Electrical
    Pool pumps, blowers, and heaters require power. Power should always be disconnected from the system at the breaker box when opening or closing a pool.

Control Panel & Remote Controls
    The control panel provides power to the pumps and heater. The remote control panel can be use to schedule pumps and set/monitor the temperature. The remote control normally provides a freeze setting to prevent icing.

  

Pool Drain
    The grate at the bottom of the pool contains a hydrostatic opening an the water sources for the pump (in this case one for the main pump and one for a fountain pump). The hydrostatic plug will pop out if the water pressure in the area surrounding the pool is too high. This prevents damage to the pool walls and prevents the pool from popping out of the ground. The hydrostatic plug needs to be removed if you drain the pool and do not refill the pool immediately. If the hydrostatic plug pops out will the pool is filled, the pool will slowly drain.
    Accessing the hydrostatic PCV pipe and plug requires removing the grate. The plastic grate can be removed by using a hook (or pliers) to gently pulling upward along the sides.

Jets
    Multiple jets are located in the walls of the pool. Each jet contains a nozzle and an outer ring. The outer ring screws into the PVC pipe in the pool wall. The rings contain a notch that can be used to remove the jets. To remove the jet, gently tap the notch in the counter clockwise position (rings & jets may be replaced if damaged) using a flathead screwdriver if needed. When the pool is drained for the winter, the jets should be replaced with screw caps (shown on right) after the pool is drained.
    To provide a freeze crush area, 2 feet of foam rope should be added to the drain basket pipe. Also add foam rope to any other PVC piping where water may collect during the winter. Tie a knot at the end of the foam rope to make removal easier in the spring.

  

Heater
    The gas heater required 60 hertz to trigger the electronic starter, so the heater must be plugged into the control panel outlet. The side of the heater contains a drain valve below the lower PCV pipe. This value must be opened when the pool is drained for the winter. The gas line feeding the heater can be turned on/off at the heater or the house source.

Pumps
    Each pump contains a drain basket that must be opened and cleaned regularly. When running the pool, all valves should be in the open position (as shown). When a pool is drained for the winter, the values should all be closed (turned 90 degrees counterclockwise). Each pump also contains 2 drain values (marked with red dot in picture). In the winter, these drain valves should be removed and the basket covers opened (but covered).

Filter
    The filter must be cleaned regularly by unscrewing the latch band (be careful with the rubber gasket between the filter halves. The filter drain plug should be removed when the pool is drained for the winter.

Blower
    The blower is used to add air bubbles into the jets. The blower pvc line mergers into the main pvc line just prior to the main pool pump. The blower should not require any maintenance.

General Maintenance
    General Maintenance includes: (1) skimming water with a pool net, (2)emptying drain basket, (3) emptying pump baskets, and (4) cleaning the filter. Whenever performing maintenance, turn off the circuit breakers at the control panel. Also turn the shutoff valves to the closed position. Cleaning the filter is as simple as spraying with a hose. Adding a little silicone to the rubber gaskets may prolong the life of the filter and pump basket gaskets.

Tips for Winterizing Equipment
    Blowing out the pvc lines using a common tire pump set to no more than 40 psi is an option. As an alternative, I like to buy a couple gallons of non-toxic anti-freeze instead. I pour some anti-freeze in all the area that are not sealed for winter. These items include:

1. Filter Canister
2. Filter Pump Basket Areas (Covers just loosely attached)
3. Fountain Area
4. Drain Area (at least 1 gallon)

   Removing the plastic pool drain can be difficult. I found that a Scissor Tongs are the perfect size to fit through the grate slots. After the tong ends are inserted, I turn the scissors 90 degrees and pull up to remove the grate.

   Here are few pool winterization pictures associated with siphoning the drain area and installing a meyco pool cover.

For the outdoor gunite pool with epoxy pebble finish, very gentle power-washing or scrubbing renews the finish.

Maintaining the indoor stainless steel/tile spa, is easier, but requires a little more care to prevent waterline deposits and rust stains.

1. I have found that Flitz polish works wonders for removing rust and calcium deposits above and below the waterline(pool drained) on stainless steel or tile surfaces.
2. CLR is useful for cleaning large rust and calcium areas (wear proper gloves)
3. Products like the Stain Eraser work well for erasing small rust and calcium stains.
4. Applying a good car wax to the entire stainless steel and tile surface once a year helps reduce stains.