Pool Winterizing Question

Oct 24, 2003 4 Replies

We just bought a house with an above ground pool that is 18 feet across and



48 inches high. It has not been opened this year and with winter almost upon us I plan on leaving it closed until summer. Does anyone have any idea how many gallons this may hold. It has been drained a bit for the winter but I would like to shock it/treat it to get through the winter again. Any suggestions as to what I should put in? Bleach, shock, etc? I know very little about pools so I appreciate your help.


--Don--


Your best bet is to take the pool's measurements, and a sample of the water 18" below the surface to a pool chemical store, and let them test the water and guide you through the rest of the process.

You didn't mentiona leingth, so I'm assuming the pool is round. If it is, then it holds about 1,014 gallons (Pi x r^2 x h) = 3.1416 x 81 x 4.

I think you just calculated cubic feet, not gallons. There are about 8 gallons per cubic foot, so you have an 8000 gallon pool.

-- Mark Kent, WA

If your pool is round or oval, multiply the diameter (one direction) times the diameter (other direction) times average depth and then multiply by 5.9 to get the total water volume in gallons.

18*18*4*5.9 = 7646.4 If there is a pool store in your area, take a sample of the water in for testing. If no local source is available, you should test the levels yourself to ensure that you are not already "growing" anything. My local pool store performs this test at no charge. Unfortunately, since they are the only store in the area, their prices on many things are outrageous so I use waterwarehouse for many of my supplies. At
formatting link
there is a winterizing kit for up to 7500 gal. for $17.99. Each kit contains a winter control algae fighter, stain removing metal out, slow dissolving winter oxidizing tablets, specially formulated non-chlorinated shock, and complete winterizing instruction guide. Winterizing tips available at
formatting link
Windy 48 inches high. It has not been opened this year and with winter almost upon us I plan on leaving it closed until summer. Does anyone have any idea how many gallons this may hold. It has been drained a bit for the winter but I would like to shock it/treat it to get through the winter again. Any suggestions as to what I should put in? Bleach, shock, etc? I know very little about pools so I appreciate your help.

--Don--

Join the Discussion

Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.

Didn't find your answer?

Ask the community — no account required