JUST IN CASE SOMEONE RESUPPLIES THE POWER) IDENTIFY FREEZE PROTECT CIRCUITS (LOOK FOR SPECIAL PROGRAMMING THAT MAY NEED ADJUSTMENTS) TAG THE BREAKER (ELECTRICAL TAPE OR I.D. TAG)
FILTERS Turn off the pump and circuit breakers. Open air release valve on top of the filter. Remove the drain plug at the base of the filter to ensure that the tank empties. Store the drain plug and o-ring in a safe place(do not reinstall until next season at start-up). Drain system piping of all water. If the filter has a backwash valve, backwashing the filter should be done first before draining. If a multiport backwash valve has a "Winterize" position, move selector lever to that position which leaves all ports partially open for the winter non-operation, and on some backwash valves also moves the seal to a relaxed position. PUMPS Drain all water from the pump, system equipment, and piping. Remove the two (2) drain plugs. Store the drain plugs in a safe location and be sure not to lose the o- rings. Keep the motor covered and dry. Do not cover it with plastic, as this will create condensation and this moisture will damage the pump. When the system is reopened for operation, make sure all piping, valves, wiring, and equipment are in accordance with the manufacturer s recommendations. Pay close attention to the filter and electrical connections. The pump must be primed prior to starting; refer to your owners manual Start up procedures for your spring start-up and further instructions. To protect your pump, Zodiac Pool Systems, Inc. recommends having a qualified service technician or electrician properly disconnect the electrical wiring at the switch or junction box. Once the power is removed, the two (2) unions can be loosened and the pump stored indoors. For safety, and to prevent entry of contaminants, reinstall all conduit and terminal box covers.
HEATERS Turn off the electrical supply and the main gas supply to the heater. Remove the heater access panel. Turn off gas valve inside the heater. Remove the drain plug from the inlet/outlet header and completely drain the heater before the first frost. After all water has drained from the heater, check for mineral buildup in the openings. Inspect the gasket on the drain plug. Store the drain plug in a safe place for winter. Cover the vent grill with plastic so that snow will not accumulate and freeze in the combustion chamber. Remove and drain the pressure switch tubing. To prevent excess condensate in the combustion chamber it is recommended that the water temperature be maintained at 70 degrees or higher. The heater should not be used when water temperatures below 41 degrees or if the ambient air temperature around the heater is below 21 degrees. HEAT PUMPS Turn off the electrical power to the heat pump at the main breaker panel. Shut off the water supply to the heat pump. Disconnect the water inlet and outlet unions as well as the winterizing drain plug (if applicable) located on the lower front panel of the heat pump. The heat exchanger will drain through these water connections. Cover only the top of the heat pump to prevent debris from falling into the unit. Do not wrap the sides of the heat pump with any plastic or other material that will retain heat or moisture inside the unit.
SALT SYSTEMS DISCONNECT POWER SOURCE ADJUST ALL NECESSARY VALVES OPEN FILTER AIR RELIEF REMOVE/CLEAN AND STORE CELL INSTALL WINTERIZING KIT PER INSTALL MANUAL GENERATOR APURE Ei TruClear WINTERIZATION KIT SP3P R0512700 R0621900 THRESHOLD TEMPS: APURE & TRUCLEAR 54, Ei 51 Very little chlorine is needed in cold water. Below threshold temperatures chlorine production is not permitted; operating the chlorinator in cold water might result in over-chlorinated pool water. If preventative measures are not taken, freezing water may cause severe damage to the cell and flow/temp/salinity sensor. Prevent freeze damage to the cell and flow/temp/salinity sensor by running pump continuously or winterize pool by draining water from pump, filter, and all intake and return lines. LIGHTS WINTERIZATION WATER LEVEL Requires 2" - 4 below light Recommended 12" below light The water level should be lowered to approximately 12 inches below the pool lights. Make certain that the water is drained out of the wall housing. Minimum safeguard requires dropping the water level 2-4 below the light. As a general rule, large pool lights are unattached from the wall, weighted and lowered to below the water line to prevent being exposed to the air. While smaller LED lights are generally left loose in the wall fitting or completely removed from the pool.
OZONE Disconnect the power to the ozone generator. After the generator has been shut down, the pool water circulation pump may be turned off. Disconnect the ozone tubing and tube adapter from the unit and store indoors. Install the 3/4 pipe cap provided on to the injector to seal the system. Blow the plumbing lines clear as normal winterizing procedures call for. QT BLOWER Drain the water from the spa to at least 2 to 4 inches below the air lines. Turn the blower on until water no longer comes out of the lines. Turn the power off at the blower. If possible turn off power source. If the air hole returns are in a vertical direction or angled where water may accumulate, preventative action should be done to prevent possible freezing in the pipes.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS When considering winterization, many factors can alter the type of pool closure that is necessary. It is important to understand what priority to place on the individual factors. Such factors include: type of pool finish, tiles or no tiles, type and depth of lights, using a winterizing cover and what type of cover, even the demographic can greatly change the type of procedures you can use for a long term pool closure. Please follow all the manufactures procedures and consult an industry professional whenever needed. WARNING Prior to draining the pool, check with your local authority having jurisdiction regarding water disposal rules and check with the National Water Information System at http://waterdata.usgs.gov or create a Flood Insurance Rate Map through FEMA at https://msc.fema.gov/portal/search regarding the water tables in your area. Notes: 14
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