1. Winterizing my Zodiac Original pool
To prevent algae/bacteria growth, stains on the lining, lime deposits and pipe damage (e.g. due to freezing).
When the water temperature of your Zodiac Original pool is close to 15°C, which, depending on the region, is between mid-October and mid-November (or much earlier in the case of a second home pool).
Here are the steps to be followed to properly winterize your Zodiac Original once the swimming season is over:
Preliminary step for Hippo pools onlyRemove approximately 5 cm of water from the plunger(s) so that the check valve(s) does not or do not freeze. To do this, unscrew the drain plug so that the 5 cm can escape and then reinflate the liner with air.
- Check the pH and adjust it if necessary. Perform shock chlorination after checking the chlorine content of the pool.
- Clean the bottom, sides and water line of the pool.
- Pour a winterizing product and stir it with the filter. To obtain this winterizing product and to know the information on its dosage, ask our distributors. The winterizing product protects the water during the winter: it is not an antifreeze.
- Remove the floating skimmer, clean it with fresh water, dry it and store it in a dry place protected from freezing.
- Fill the pool to the brim (to the limit of overflow).
- Imperative: cover the pool with a winter shift or cover. For its installation, please refer to the leaflet of this equipment and to the dedicated section below.
- Put the filtration system and the hoses back on after washing them with fresh water and drying them, then store them in a dry place protected from frost. Concerning the precautions to take for the wintering of the filtration, refer to the leaflet of the filtration.
Do not forget the swimming pool accessories (ladder, broom...).
Did you know that?
- To prolong the action of wintering, carry out a preventive shock chlorination by planning an identical contribution in the first days of spring.
- In case of scaling water, double the indicated shock chlorination dose.
- The Zodiac Original pool is frost resistant.
- Unless you are storing your pool in the fall, a Zodiac Original pool should never be left empty, without water, after it has been assembled. This is a warranty exclusion.
Winter shift/cover
After the winter, its use allows to find the water of the basin ready again for a new season of bathing with the minimum of treatment.
It protects the water from external dirt (leaves, insects, etc.).
Being opaque, it also avoids photosynthesis linked to daylight and thus prevents the formation of algae.
As it is resistant and waterproof and is also UV-resistant, it is ideal for pools sheltered from the wind. However, it is not a safety device.
Regularly remove leaves and rainwater from the winted shift/cover to increase its life span. However, always leave a little water on the cover, it will keep it in contact with the water and prevent it from being blown away.
Each pool model has its own model of winter shift/cover. Do not hesitate to contact one of our distributors who will advise you on the installation of the cover.
Precautions:
Before installing the winter shift/cover (only in good weather, without strong winds), make sure that:
- the pool has been cleaned,
- the accessories have been removed (ladder, skimmer),
- the water has been treated with suitable winterizing products,
- the water level in the pool is at its maximum (at the edge).
2. Storage of my Zodiac Original pool
This operation should be carried out in good weather.
Follow the steps to properly store your Zodiac Original pool:
Before disassembling your Zodiac Original, the water in your pool must be clear, crystal-clear and bacteriologically pure. Impurities could stagnate all winter long in the liner and damage it. To do this, check your water and make sure the pH and chlorine levels are right.
Clean the bottom, sides and water line of the pool.
Drain your pool (use the pool's filtration pump; beware of defrosting)
Draining the pool and sock is essential to prevent the growth of mold and algae during the winter.
- Close the discharge valve, remove the attached pipe and direct the pipe to an outlet
- Remove the floating skimmer and plunge the hose that connected it to the filtration system into the bottom of the pool, holding it with a ballast (no sharp objects or objects that could damage the material)
- Set the 6-way valve on your filter to the "drain" position and turn on the filtration: the pool starts to empty.
- The pool tends to sag a little (especially when the water in the liner starts to drain), so we recommend that you connect and start the inflator in parallel so that the pool retains its shape.
- Once the vast majority of the water in the pool and the liner is drained, turn off the filtration and the inflator.
- Install the plugs in both discharges and then restart the inflator.
- Once the pool is in good shape, raise the pool on the side opposite to the discharge valve and brace the pool so that it is held to drain (with a plastic crate, for example). Then connect a hose between the discharge valve and an outlet and open the discharge valve so that the water drains out.
- With the help of the pump, remove the water in the bladders by passing the suction hose through one of the previously opened outlets (obturator removed), leave the inflator running to facilitate the task. Once the water has been drained, replace the obturator.
- To remove the remaining water from the pool, use a sponge and/or a water vacuum cleaner. If the weather allows to, leave your pool inflated for a few hours so that it can dry out as long as possible in the open air. The drier the pool is, the less chance there is of algae growth.
- Deflate the pelvis slightly and when it is a little "soft", remove the belt loops, then the belt. Clean and store the belt.
- Remove the plugs and let the bladder deflate.
- Remove the discharge valve.
- Replace the inflation cap.
- Fold the bedpan (do not talc or treat the fabric). Make sure the bedpan is clean and dry. At each folding stage, take the opportunity to clean the underside of the bedpan.
3. Restart my Zodiac Original pool in the spring
In the case of a total reassembly of the basin :
- Follow the instructions from the beginning of the Zodiac Original Installation and Operating Instructions, Installation section.
In the case of a winterized basin and therefore already filled :
- Remove the winter shift/cover and clean it with fresh water.
- Use a surface dip net to remove any debris, leaves, etc.
- Reinstall the filtration and the floating skimmer.
- Renew one third of your water to avoid over-stabilization due to the use of chlorine
- Check the water pH.
- Carry out a chlorine shock treatment of the water.
- Run your filtration continuously for 24 hours.
- Test your water (see our Water Treatment Guide).
- Vacuum all debris from the bottom of the pool with a pool vacuum or an automatic pool cleaner.