Every pool owner knows that when autumn rolls around, it is time to close this facility. But, opening it up in the spring is without creating an aquatic disaster area. There are tips for swimming pool care during the winter you should follow. Here are many tips on how to drain and close your swimming pool safely. So you can enjoy a refreshing swim next summer!
Why Pool Care Matters
Keep the water in your pool clean, crystal clear, and free of any debris. Any pollutants or contaminants could make their way back into it. This is once it has been opened for use again. Algae might grow quickly when you do not maintain your swimming pool during hibernation. This is why tips for swimming pool care during the winter are important to follow. Make it a winter routine.
Closing your pool at the end of the season means winterizing it as an excellent idea! Doing so helps in keeping water safe and clean as well as avoiding future health-related issues. Expensive equipment might get damaged due to lack of usage over time.
Give proper care before summer comes around. This will also prevent any potential damages that might have occurred without regular use throughout each year. Closing for good is on December 31.
Reasons To Close Your Pool
Protect the structure of your pool. This is to avoid any wear and tear from harsh weather conditions. Removing water eliminates any potential corrosion that might have occurred throughout the year. Use fewer chemicals to keep it clean and cause fewer chemical reactions.
Winter Pool Care Tips
Familiarize yourself with 10 tips for swimming pool care during the winter that you can do. Here they are:
Prevent Pipes and System from Freezing
Prevent pipes from freezing as this might cause damage to your pool equipment. Shut off the pump and filter system. Drain water from the heater and other equipment. Remove any leaf debris that may have fallen into your pool throughout autumn. Prevent it from rotting beneath the snow during the winter months.
Avoid frozen pipes by clearing out standing water and equipment with a blower or compressor. Plug the pool’s plumbing to prevent any additional freezing while you are working on it. Once you drain everything of excess moisture when there was none in the first place means you can add swimming pool antifreeze. Put it along all lines leading from your entrance gate down into your home’s private backyard oasis.
This will help keep you free from frost! So you can have fun all year! Do not worry about losing thousands due to roof repair and replacement services. Places, where you can use these products, include ground pools and spas that boast hot tub options that lush green grass surrounds.
Dry The Pool Cover
Dry the pool cover to protect it from damage. Get rid of water by removing the center rings and poles that hold your cover in place. Then you can dry it off with a towel or use a leaf blower. It will save you tons of money on water damage repair costs to get rid of this problem quickly!
A pool cover is an important tool in the prevention of fungal, algae, and bacteria growth. It consists of materials that resist water damage. So it can withstand harsh weather conditions without leaking or seeping back into your swimming area.
The best choice for this type of protection would have some form of tamper-proofing. Attach metal straps over decking boards then tension them down tightly across their surface. These types tend not only to keep leaves out. But also help prevent any snowmelt from damaging exposed pavers underneath. This is when winter comes around again!
Add Mid-Winter Algaecide
Add mid-winter algaecide to keep algae at bay or any chemical that will work in killing off the green things! Simply add chemicals into the water along with shock treatment for swimming pool care during the winter months. Ensure that all of it is well mixed to avoid clouding your pool’s water. This helps maintain crystal clear water when you open it up for use again in the springtime.
Add an algaecide to the water to ensure that your pool is free of algae. You want this treatment for all of winter and springtime. Make sure it is a product that lasts long enough to not have any regrowth after you get back into the summer season.
Mid-Winter Water Testing
Simply test your pool’s water to avoid harmful bacteria. Make sure to check chlorine levels regularly throughout the year. This is even when it is not currently in use. It needs optimal protection against algae growth and other contaminants like lead and copper. These can enter through corroded pipes or fittings. Also, check the pressure gauge on the pool pump. Readjust it as needed after storage.
Reduce The Water Level
Facilitate water evaporation by reducing your pool’s water level. Allow a one-inch depletion from the normal maximum pool depth. Ensure that you do not lower it by more than four inches from the top of the skimmer, though. This is because you need to leave enough space for an air pocket between your pool cover and the surface of the water. This is so that the pool pump does not run dry when you add chemicals.
You may find that heavy rain has raised the water level of your in-ground pool! It needs some removed to avoid subsequent damage. Another possible cause is accidentally leaving a hose running! This leads to overfilling or preparing for winter. Lower it with filters equipped with multi-port and so on. An alternative to these options is submersible pumps and garden hoses that you can also use.
Adding Chemicals
Add your winterizing chemicals now. This includes your pool’s algaecide to keep it free of algae growth. Take care that the chemicals have chlorine for swimming pool care during the winter months. This way, you can enjoy a cleaner and safer swim in spring. Adding water clarifiers can also help control cloudy water due to entrained sediment left behind from winter precipitation.
