23 Nov 2024
6 Important Pool Care Tips On How To Maintain Your Pool During The Winter Months
Maintaining the condition of your outdoor pool during the winter months will ensure that you protect your investment, avoid future costly repairs and have a stress-free opening for the ensuing warmer months.
Below are important guidelines on pool maintenance during the winter months:
Monitor the pool chemicals
Even when the pool is not in use, chemical imbalances can lead to staining, scaling or algae growth. Check the water chemistry every 4-6 weeks. If you are not ready to open your pool and the weather is getting warmer, add a little bit of liquid chlorine, because the warmer water will be the perfect environment for the algae to grow.
Constantly check and protect your equipment.
During the cold months, the pool’s plumbing lines should be free of water. In your filter system, look for any water build up, because any water can freeze, expand and crack any plastic in your pool. If you detect any water, drain it and make sure it is removed. Check the pool pump regularly to see that it functions properly and does not have any calcium buildup. Also inspect the sand filter, backwash and rinse on a regular basis as per the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Look after your pool cover.
Keep the pool cover free from any debris, standing water or leaves. This prevents sagging and tearing. Make sure that the cover fits properly and do not use objects such as rocks and bricks to affix the pool cover. Instead use the recommended weights and water tubes.
Monitor the pool’s water level
Your water level could be low or high. If it is low, you need to add water underneath the cover to prevent the cover from sagging. If the level is high, you need to drain it to prevent the water from overflowing. With high levels, water can be drained with a winter cover pump or a sump pump.
Clear out unwanted debris
Strong winds and weather storms are responsible for a lot of debris like leaves and foliage floating around. Remember to regularly empty your skimmer baskets, pump baskets, floor cleaner containers and cleaner bags. This will keep your water and equipment cleaner, prevent blockages and make your life easier in the spring.
Open pool without a cover
If your pool does not have a cover, you need to keep the water circulating to prevent freezing and maintaining water quality. Run the pool pump for a few hours each day or every other day. If you live in a region of extreme cold climate, a floating de-icer or a pool heater will help prevent freezing.
Skimming, vacuuming and brushing out organic debris on a weekly basis will save you time dealing with green and dirty water in the spring.
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