If one lives and works in an area that experiences the severity of winter, chances are they already know the steps they need to take to prepare themselves for the season. Coats and scarves come out of the closets, and heavier blankets are placed on bedsides. Thermostats are turned on and tuned to keep the chill out of the air. Recipes for hot and hearty meals begin to come into rotation. Just as one would organize their home in preparation for the season, pool pros need to service and winterize pool heaters for the cold weather.
The same warm water that provides comfort during the summer can quickly turn into the enemy when temperatures drop. Electric, gas, and electronic components can easily get damaged or destroyed if they are not properly prepared as freezing water will expand and damage heat exchangers, piping, and internal controls. Therefore, it is important pool heaters are serviced and maintained so when it comes time to open again in the spring, the systems are operational and running.
Post-season system evaluation
The winterization process can be likened to a post-season system evaluation. That said, a technician working on a heating system for the first time at a specific location may not be familiar with the previous maintenance team’s techniques. As the startup phase is critical, and most companies are busy during the summer months, certain inspections may often go unnoticed. This can cause technicians to run into issues during the winterization process, as key items on the checklist may have been overlooked initially. Therefore, to prevent such problems, service techs must keep a few things in mind.
- Consult equipment manual
The first place a technician should start when developing a winterization plan for their client’s aquatic heating systems is to consult the manufacturer’s manual and documentation. Most companies lay out specific guidelines on how the equipment should be winterized. If multiple brands are being used, they may require different techniques or steps to winterize that specific product. It is also useful to have a notebook or digital document where one can record the various makes and models of the equipment being used for quick reference.
- Make an assessment
It is also a good idea to assess how many heating units need to be winterized, and if there is proper storage space for all the components to be put away safely. This is especially important as it may be difficult to recommission heaters in the spring if the equipment is nowhere to be found. Also, providing the client with a record of what parts were removed for winterization and where they are located provides peace of mind for both parties. This preparation is key to getting the actual work started.
