We strongly recommend pool ladders and steps be removed from the swimming pool during the off season (winter months). For safety reasons this also applies to pools located in warmer climates. Unsupervised access to the pool must not be allowed. Carefully lift the pool ladder or step over the pool wall.
You can store them on your deck but I would cover them with a tarp to protect them from the sun and such. I would lay them as flat as you can to avoid warping.
3. Did you store the ladders and handrails separately from the chlorine? Ladders and handrails need to be kept away from freezing water too.
Pools very rarely need to be drained completely. If you have a vinyl-lined above-ground pool, leaving it full for the winter will protect the vinyl liner from shrinkage and other damage. Since these pools are above ground level, keeping them full ensures that the wind will not damage the walls, liner, or frame.
In warmer climates, Intex advises to keep your pool up, if you prefer. However, you must winterize the pool when keeping it full throughout the winter. If your area maintains tropical climates all year long, you may not need to winterize your pool at all, especially if you use your pool on a regular basis.
Most experts recommend waiting at least until temperature drops below 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius) to winterize your pool. However, if you can wait longer until your pool is below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius), you will have a much lower risk of problems occurring.
The current NEC code shows that SĀFTRON pool rails do not need to be grounded or bonded as the rails are sealed at the time of manufacturing. We have also received a letter form NFPA (NEC Codes) stating that they feel SĀFTRON pool rails are not required to be grounded or bonded.
Unstick the ladder with a car jack, if it is really immobile. Set the jack under the curved section of the rail and slowly apply steady and controlled upward force--don't go too quickly or push too fast because it doesn't take enormous pressure to bend the rail and deform it too much to use further.
Different from closing a pool, winterizing your pool is the finale to the pool season. This means that your pool will not be used for several months, equipment is turned off, accessories are removed and the water is removed from lines and vessels.
When the weather is chilly, and rain and snow may come as a surprise, apartments and hotels may close their pools. If you don't plan on using your pool during the winter, winterizing your pool should be considered. If you are wondering, do I have to winterize my pool in California, it's recommended that you do.
Super chlorinate with liquid chlorine or other chlorine source and add winterizing chemical kit to pool; allow filter to circulate to evenly distribute chemicals. (Use chemicals as labels indicate.) Use 1 gallon of liquid chlorine per 10,000 gallons of pool water.
Close the pool for winter – but don't drain it.
In winter, the water in your pool is still your friend. Especially when properly winterized, it helps to protect the pool liner, keep it clean and prevent unnecessary damage from debris, harsh weather and other factors.
Wipe down the ladder with a dry rag to make sure it is completely dry. Combine a cup of baking soda and a cup of the powdered cleanser in a bucket. Add enough water to make a thick, spreadable paste. Most pool ladders are made of stainless steel, which is highly resistant to rust.
To remove the current railing, loosen the bolt under the escutcheon plate. Once the bolts have been loosened, lift the rail out of the anchor socket. Next, insert the Artisan or Meridian series rail and tighten the bolt. Remember to thread the escutcheon plate onto the rail before inserting into the anchor.
If you do not bond your pool equipment there is the risk that the equipment itself will become the anode in a galvanic couple with other metal components in or around your pool. If this happens, the anode metals will deteriorate at an advanced rate, a phenomenon called galvanic corrosion.
Look for an exposed copper wire attached to the motor and pumps, going into the ground. It should connect in a similar way as in the image to the left. If you live in a municipality, you can also contact the building and inspection department to see if your pool had a code inspection during its construction.
To check if your pool is properly grounded, there should be an equipment-grounding conductor installed with the feeder conductors. It should be located between the grounding terminal of the pool equipment panel board and the grounding terminal of the applicable service equipment.
Your Pool Could Crack
Surface cracks are very common in pools that don't get winterized. Harsh conditions can lead to cracks as well as any water that is left inside the pool. That water will likely freeze and could lead to surface cracks.
Definitely close your pool before the temperatures fall under 30°F (-1°C) at night. As long as the pump is running, the water is moving, so it won't freeze. But if you lose electricity during a storm and it gets down below freezing, the water will freeze in the pump and filter.
A common question asked is, “Can above ground pools stay up year round?” And although the easy answer is that “Yes, they can,” whether you want to leave them up year-round really depends on the type of pool you have. Dismantling some above ground pools for the winter may be more hassle than it's worth.
If possible, store at room temperature, and keep it away from any nesting mice, birds, or other critters that may chew holes through the vinyl. A large, clean, new trash can placed in the basement or garage may be an ideal location for winter storage.