We all love to swim in the pool on hot summer days. Nevertheless, when autumn comes, the question arises of how to take care of a pool in the winter. This is undoubtedly a very important question because if you mishandle your pools during the cold season, you can face many problems.
- Garbage collection
- Correct pool water level
- Chemical composition of water
- Cleaning pool equipment
- Cover swimming pool
- Install alarm system
By the onset of spring, you may find that part of the pool system is not working, the water supply pipes have burst, or some of the pool finishes have fallen off and the pool needs significant repairs. Since each of us would not like to face such problems, let’s figure out how to avoid this and how to properly prepare your pool for the winter cold.
Garbage Collection and Pool Cleaning
The first question homeowners often face is when to start preparing their pool for winter. There is no exact answer to this question, because in each climatic zone there are different temperatures and, for example, in the north at the end of August it is already cool, but in the south, the heat can last all year round.
Therefore, it is worth concentrating on a simple answer, start preparing your pool for the winter period as soon as you realize that you will no longer use it this year.
First of all, you need to clean the pool. Remove any debris that might have gotten into it. Typically, these are leaves, small twigs, and other little things that fall into the pool from the surrounding backyard.
Then it is worth looking at the waterline of the pool. Most likely, stains and small deposits have accumulated on the tiles over the season. In most cases, handy tools such as vinegar and baking soda will be sufficient to clean them. Wipe the tiles gently, taking care to keep the substances as little as possible in the pool water. They are not harmful to humans, but they can disrupt the acidity of your pool water.
If more stubborn stains have formed on the pool tiles, you should use special cleaning agents. Before choosing a cleaning agent, you need to understand what type of tiles you are using. For a more detailed selection, we recommend that you consult with the supplier so that cleaning does not spoil the appearance of your pool.
Correct Pool Water Level
A common question that arises from homeowners is what level of water to leave for the winter. In most cases, everything will depend on what temperature zone you live in.
The first case is if you live in a rather cold climate and in winter you have a temperature below zero. In this case, it is recommended to drain some of the water so that it is 4 to 6 inches below the skimmer. This will allow you to protect the equipment from water ingress and subsequent freezing. Otherwise, the pump in your pool may be damaged.
If you live in a warm enough climate and there is no subzero temperature in winter, then you can leave the pool almost full. All you have to do is remove a few inches of water so that there is air space between the level and the blanket.
Remember, it is not recommended to completely drain your pool. In winter, water can also have some protective functions. Firstly, if you take care of the pool properly, the water will be in excellent condition and you will not have to refill it.
Secondly, the proper level of the pool allows you to reduce the load on the blanket, which will keep it intact. And thirdly, it is very important to understand that water protects the finish of your pool from drying out, keeping tiles and other elements from cracking and weathering.
Maintaining the Water Chemistry
After cleaning the pool itself, it is worth taking care of the water that remains in it throughout the winter season. It is important to keep the PH level in the water at a safe level. Determining the PH level in water is very easy with the PH test strip.
This simple device will be enough to understand the level in the water and balance it. It is recommended to check the PH level in the water every two weeks.
It is also worth taking care of water chlorination. For the winter period, 1 to 2 parts of salt chlorate per million particles will be sufficient. Do not exceed this amount if the pool is covered. This is because the cover material will not allow chemicals to pass through and excessive chlorine levels can damage your pool equipment.
By maintaining the correct chlorine levels in your water, you will keep your water clean throughout the winter. This will keep your pool safe from algae. Remember that maintaining the condition of the pool water plays an important role in how to take care of a pool in the winter.
Cleaning Pool Equipment before Winter
Before preparing for the winter season, it is also important to take care of all the equipment used in the pool. The first thing to do is to clean all used filters and pumps so that no accumulated dirt and debris remains in them.
It is also worth understanding that even when you are not using your equipment, from time to time it needs to be checked for serviceability. Check heating equipment, filters, and pumps at least once a month to keep equipment in good condition.
Also, make sure that no water remains in the pipes. This is especially important if you live in cold climates and there are severe frosts. Frozen water can cause pipes to burst, leading to costly repairs.
If you are not sure how to properly shut down the equipment before winter, you should contact a professional company. The staff of the company will carry out all the necessary procedures and give you useful advice on how to take care of a pool in the winter.
Swimming Pool Covering
After carrying out all the checks and cleaning, it is worth taking care of covering the pool. The cover is a natural barrier from various debris and precipitation entering the pool water. The special material must be fixed over the entire pool area. Since each pool has its shape and size, the order of such a cover is usually made individually, according to the size of your pool.
There are also automatic systems. If you install such a system in a pool, then the process of covering the pool will be much easier and you only need to press a couple of buttons. Automatic pool cover systems are very convenient, but you will have to pay a lot for such a device. Depending on the equipment and the size of the pool, prices can vary in the region of $ 5000 – $ 15000.
Pool Alarm Systems
After carrying out all the preparatory work, you should also remember to install an alarm on your pool. This is a very useful device that beeps when something or someone enters the pool.
It is especially important to use a pool alarm when you have small children in your home. Walking in the backyard, they may not notice the covered pool and fall into it, especially when it is snowing outside. Such a device will allow you to react immediately and will not allow tragedy to happen.
How to Take Care of a Pool in the Winter with Professionals Help
Compliance with all of these steps will serve you well. I would also like to remind you that there can be very strong differences in how to take care of a pool in the winter. The care of the pool can be influenced by climatic features, the size, and location of the pool, as well as many other nuances.
Based on this, we would recommend that you, at least in the first year of operation, contact a company that maintains swimming pools. You can find out a lot of useful information exclusively about your equipment and what subtleties in handling it should be observed. Well, if you do not want to deal with this whole process, you can completely shift these concerns onto professional employees.