Do not let winter weather damage your swimming pool. Do it by adding some tips for swimming pool care during the wintertime! Ensuring that you clean and close your pool properly will help keep things in good condition longer.
Check on any chemicals or devices needed to manage water changes over the colder months of the year. Doing so will ensure that you get to enjoy a nice swim when spring rolls around again next year!
Avoid chemical changes by opening or closing valves without adequate protection against freezing temperatures. Simply remove all equipment from the decking area. This includes skimmers, drains, motors, heaters, and filters. Protect these items with covers made especially for this purpose.
Store Pool Accessories Away
Storing your accessories is easy! Take away everything from the decking area of the swimming pool. Put it all in a storage unit or outdoor shed for protection during snowmelt or rain showers. Remove any drain plugs on equipment that also has them. Do not store pumps and filters with water still inside them. This way, they do not freeze when left out in the elements overnight.
Your poolside area just got a lot more organized with float racks, pole hooks, and vacuum hose hangers. Organizers can keep floats out of harm’s way as well as towels conveniently hung up for quick access when needed! Use a storage cube to put everything else. Examples are your exercise equipment or testing kits.
It has plenty of room inside and also looks good! Hang it at one end so that makes staying in shape very convenient. Take advantage of rolling up those solar blankets before storing them away neatly for the next time around. You know how much easier all this would make things in keeping them neat.
Regularly Check The Pool
Check your in-ground pool for any signs of damage. You may need to call a professional when this happens. Otherwise, the next step will be doing it yourself when spring comes around again. Take out leaves and other debris from skimmers and gutters before things get too bad.
This applies to above-ground pools as well. Inspect for damage to the liner or steps. All these tips ensure that you have a safer swimming pool when putting them into action during the spring!
Inspect your pool equipment before it gets too cold. This includes cleaning any debris from pumps and filters. Regularly clean your pool’s filter system when you have one. It helps keep problems from happening when it comes to tips for swimming pool care during the winter.
You may need to shut down the water supply before storage depending on your climate. This is necessary throughout colder areas where temperatures can quickly damage equipment! But some parts of North America do not require this practice even in the winter months.
Protect Pool Cover From Falling Branches
Keep a winter cover in good condition for the next season. Protect it from falling branches and other debris that may damage it. Turn off electricity to both above-ground and in-ground pools before covering them up for the year. Remove leaves and debris from skimmers and gutters before covering up the pool. Make sure to do this with any type of winter cover you use as well.
The accumulation of pine needles on the surface of a pool can quickly lead to overgrowth. Trees near your property mean necessary regular trimming and pruning. This is for optimal cleanliness around these areas as well as other parts within view from where they grow or hang out.
Prevent too much contamination that could potentially damage concrete surfaces with its sharp edges causing cuts. These could cause great pain when trying to dive into one’s bathing waters after hours.
Cleaning Methods Depending On Weather
The best tips for swimming pool care during the winter starts with understanding the current weather conditions. Colder temperatures mean a chemical reaction that is different from cleaning in warmer weather.
There is no need to clean as often in warmer climates. Things such as leaves and dirt can sit on the surface of your pool until it heats back up again. But colder weather means unknown contaminants. These include bird droppings, dust, and pollen that may have accumulated during the time you were away. Remove them before they start decomposing. Turn into algae blobs that will eventually grow into slimy-looking spots.
Saltwater pools require a little bit more maintenance. Balance the water to ensure there is no damage done to the equipment or your health. When it comes to tips for swimming pool care during the winter, you need to make sure this does not happen to saltwater pools.
Keep Water pH Balanced
Adjust the pH to a stable level that will not damage equipment or give you a bad case of contact dermatitis. Consider hiring a professional to do this for you when all this seems like too much work. Commercial cleaning companies have chemicals and other tools available to get your pool clean. This is before the time to open them is back!
Test the water after adding chemicals. This is another tip for swimming pool care during the winter that applies to commercial cleaning companies as well.
The pH (potential hydrogen) of your swimming pool water is the key indicator for determining how well it will maintain cleanliness. The lower or higher this number means the less appealing its chemical balance becomes. So there is more work to do when you want an inviting environment.
Looking for a Pool Upgrade
Above All Masonry serves Long Island when you like to upgrade your swimming pool! This company gives you tips for swimming pool care during the winter. Check out their page to get additional advice! That is when you are looking to make your recent purchase last! All your effort becomes worth it when you want your latest purchase to last longer than expected!
Having tips for swimming pool care during the winter is a great way to ensure this happens! You can find tips on maintaining saltwater pools. This also goes for tips regarding outdoor spas. Use them frequently during the summer months. Masonry companies know what you need to maximize your last purchase.
Remember all of these tips on how you can take care of your swimming pool during the winter. Practice at least one and keep on adding those that you find effective.
