Below, we\u2019ll explain what winterizing your above ground swimming pool filter involves, why you need to winterize your pool and when, and how to properly winterize your above ground pool with a sand filter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Does Winterizing A Pool Filter Mean?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nUnless you live in the tropics and can swim all year round, you\u2019ll probably want to shut your pool down for the winter to save on your monthly energy bill without running your pump for eight hours or so a day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, if you live in a place where the temperatures plummet to freezing in winter, not shutting your pool down or properly winterizing your pumps can be pretty costly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Part of properly closing your pool involves closing your pool filtration system, which means disconnecting it from its power source, cleaning it out, uninstalling it, and storing it away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why It\u2019s Important To Winterize Your Pool’s Sand Filter<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIt\u2019s only important to winterize your swimming pool sand filter<\/a> if you\u2019re not going to be running your system in the winter. If this is the case, then you should winterize your pool for the following reasons:<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/allaboutpools.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Pool-Filter.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nCracking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If you live in a place that experiences freezing winter temperatures, not closing your pool filtration system properly could lead to cracked pipes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should make sure to not just close down your filter for the season, but also blow out your pool lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bad Bacteria<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
While closing down your pool filter by unplugging it is a simple solution, all the contaminants that your filter picks up will be left to fester in perfection conditions for months. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
After all, your water passes through your filter before returning to the pool. You\u2019re not going to want a bunch of gunk in your filter tank come spring. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Extreme Exposure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Even if your filter doesn\u2019t crack, leaving it outdoors for the winter could cause avoidable wear and tear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We probably don\u2019t need to tell you that filter\ufeff\u7280\u5229\u58eb<\/a>\n<\/span>s don\u2019t come cheap, so taking care of your filter by winterizing it properly and storing it in a safe, dry place will avoid unnecessary expense. <\/p>\n\n\n\nWhen to Winterize Above Ground Pool Filters<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhen it comes to a good swimming pool closing routine, a few steps that make use of a working filter have got to be checked off the list before you fully shut it down for winter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s important to winterize your filter at the proper time, after you\u2019ve brushed your pool, vacuumed your pool, and achieved the perfect chemical balance, including shocking your pool with a reliable pool shock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your pool will also need to be drained, if needed. If you\u2019ve done all of the above then you\u2019re ready to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How To Winterize A Pool Sand Filter<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nSand filters are popular for both inground and above ground pools<\/a> for a reason. They\u2019re efficient and they get the job done! <\/p>\n\n\n\nThey\u2019re designed to catch particles that are in the 20-100 micron range, but you can switch the sand media to glass that can trap even smaller particles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The more you use a sand filter, the more jagged and trapping the media gets until the tank is so pressured that you need to switch it out entirely, and this usually only happens every few years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course, switching your sand every time you shut your pool down is a waste of time and money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The goal, then, is to keep your filter pump, your hoses, and your filter media sorted and safe for winter, ready to go for spring. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Winterizing a sand filter will make you very familiar with your top mount valve, which is located at the top of your sand filter pump.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Begin With A Backwash<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Your sand filter will catch a lot of gunk and you\u2019re not going to want it sitting, festering and potentially growing during the winter, especially since your ideal storage place is a safe, indoor place that could be just the right temperature for bacteria to thrive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To keep your sand filter fresh, give it a backwash. You\u2019ll know you\u2019re done when the water runs clear from the nozzle. Then you can power down and move on to the next step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Give It A Good Rinse<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
After you\u2019ve finished with your backwash, you can now move the valve to the \u2018rinse\u2019 position and let it run for thirty seconds. This is another measure to ensure bacteria don\u2019t make themselves at home on your above ground swimming pool pump<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n3. Wrench The Valve To “Winterize”<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Now that your sand or other media is as clean as it can possibly be, you can turn that valve to the \u2018winterize\u2019 setting. This will let the water drain from the valve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Disconnect The Drain Cap<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019ve now sorted out the top mount valve of your filter pump, but your filter tank is still full of water. This water isn\u2019t going to store well through the winter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
