Pool Closing time... MWCP!

Pool Closings

It's that time of year again, when we all start thinking about pool closings. One question you might ask yourself is do I need to close my pool or spa down? This is answered by another question: are you planning on heating your pool or spa for the the season? If you are planning on heating your pool and or spa then, no, you don't need a closing. If your not, then you do need a closing.

What is involved in a pool closing? 

There are a lot of steps involved with a pool closing. First you need to drain to pool down past the lowest plumbing line in the pool, usually the return lines.

Then you need to blow the lines out with an air blower, a shopvac will not work don't try it. 

After lines are blown out, antifreeze will need blown through all of the lines. 

Then all lines will need to be plugged, and all equipment needs to have all plugs removed. 

You may be asking how do you winterize the main drain lines? You just blow air through the line, and then air lock it by closing the valve while the air is still on. Don't worry, there is enough water in the bottom of the pool to keep it from freezing. Chemicals will be placed in remaining water to help make it easier to open in the spring time. 

If you have a spa all these steps will need to be done on it as well. One thing that you have to remember is that all lines must have all water removed from them or there can be a possible freeze break. Also one good rule of thumb is blow antifreeze in the lines and when you see a faint hint of it coming out you have enough in the lines. This is also good if you do not know how the plumbing was run. 

Finally, you want to install the cover on the pool and spa. And remember to set up the cover pump if applicable.

Pool closing can be a overwhelming task and is usually best left to a pool professional. It can also take specialized equipment to winterize your pool. Also remember that most of the pool equipment have plugs in them. Heaters like to have hidden ones, so pay close attention to them. And if you don't close your pool properly, you may damage your pool. This can be a very expensive repair for you if a line breaks. Ask a pool professional to close your pool.

Midwest Custom Pools is not responsible if you close you pool on your own! This is simply information on what to expect your pool professional to do during the close.

Midwest Custom Pools: Pool Filters

Pool Filters

There are three different types of pool filters out there. The three main types are sand filters, D.E. filters (Diatomaceous Earth), and cartridge filters. All three have their pros and cons, and we will discuss these things to make sure you are well informed about all the choices. You will find that the bigger the filter the better, but there will be additional cost the bigger you go.

First, D.E. filters: D.E. filters can and will clean your pool the best out of all the filters available on the market (although cartridge filters are catching up with them). They are rarely used today because of the very high maintenance involved with them. You have big grids inside the filter that have to be taken out and washed. D.E. is white and very messy as well. It also gets caked on the side of the grids and is very hard to get off. You have to recharge the filter with D.E. every time you backwash through the skimmer. Speaking of backwashing: this, I feel, is the downfall of both D.E. and sand filters. When you backwash, you loose both your pool water and pool chemicals. This would not be my choice of filter because of the high maintenance involved.

Next on our filter list is sand filters. Sand filters are great for us service guys because they are very easy to clean, and the sand hardly ever needs to be changed. They are also easy for the homeowner to operate as well. Now to the cons of a sand filter, they waste water and chemicals because they have to be backwashed. They also are the worst out of the three filters as far as cleaning goes. They are also the biggest type of filter and take up a lot of room. I would take this filter over a D.E. filter as they are very easy to operate and pretty low maintenance, lower then the other two.

Last on the list is the cartridge filter.  In my opinion, the best choice around. The good thing about them is they are small but have a large cleaning area.  They usually need to be cleaned once a year, depending on how much stuff accumulates in the pool. They clean almost as good as a D.E. filter, and when they need to be cleaned they are very easy. They also don't have to be backwashed, so you are not throwing money down the drain. And they have a small footprint on the equipment pad. Now to the bad, they do have to have to be replaced for time to time, but this is a very easy process. 

The good news is that all of the three filter options are about the same price. So price should not be a factor when choosing your filter!

I hope you can use this to select the best filter for you. Remember the bigger the filter the better. It also cuts down on how often you have to clean it. D.E. will clean the water the best but is a maintenance nightmare. Sand filters are very easy to clean and operate. Cartridge filters are the best of both worlds and they don't have to be backwashed, so you are not wasting money. 

Visit our website for more information! Or give me a call: Bryan Handy, 785- 423-5868

Our first Pool Blog!!

[As a preface, this was written by our pool guru Bryan Handy. Have questions on your pool, want a pool? Give him a call: 785.423.5868}

Why salt?
I get asked this question a lot: Is a salt pool better than a chlorine pool?  Well, let's try and answer that question.

Chlorine comes from one of the most abundant sources in the world, salt or sodium chloride. But we all know that chlorine is not good for us. The Germans even used it as a weapon in World War I. Chlorine is one of the most produced chemicals in the world and can be found almost everywhere. It's found all around your pool too, not only used as a disinfectant for your pool but also found in your pool plumbing PVC (poly vinyl chloride). [**Also, you never want to mix chlorine and pool acid (muriatic acid) as it makes a very dangerous gas.]  With that being said, chlorine does a very good job. But if I had a choice between a chemical that can be potentially dangerous and one that has no danger at all, I know which one I would choose for my pool. It would be salt.

Now, you ask, how does a salt system work?  It takes sodium chloride (salt), and electrically modifies it to a chlorine gas.  Is it just producing chlorine anyway? Yes, but in a more controlled environment and there is no more handling chlorine. Also, it is produced in a smaller quantity. So the exposure to the chlorine is much less and more to the saltwater, which is better for your body and clothes. Yes, chlorine is bleach and will fade your swim suit. You will also find that your chemical cost will go down as salt only leaves the water due to splash out, backwash and draining/ filling your pool. A bag of salt cost anywhere from $6.00 to $8.00 dollars, where a bucket of chlorine tabs can cost anywhere from $22.00 to $150.00 dollars. So, even if you have to add 2 bags of salt through the year, you're still ahead on cost. I would rather have a bag of salt sitting in my garage or equipment room then a bucket of chlorine.


Salt systems are also very easy to install on any system. They even have them now that require a small hole drilled in a pipe and a outlet to plug it into. So installation is very simple but I suggest having a pool professional do the install for you.
It will take a lot of salt when you install a salt system. The salt in the water will taste about the same as a tear drop, so it is not very strong. There is a myth about salt that it's maintenance free; this is not the case. Nothing about a pool is maintenance free so don't get caught up in that myth! Salt systems do cut down on the maintenance but you still have to check your chemicals every week. You also have to clean the salt cell once a month or when the salt system asks for it to be done.  This is not a feature on all salt systems. Ask your pool professional for assistance on this if you have never attempted it. It will involve taking the salt system off and using a muriatic acid solution to clean the blades. They get a build up on them,  even the so called "self cleaning"  ones still need to be cleaned, but not as often.

So to wrap up- why salt? Well, it is healthier for you and your body, you don't have to
handle a potentially dangerous chemical, and you will save money in the long run. As an added benefit, your water will have a different sparkle to it. A salt system is a great addition to any pool above ground and in ground.