“How To” Help!

Following is some great “How To” Help advice from the staff at the store. First we have the 'Above Ground' pool info and scroll further down for the 'In Ground' pool instructions.

Is this info not for the correct season? This is the IN Season page. Click HERE to go to the OFF season page.

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If you'd like Snyder to close your pool for you, just call us at (978) 874-2333, oe e-mail us at and we'll be happy to help. Our pricing and details can be found on our SERVICE page.

ABOVE-GROUND POOL WINTERIZING INSTRUCTIONS

• Vacuum entire pool floor and walls if needed; backwash filter thoroughly.
• Super chlorinate pool water with 1 pound per 10,000 gallons of water, add 1 qt. per 10,000 gallons of algaecide.  Sustain customers will also add 32oz. per 20,000 gallons.  We also recommend customers who experience staining due to metals in the water add 1 qt. of metal magnet per 10,000 gallons to prevent staining and metal problems in the spring.  Allow to circulate for 24 hours.
• Clean “bathtub” ring off liner at water level.
• Remove any deck equipment, ladders, games, etc.
• Install a winter freeze-out plug in pool inlet fitting after removing all three pieces of the directional eyeball fitting. A tool is available at the Pool Shed to aid in removal of the eyeball fitting.
• Remove skimmer weir (flapper door) and basket.
• Remove suction hose from front of pump and let pool water drain down to bottom of skimmer.  Leave hose connected to skimmer to allow any water to drain out- DO NOT PLUG!
• Remove inlet hose from filter.  Extend away from pool to allow pool to drain to inlet.  DO NOT PLUG!
• Remove drain plug fro pump bottom and filter tank bottom, place multiport handle in ‘waste’ position and let tank and pump drain.
• Remove pump basket, sight glass and pressure gauge.
• Store all parts together for easy access in spring.
• Install air pillow, if desired, in center of pool, tying if necessary.
• Unroll cover and place on top of pool, keeping it even all around.
• Install cable or rope through sleeves in cover and bind loosely.

Note: You must inspect cover tautness frequently during the fall, winter and spring.  Accumulated water on cover must be drained off periodically until frozen and water must be replenished under the cover to prevent winter damage.

Important note: Loosen cable or band to keep cover loose around pool top seats and uprights.  Severe structural damage may occur if these precautions are not strictly adhered to.  Winter and ice damage are not covered under manufacturers warranty.

Note: Cable must NOT be under or around skimmer at any time!  It must be tucked under top seat above skimmer cover to prevent unnecessary tension on skimmer.

IN GROUND POOL WINTERIZING INSTRUCTIONS

• Thoroughly clean all debris from pool, water line, walls and floors; vacuum pool-removing all leaves and debris.
• Super chlorinate pool water with 1lb. per 10,000 gallons of Super Shock, add 1 qt. per 10,000 gallons of algaecide.  Sustain customers will need 1 qt. per 20,000 gallons of Sustain Winter Shield. 
• Remove ladders and rails.  We recommend leaving the diving board on stand and covering it.
• If light is less than 2’ below water level, remove underwater light from niche; lower gently into pool keeping lens face down, OR bring light to surface and store in protective carton or bag.  It is not necessary to disconnect wiring on light.  CAUTION! Never turn light on when it is out of water.  NOTE: Fiber-optic lights, Hydrel lights, and all newer lights mounted 2’ below water level may be left in place for the winter.
• SAND OR DE FILTER:  Place filter on backwash, backwash until water is clear.  Place filter on Rinse, and rinse filter for 5 seconds.  Then place valve on winter.  Drain out filter by removing drain plug and allowing water to drain out. 
• CARTRIDGE FILTER:  Release air valve on top of filter.  Take out drain plug on bottom of filter and allow water to drain out of filter.  While filter is draining, unscrew the nuts all the way around the filter and lift cover off.  Take cartridges out and clean thoroughly.  Elements may be placed back into filter or stored in a clean, dry place for the winter.
• NOTE: All heat pumps and gas heaters must be drained out and blown out with air to rid system of water. We recommend a mice preventative such as Mouse Busters be installed in every heater to prevent mice damage.
• Remove skimmer baskets and weir (flapper door) from each skimmer and insert gizzmos.
• Remove all three pieces of eyeball and Polaris wall fitting and thread in winter plugs.  If plug does not thread in properly you are probably missing a piece to the eyeball fitting that often gets stuck in the wall of the pool.  A removal tool is available at the store.
• Store all cleaning equipment and accessories in a safe, dry place to prevent vandalism and to prolong their life.
• Unroll cover down length of pool.  Adjust so it is even all around, leaving some slack so it not taut.  Fill water tubes halfway. NOTE: It is not recommended to over fill water tubes as it may cause them to split when frozen.  No other form of anchoring is necessary or recommended. 
• Customers with safety covers:  Anchors should be turned up with the Allen tool; the cover can then be unrolled and placed on the pool.  Starting at each corner, using the installation rod, the springs should be attached to the anchors.  The springs should be at least 75% for a taut cover.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Do not drain water from your pool during the winter!  It is the water at proper level that supports the cover.  Accumulated water on top of cover must be pumped off periodically in fall and spring.  Water then must be replenished under the cover with a hose to prevent the cover from slipping into the pool.

These recommendations follow established procedure.  However, Snyder Swimming Pools, Inc, cannot assume any responsibility for them because individual situations are beyond our control.