So you\u2019ll need to completely drain all the water from the tank by unscrewing and removing the drain cap at its bottom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because you won\u2019t be attaching the cap, make sure it\u2019s stored somewhere where you easily find it in the spring. You should also remove all your filter\u2019s hoses while you\u2019re at it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. Store It Away Safely Out of The Weather<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Now the tank is drained, the hoses have been removed, and the drain cap is off. So all you need to do now is properly and safely store the sand filter, pump, hoses and drain cap in a dry, safe place for the winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This can be difficult to do on your own as the sand can be heavy even when the water is drained, so ask another person to help you with this. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But once it\u2019s stored away you\u2019re all done. All that\u2019s left to do now is look forward to the spring! If you prefer to watch a video on how to properly winterize a pool sand filter for an above ground swimming pool, check out the detailed talk-through video by Swimming Pool Steve<\/a> below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s only important to winterize your swimming pool sand filter<\/a> if you\u2019re not going to be running your system in the winter. If this is the case, then you should winterize your pool for the following reasons:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you live in a place that experiences freezing winter temperatures, not closing your pool filtration system properly could lead to cracked pipes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You should make sure to not just close down your filter for the season, but also blow out your pool lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While closing down your pool filter by unplugging it is a simple solution, all the contaminants that your filter picks up will be left to fester in perfection conditions for months. <\/p>\n\n\n\n After all, your water passes through your filter before returning to the pool. You\u2019re not going to want a bunch of gunk in your filter tank come spring. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Even if your filter doesn\u2019t crack, leaving it outdoors for the winter could cause avoidable wear and tear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We probably don\u2019t need to tell you that filter\ufeff\u7280\u5229\u58eb<\/a>\n<\/span>s don\u2019t come cheap, so taking care of your filter by winterizing it properly and storing it in a safe, dry place will avoid unnecessary expense. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When it comes to a good swimming pool closing routine, a few steps that make use of a working filter have got to be checked off the list before you fully shut it down for winter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s important to winterize your filter at the proper time, after you\u2019ve brushed your pool, vacuumed your pool, and achieved the perfect chemical balance, including shocking your pool with a reliable pool shock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your pool will also need to be drained, if needed. If you\u2019ve done all of the above then you\u2019re ready to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sand filters are popular for both inground and above ground pools<\/a> for a reason. They\u2019re efficient and they get the job done! <\/p>\n\n\n\n They\u2019re designed to catch particles that are in the 20-100 micron range, but you can switch the sand media to glass that can trap even smaller particles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The more you use a sand filter, the more jagged and trapping the media gets until the tank is so pressured that you need to switch it out entirely, and this usually only happens every few years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, switching your sand every time you shut your pool down is a waste of time and money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The goal, then, is to keep your filter pump, your hoses, and your filter media sorted and safe for winter, ready to go for spring. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Winterizing a sand filter will make you very familiar with your top mount valve, which is located at the top of your sand filter pump.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your sand filter will catch a lot of gunk and you\u2019re not going to want it sitting, festering and potentially growing during the winter, especially since your ideal storage place is a safe, indoor place that could be just the right temperature for bacteria to thrive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To keep your sand filter fresh, give it a backwash. You\u2019ll know you\u2019re done when the water runs clear from the nozzle. Then you can power down and move on to the next step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After you\u2019ve finished with your backwash, you can now move the valve to the \u2018rinse\u2019 position and let it run for thirty seconds. This is another measure to ensure bacteria don\u2019t make themselves at home on your above ground swimming pool pump<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Now that your sand or other media is as clean as it can possibly be, you can turn that valve to the \u2018winterize\u2019 setting. This will let the water drain from the valve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ve now sorted out the top mount valve of your filter pump, but your filter tank is still full of water. This water isn\u2019t going to store well through the winter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So you\u2019ll need to completely drain all the water from the tank by unscrewing and removing the drain cap at its bottom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Because you won\u2019t be attaching the cap, make sure it\u2019s stored somewhere where you easily find it in the spring. You should also remove all your filter\u2019s hoses while you\u2019re at it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now the tank is drained, the hoses have been removed, and the drain cap is off. So all you need to do now is properly and safely store the sand filter, pump, hoses and drain cap in a dry, safe place for the winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This can be difficult to do on your own as the sand can be heavy even when the water is drained, so ask another person to help you with this. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But once it\u2019s stored away you\u2019re all done. All that\u2019s left to do now is look forward to the spring! If you prefer to watch a video on how to properly winterize a pool sand filter for an above ground swimming pool, check out the detailed talk-through video by Swimming Pool Steve<\/a> below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nCracking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Bad Bacteria<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Extreme Exposure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
When to Winterize Above Ground Pool Filters<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How To Winterize A Pool Sand Filter<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Begin With A Backwash<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Give It A Good Rinse<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Wrench The Valve To “Winterize”<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Disconnect The Drain Cap<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. Store It Away Safely Out of The Weather<\/h3>\n\n\n\n