Do you already know how to close your fibreglass pool for the winter? It's common for fibreglass pool owners to close their pool down for the winter. They even make sure to prepare their fibreglass pool for the winter.
When the summer is over, and a chill of winter has set in, the last thing people want to do is go out for a swim. However, closing your swimming pool down isn't as easy as you think. You'll need to know what pool antifreeze actually is, as well as how it can affect your pool equipment.
You’ll need to know what pool antifreeze actually is, as well as how it can affect your pool equipment.
What Is Swimming Pool Antifreeze?
Essentially, pool antifreeze is a solvent that is fluid, which is used to stop water inside the plumbing of the pool, from freezing. It also prevents expansion, which could damage the pipes during winter.
With the help of pool antifreeze, you’ll be able to protect the pipes of your fibreglass pool from low temperatures. This is a crucial part of maintaining your pool over the winter.
In a majority of the cases, you don’t need to use pool antifreeze. You can instead just blow the pipes clear of any water that might be inside. Antifreeze can be seen as extra protection, for those who aren’t sure about how clean their pool pipes are.
Should You Use Antifreeze In Your Fibreglass Pool?
Swimming pool antifreeze is not toxic and it won’t harm swimmers in any way. However, you should still avoid spilling any into the water in your fibreglass pool. This antifreeze is meant only for the pipes of the pool.
What Are The Ingredients Of Swimming Pool Antifreeze?
Commonly, swimming pool antifreeze contains a substance called propylene glycol. This substance can absorb water and also prevents drain leakages from happening. The pipes of the swimming pool don’t free or crack when you use antifreeze. This saves you from paying for expensive repair work after every winter.
How Do You Use Swimming Pool Antifreeze?
Use the following steps to add pool antifreeze to your fibreglass pool:
The Benefits Of Using Swimming Pool Antifreeze
When you use pool antifreeze, you can ensure that your pipes are free of damage when you close your pool for the winter. This helps you deal with one of the main worries that swimming pool owners face, during the winter months.
Note that the antifreeze will also react badly to either rubber or metal. So avoid letting the antifreeze get in touch with any pool equipment that it can damage.
Where Should You Put The Antifreeze?
You’ll be pouring the antifreeze into the pool pipe that is connected to the pool’s skimmer basket.
How Much Antifreeze Is Needed?
If your swimming pool pipes are full of water, then use about a gallon of antifreeze. This should end up covering around 10 feet of a pipeline that is 1.5 inches.
Removing The Skimmer Basket And Plug
You will need to remove the skimmer basket as well as the plug. This way, you can reveal the pipe that you’ll be putting the antifreeze into.
Lowering Water Till It's Beneath The Skimmer
The water level of your fibreglass pool should be below the basket line of the skimmer before you add any antifreeze. This will help prevent water from reaching the pipe that has been treated.
Pouring Antifreeze Into The Skimmer And Return Lines
Once the water in your pool has reached the correct level, add antifreeze which has been diluted, to the skimmer. This will help in protecting the skimmer line.
You can also think about adding extra protection to the cleaner line, the main pipeline, or the return line. The best technique in order to do this would be by connecting a hose to a valve or a pump. Then, pour the antifreeze in carefully using a funnel.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pool Antifreeze
Do you have more questions regarding how you can use antifreeze? We’ve got you covered. These are the most common questions that people ask about antifreeze.
Can Regular Antifreeze Be Used For The Pool Lines?
When you’re buying pool antifreeze, ensure that you read the label. This is as antifreeze designed for swimming pools has propylene glycol. You should never use automotive antifreeze for your pool pipes.
This is because automotive antifreeze contains ethylene glycol. This is toxic and contaminates the water in your pool. Should ethylene glycol be mixed with the chlorine and other closing chemicals used in your pool, the resulting mixture will be harmful.
How long does a fibreglass pool last? See the details here!
Can Antifreeze Be Poured Into The Pool Water Directly?
You should not pour antifreeze into your pool water directly. The water as well as the chemicals could end up splashing you this way.
Can You Use Pool Antifreeze In All Your Pools?
You can use pool antifreeze to clean pipes that belong to any swimming pool. You’ll find a chart that comes with the bottle of antifreeze, that recommends how much you should use. Follow these instructions when adding antifreeze to your pipes.
Can You Swim In The Pool If You Add Antifreeze To The Pipes?
Even if you spill some pool antifreeze into your pool water, there’s nothing to worry about. Pool antifreeze isn’t toxic, and it doesn’t affect your water chemistry. Swimmers will be able to use the pool water safely.
Should You Dilute The Swimming Pool Antifreeze?
Manufacturers recommend that you don’t dilute the antifreeze. This is because it will reduce the effectiveness of the solution.
Conclusion
Swimming pool antifreeze can help you protect the pipes in your swimming pool, during the winter months. Remember to use pool antifreeze and not antifreeze meant for other equipment, in your pool. This guide can help you learn what pool antifreeze is, as well as how you can use it.
