Suggestions on how to clean Pool before packing it up?

[aylad]

bumping this post up to see if anybody has suggestions...

[Charlie_R]

No suggestions, but I do thank you for your post, as I am also in that situation.

What I am probably going to do, barring more experienced suggestions is drain until 4 - 6 inches remain then add 1/2 gal bleach + 1/2 gal algaecide then thoroughly scrub the entire pool, inside and out. The instructions that came with the liner say that it needs to be well dried before folding for storage, so that is also in the plan.

[7sanders]

We typically drain all but a few inches, add a little dish soap, toss in the kids and have them scrub all surfaces, drain and rinse a few times. Then let dry for a day or two in the sun before packing away.

Based on my, and my friends' past experience, you need to make sure the pool is 100% dry before packing it up. The slightest bit of moisture and you could have mold/mildew growing on it inside that tub and may open it up in the spring to find the mildew has eaten through some of the vinyl (My friend's Intex the mildew had completely eaten through the air ring, all the way around the pool!) We have had mice or crickets eat small holes through the vinyl liner and pool inflatables that were in boxes or plastic tubs in our storage shed and garage in the past. (Many of the plastic tubs will still have "air holes" under the handles and I'm guessing that is how those crickets got into the tubs)

[Charlie_R]

Many of the plastic tubs will still have "air holes" under the handles and I'm guessing that is how those crickets got into the tubs

So duct tape around the lid it is.

Your dish soap routine -- is that with or without mustard algae remnants? That is why I would be using the bleach, as most algae can survive being dehydrated for years, and as soon as conditions permit, come back in a full bloom. I'd rather avoid that.

[7sanders]

without mustard algae as far as I know. One year it was some REALLY green/slimy water in a smaller pool -1500 gal (when it's 117 outside, the pool wouldn't get under 105, and wouldn't keep chlorine no matter how many bottles I added!) and the next year it was fine and had no algae blooms (but again, probably not mustard algae)

[RedwingT]

I haven't drained as of yet. Have a terrible bout of Tendinitis in my hands that flared while in the pool about a week n half ago and still am unable to do what needs to be done to clean while draining and after. Which works out well since my son is at his dads for the holiday wknd and I got to enjoy the pool with a few of my friends for a change.

Looks like we are going to have some high 80's this wk and then down hill from there. So I will enjoy the water (just got out) until I can physically drain, clean, dry and dismantle. I am finally able to bend my thumbs without to much resistance or pain. Taking over a week off from the computer I'm sure helped tremendously! So glad I got that solar cover and didn't wait until next season!

[RedwingT]

I wanted to thank everyone here for their suggestions.

Charlie, You have helped me so much during this short season with my pool difficulties from the start of my journey! Without your input I seriously would have been at a loss! Sorry if I kinda clung on to you but our situations were so similar, and having the same pool it was hard not to.

\-/ Here's to next year and getting things right from the start! Cheers

(That up there, my lame try at a beverage) lol