Are winterizing kits worth the money?

I was just wondering if the kits offered by companies like In the Swim were worth the money or do they contain mostly overpriced or worthless stuff for the pool? They contain a winterizer algaecide, stain preventer, non chlorine shock, a floater containing non chlorine oxidizer and a floating thing to suck up oils/lotions for $42. Or would I be better off just getting the Algaecide 60 plus and the chlorine free shock for a total of $38. I really don't know what their "winterizer" contains.

thanks,
Mike
16x32 IG Grecian 3.5-8ft deep

The winterizing kit I was given "free" with my winter cover contained two gallons of winterizing algaecide (the linear quat type), a bottle of antifreeze (useless to me as I'm taking all my equipment inside for the winter, a bottle of winter cover cleaner (??) and two winter floats to suspend in the pool. :shrug:

I went with a quart of the polyquat algaecide and bleach. I did hang the winter float things though. We have a ways to go before a freeze, so maybe they're worth it.

In a word: No. My winterizing kit of chemicals consists of a quart of polyquat 60% and bleach.

Antifreeze is only if you have pipes that may freeze.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CarlD

In a word: No. My winterizing kit of chemicals consists of a quart of polyquat 60% and bleach.

Antifreeze is only if you have pipes that may freeze.

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So do you just add bleach as needed throughout the winter? How about when the water is frozen? Or does it last a lot longer in the colder temps/less light because its covered.

Once the water is cold and especially if you have a winter cover - no sunlight - you typically don't have to do anything to the water. I occasionally may test the water, but have never had to add any bleach in the winter.

Why add bleach when the water is frozen? Below 60 degrees algae growth is highly inhibited and below 50 it virtually ceases. I've never heard of growing algae in a frozen pool! I can get a foot of ice.

I never add bleach after I close, and I wait till the water is close to 60 to close.

Al, you need to post your picture of algae in a frozen pool.