With fall quickly approaching, and winter not far behind, pool owners are tasked with closing their pools for the season. Experts recommend taking proper steps each year to winterize your pool to reduce the risk of busting frozen pipes, keep pools clean and save time and resources that come with summer maintenance. Taking the appropriate steps at the end of pool season will ensure a quick reopening once the weather warms in the spring and summer months. You will want to start closing your pool when temperatures are consistently below 60°. If you close your pool too early, you run the risk of increased algae and bacterial growth while it is closed. Follow the below steps and tips to best close your pool.
Balance Your Pool Water
Toward the end of the pool season, start testing your pool water. Closing a pool while the water is balanced creates a safe atmosphere for water to sit throughout the winter months. Homeowners will want to ensure that the pool’s alkalinity, calcium hardness and pH are balanced prior to closing. If you are maintaining your pool water during the summer, your water will likely already be balanced.
Clean and Remove Accessories
Use some elbow grease to clean your pool’s edges and surfaces. You’ll want to clean debris from floating at the surface of the water; use a hose to clean any dirt from the bottom of the pool. If you’re having problems balancing your pool water, it may be dirty. After thoroughly cleaning, remove any added accessories from your pool, including heaters and skimmer baskets. You will also want to remove any attachments, such as ladders or handrails. Once removed, clean them separately and store them in a dry place for the winter.
Drain Your Pipes and (Some) Water
Once your pool water is balanced and cleaned, drain a bit of your water to avoid freezing pipes in the winter. The amount you should lower your water level will depend on the type of pool cover you have, but you’ll want to lower your water level about 4-6 inches below its normal level. After lowering your water, it is best to blow the excess water out of your pool’s plumbing lines. To do this, you can use an air compressor or vacuum to blow the lines out until they are dry. You may want to let the pump run for a couple of minutes. Plug the bottom of the skimmer with a skimmer plug once finished.
Add Your Winterizing Chemicals
Pool winterizing chemicals should be used each season before your pool cover goes on. If pool chemicals have seemed complicated in the past, opt for an all-in-one winterizing kit to make it easy on yourself. Homeowners will want to ensure they are using winterizing chemicals that protect from algae and contaminants. Simply add your winterizing chemicals to your pool water according to the package directions. You may also want to use this time to shock your pool, especially if regular maintenance has not been kept up.
Cover Your Pool
Choose a secure and durable cover and place it on top of your pool. You may choose a safety cover for your pool instead of a winter cover. Placing the cover should be done with two people to ensure it is centered and placed flat on the surface of the water. A cover pump can be used on top of the pool cover in the center. This pump will work throughout the winter to drain any water that pools on top of the cover from rain or snow.
By: Katherine Robinson, a writer for Royal Swimming Pools
