Service

In preparing your pool for a winter freeze, one of the most critical things on the list for those living in climates where temperatures fall below freezing in the winter is to thoroughly winterize the pool. Winterizing your pool helps prevent system components from freezing and expanding water that may be in the lines. For best practices, follow the following tips on how to prepare your pool for a winter freeze.

As temperatures start to drop and leaves start to fall, it’s time to take action. The way the weather can change unexpectedly in some areas, you might be scraping snow accumulations from your pool cover before you know it! Take these steps to ensure you don’t get any expensive surprises when you open your pool in the spring. 

Cold Climate

• Adjust the pH level to 7.2-7.8. This will avoid staining, scaling, and the growth of algae.
• Run the filter for 24 to 48 hours, depending on how dirty your water is.
• Skim the floating debris and clean the pool thoroughly.
• Add an algaecide to avoid the development of algae until the water is frozen.
• Follow the instructions of your pool manufacturer to lower your water level. Only a few types of pools need to be fully drained during the winter. Many pools withstand cold temperatures better when they are partly filled with water as a buffer. An entirely empty pool may also crack or pop out of the ground due to groundwater pressure. If an automatic cover is used, be sure to obey the manufacturer’s directions on the water level. Some would recommend that you plug the skimmer and go back after blowing out the plumbing lines, and lift the water level to a point where it will support the cover when it is weighed down by the snow.
• Turn the filter pump off and empty the pump, filter heater, and other equipment. Additionally, to avoid freezing, store equipment. Follow the instructions of the manufacturer for lubrication and proper covering.
• Switch off all power to the support equipment and detach the fuses or switch off the circuit breakers.
• If you’ve got a slide or a diving board, take it off and store it.
• Securely cover the pool with a solid or mesh protection cover or automatic cover. Ensure that the edge of the cover is sealed so that the wind doesn’t get under it. A good pool cover resists water, temperature, pool chemicals, and keeps leaves and other debris away.

Mild Climate

If you live in a mild environment, you’ll have a more extended pool season. However, when you use your pool rarely, it is not unprecedented for temperatures to drop below freezing from time to time, even in warmer places. Although you do not need to really winterize your pool, you can minimize maintenance by following the four simple steps below prior to freezing temperatures.

• Check your freeze protection. It can be a manual dial or part of your pool pump or pool automation. However, as the temperature drops, ensure that your freeze protection is working to prevent any fractured or damaged equipment.
• Cut the running time of the filter in half and reduce the run time of the pump. If necessary, set the runtime to the evening when it is coldest so that when your freeze security is enabled, it also counts against the amount of time required to filter the pool. This results in a small amount of cost savings that can add up if done correctly.
• Keep the pH level between 7.2-7.8 and test frequently to keep the available chlorine-free between 1.0 and 3.0 ppm.
• Follow the manufacturer’s directions for the proper care and maintenance of your pool equipment, even during this period of reduced use. Consider hibernating additional pool features that you might have, such as slides and other accessories, to prevent damage.
• If you do not cover your swimming pool, clean the skimmer regularly, keep the filter as instructed by the manufacturer, and vacuum as needed.
• Covering the pool will keep the debris out and reduce the need for chlorine. Until coating, shock treatment of the water according to the direction of the chemical manufacturer.

Saying Goodbye (and Hello!) to Pool Season

Staying on top of your pool maintenance during the swimming season and then properly preparing your pool when the weather turns will save you a lot of time, money, and frustration during winter freeze. If the hibernation tasks seem a little too overwhelming, it’s never a bad idea to contact a trusted, local pool service company to provide you with these services. This will ensure that the maintenance is done correctly to help keep your pool in the best possible shape for the next season.