Tag Archive for: pool winterization

How to Winterize your Swimming Pool

Every pool owner needs to close their pool for winter. During winter, there are harsh climatic conditions that could damage open pools. So, a good percentage of homeowners often winterize their pools just before winter. Fortunately, winterizing your pool is not as complex as most people think. In this article, we look at how to winterize your swimming pool.

How to Winterize your Swimming Pool

When should you start to winterize your swimming pool?

Typically, it would be best if you started to winterize your swimming pool once the temperatures start getting down to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid winterizing your pool very early; since you risk having algae problems.

A detailed procedure for swimming pool winterization

  1. The first thing to do when winterizing your swimming pool is to remove your pool accessories. Pull out your pool steps, skimmer baskets, ladders, and cleaning equipment from the pool. Additionally, get rid of all dirt particles from the pool, including algae.
  2. Next, deep clean the pool. Use a skimmer net to get rid of all floating debris. Also, use a quality pool vacuum to get rid of the dirt inside the pool. During this stage, it would be best to brush all the pool’s surfaces gently. Deep cleaning the pool helps you balance the water chemistry as well as prevent the growth of algae. Once you finish cleaning the pool, cover it to protect it from dirt.
  3. Afterward, balance the water chemistry. Your pool should have a neutral pH of approximately 7.2 to 7.6. So, use a test kit to identify the pool pH and adjust it accordingly. If your pool is too alkaline, add muriatic acid to lower the Ph. On the other hand, if your pool is too acidic, use sodium bicarbonate to achieve a neutral pH. Also, check the calcium hardness levels in the pool. Generally, calcium hardness should measure between 175 to 225ppm. Moreover, ensure the pool has the correct chlorine levels. Balanced water chemistry helps you avoid common pool problems.
  4. The next thing to do is to reduce the water levels in the pool. The water level in the pool should be slightly below the skimmer. There are many ways to drain water from the pool. Consider using a hose. Draining a pool takes approximately one to two days.
  5. After lowering the water level in the pool, drain your pool equipment. Failure to drain the pool equipment before closing them for winter can lead to severe damage, especially when temperatures drop to freezing point. Drain your pool filters, pumps among other equipment. Then, let the pool equipment dry and store them in a safe place for winter.
  6. Once you complete draining your pool equipment, conduct a pool shock. Shocking the pool gets rid of algae and all harmful microorganisms present in the pool. More often than not, pool owners prefer using a chlorine pool shock. They add excess chlorine to the pool for maximum disinfection. If you decide to conduct a chlorine shock, ensure you wear protective garments to reduce skin irritation.
  7. Use a quality automatic pool cover or winter cover to cover the pool. Doing this keeps the pool safe throughout the entire winter. However, note that winter covers do not offer a lot of protection like safety covers. Safety covers protect the pool from dirt more effectively. But they are likely to fall into the pool after some time accidentally. On the other hand, winter covers stay intact during the entire winter.

Winterizing an Aboveground Pool

The process of winterizing an aboveground pool is similar to that of an inground pool. The only difference comes in when draining the pool lines. During this step, you’ll have to unplug the hoses and use the outlets for draining. Also, when covering an aboveground pool, put up an air pillow in the middle. The air pillow is responsible for regulating the pressure coming from snow and ice. Thus, it protects the pool from damage.

How to Winterize your Swimming Pool

Why should you winterize your pool?

Winterizing your pool protects your pool equipment from damage. During winter, pool equipment becomes more susceptible to ice and snow; hence they can freeze. You definitely don’t want to spend thousands on pool equipment repairs and replacements the following summer.

Another reason why you should winterize your swimming pool is to keep the pool in good condition. It is impossible to conduct weekly pool maintenance procedures during winter. So, it would be best to close your pool for winter once and for all.

Need help to winterize your swimming pool? Hire the best pool professionals

It is essential to winterize your swimming pool before winter. This process keeps the pool in good shape throughout the entire winter. The steps involved in pool winterization are not as complicated as most people think. Nevertheless, it would be best to hire a pool professional to conduct the winterization process for you. At Fox Pools, we have the best pool contractors who are highly experienced in pool winterization. So, do not hesitate to contact us if you need any pool winterization services.

Pool Closing Service

Pool Closing Service

Our pool closing service is the absolute best way to protect your swimming pool. With our complete winterization service you’ll have the peace of mind in knowing that your swimming pool will be safe during the winter and in ready to use condition next season.

Our Pool Winterization / Pool Closing Service Includes:

Let the experts at Fox Pools help you properly close down your pool for the off-season.

Complete Pool Closing Winterization Service $150

  • Removing all leaves and debris from the swimming pool
  • Backwashing the filtration system
  • Draining your pool pump and heater
  • Plugging the returns and skimmers
  • Removing and storing all deck equipment (ladders, handrails, etc…)
  • Inspecting and installing a pool safety cover
  • Blowing off the pool deck area and equipment pad
  • Adding winterizing chemicals

When Should You Close Your Pool?

One of the most common pool maintenance questions we get asked is, “When should I close my pool?”.

Typically most pool owners look to close their swimming pool down for the season shortly after Labor Day. The primary reason is that with children going back to school and the cooler autumn months around the corner, most home owners just don’t see as much use out of their swimming pool after September. Unless you have a pool heater and plan to extend your swim season a bit, the uninviting temperature of the water can make keeping your pool operational after Labor Day more trouble then it’s worth. When the water temperature is constantly below 60 degrees, it is prudent to close your pool.

Winterize your pool will help protect it from freezing. Pool closing service helps prevent damage.

Winterizing your pool will help protect it from freezing. Pool closing service helps prevent damage.

Closing your pool alleviates the worry about your pump or filter equipment freezing once winter comes. Draining the water out of the system (but not the actual swimming pool itself) is part of winterizing your pool and getting it closed for the off-season.

Why You Should Close Your Swimming Pool In The Off-Season

The easiest approach to protect your pool investment is to close it for the season from September to October. An early freeze in November or December can quickly damage your pool and it will be far too late to close it by then if that happens. Closing your pool in the off-season will make the start of next season a breeze. To make the water swimmable again, you’ll need fewer chemicals. By adopting preventative actions, you can even extend the life of pool surfaces and your pool equipment. It takes a little extra effort, but it’s nothing compared to how much labor it will be to open your pool again next summer if you don’t close it properly.

Avoid a dirty pool in the summer by closing your pool in the off-season.

Avoid a dirty pool in the summer by closing your pool in the off-season.

Consider that for a moment. While your pool is left open all summer, leaves, bugs, twigs, and anything else that may blow in are likely to end up in the water. The entire summer is spent removing all of those items from the water before they have a chance to settle and decay in the water if the swimming pool is being used frequently and actively maintained.

Consider what would happen if you left your pool exposed all winter, but didn’t use it, skim it, brush it, or vacuum it every day. All of that material, plus more, would be wreaking havoc; clogging the skimmer, and messing with the chemistry of your pool.

When the time comes to reopen your pool, you would have a lot of work ahead of you just to get it swimmable again. It’s possible to avoid all of that simply by closing your pool for the season; it’s a low maintenance strategy towards protecting your pool. Installing a pool safety cover and winterizing your swimming pool for the off-season is the #1 way to ensure that your swimming pool will be protected from the elements and be in ready-to-swim condition with a minimal amount of pool service or chemical maintenance in order to open in next season.