Pool & Spa SenseClear water. Confident care.

Seasonal and equipment care

Use a checklist when the job is bigger than a water test.

Opening, closing, weather preparation, filters, salt cells, and spa refills all depend on the installed equipment manuals.

A clean residential pool with an integrated spa and visible circulation
Seasonal poolOpening the poolSeasonal poolClosing and winterizingPool or spaVacation preparationCold weatherFreeze preparationEquipmentFilter and circulation careEquipmentSalt-cell inspectionSpaDrain, clean, refill, restart

Seasonal pool

Opening the pool

  1. Remove and clean the cover without sending debris into the pool.
  2. Inspect water level, structure, fittings, drains, ladders, and visible equipment before startup.
  3. Reassemble plugs, valves, baskets, filter, pump, heater, and accessories exactly as their manuals direct.
  4. Restore circulation, check for leaks and normal pressure, then clean and brush.
  5. Test source/pool water, adjust in a staged order, and do not enter until clarity, sanitizer, pH, temperature, and physical conditions are acceptable.

Seasonal pool

Closing and winterizing

  1. Use the equipment and pool-builder winterization instructions for the exact climate and plumbing.
  2. Clean the pool and filter, record chemistry and clean-filter pressure, and inspect the cover and anchors.
  3. Lower water only to the approved level; draining can damage liners or structures.
  4. Protect plumbing, pumps, heaters, chlorinators, and accessories using manufacturer procedures.
  5. Secure the cover and restrict access. Check it periodically through the closed season.

Pool or spa

Vacation preparation

  1. Test and correct water early enough to retest before leaving.
  2. Clean baskets, waterline, and filter; confirm water level and circulation schedule.
  3. Follow the sanitizer and equipment manuals for unattended operation.
  4. Secure covers, gates, controls, and chemicals.
  5. Arrange a responsible visual check for extended absences or severe-weather risk.

Cold weather

Freeze preparation

  1. Follow the installed equipment's freeze-protection instructions; do not assume automation is working.
  2. Keep power and circulation available when the manual requires it.
  3. Protect exposed plumbing and maintain safe water level.
  4. Do not operate damaged, frozen, or leaking equipment.
  5. Contact a qualified service professional before thawing or restarting compromised systems.

Equipment

Filter and circulation care

  1. Record the pressure or flow immediately after a confirmed clean filter.
  2. Inspect water level, baskets, returns, and pump basket before blaming chemistry.
  3. Clean or backwash only at the manual's trigger and with the correct shutdown/depressurization procedure.
  4. Never open a pressurized filter.
  5. Record cleaning dates and replacement intervals in the Care Schedule.

Equipment

Salt-cell inspection

  1. Shut down and isolate equipment exactly as the manual specifies.
  2. Inspect for scale, debris, corrosion, damaged cables, or error codes.
  3. Clean only when needed and only with the manufacturer's method and concentration.
  4. Confirm salt with an independent test before adding more.
  5. Record cell output percentage, runtime, inspection, and cleaning.

Spa

Drain, clean, refill, restart

  1. Read the spa manual, plan lawful discharge, and turn off power as directed.
  2. Drain without leaving the empty shell exposed to damaging heat, sun, or freezing conditions.
  3. Clean the shell, waterline, jets, cover, and filter with compatible products kept separate.
  4. Refill through the manufacturer-specified location to reduce air-lock risk.
  5. Restore power, verify circulation and temperature control, then balance and sanitize with label-directed products.

Make it recurring

Put the relevant tasks on your schedule.

Open Care Schedule

General safety references: CDC chemical safety, CPSC drain-cover guidance. Equipment-specific manuals and local rules control every procedure.