Atlanta pool "closure"

Hello all -

While we still have some swimming time here near Atlanta, GA the time approaches to shut things down. Since in the past I've never seen more than a thin skin of ice on the pool I don't see the need for a serious pool closing. My plan is this after the water temp drops to 60F:

1. Make sure the water is balanced. Shock with bleach.
2. Remove the ladder. Probably impossible, since years of SWG seem to have corroded the thing in place.
3. Install a mesh cover over the ladder, since I probably can't get it out.
4. Monitor water every week or so, running the filter 1 or 2 hours per day. I should be able to take a sample from the filter strainer basket.
5. If sustained cold weather is forecast, run the filter, and cover filter and pump with a big sheet of plastic. Run a 100 watt incandescent bulb under the plastic sheet. The filter is in a pool house, so dangerous temps inside should be unlikely.

Can anyone suggest anything else? Should I shock with bleach periodically? How about a good dose of polyquat, even though we've had no hint of algae since the new filter and liner?

George, sounds good to me.

Here is a thread on getting the ladder out. You may need a double or triple dose of POP to get it out using water and wiggling - but it should eventually come out. If you run out of POP - you can unbolt the treads so as to get more side-to-side torque.

If you have more questions on your 'non- closing', just give a holler, we're here all year long :)

It usually takes many hours in the mid 20's for above ground pipes to freeze solid and do damage. The thing that goes first is the pressure gauge so you can remove that and put in a 1/4 NPT pipe plug. If you want to keep it in place then get some fiberglass insulation or even old blankets and wrap ther top of the filter. With the mass of the warmer water in the filter and the blankets there should be enough warmth to keep the valve and gauge from freezing.
Al

I'd put another 100watt bulb in with the filter.

BE CERTAIN BOTH BULBS ARE GROUND-FAULTED!

Push the chlorine up. And, since you have a salt water generator, why not push the salt up to it's safe maximum? That will lower the freezing point of the water as well.