Winter Pool Closing

Preparing To Close Your Swimming Pool For Winter

In many areas of the country, Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer. Though temperatures often allow for many more weeks of enjoyment in your pool, it also signals the time of year to start thinking about winterizing your pool.

Here are the steps that we will take:

  • The water will need to be balanced. One of the first steps your tech will take is to make sure the water is in perfect chemical balance because that will protect your pool walls and equipment from scale buildup and erosion.
  • Your swimming pool should be, and will be, thoroughly cleaned. Your pool pro will use a pool brush to scrub the walls and floors of the pool and will then vacuum up all of the loosened debris. Leaving any dirt, debris or leaves behind can lead to stained pool finishes.
  • Winterizing chemicals will then be added to the deep end (if you have one). These chemicals keep the water quality protected during the long winter months.
  • The filter, pump basket and skimmer will be cleaned before storage. All unused chlorine will be removed from the chlorinator and the sand in your filter and grids should be cleaned and backwashed. Your tech will install a skimmer guard and plug the return line and he will lower the water in the pool to a level below the water returns. It is your preference and your swimming pool technicians’ recommendations help with this choice.
  • Hoses should be removed for the winter and drain plugs should be removed from the pump, filter tank and other equipment. Keep all of the equipment and plugs in a safe, warm dry place that you will have easy access to when the new swimming season rolls around.
  • If you have air pillows to protect your pool and the cover, you can have them inflated and available for the swimming pool renovation specialist. The air pillows should be anchored so they stay in the middle of the pool and your tech will do this by tying it from two sides so it will stay in the middle to hold the cover up. The pillows aren’t mandatory but are useful as they give the pool cover a “tent” and keep the water and snow from settling in the middle and dragging the cover down.
  • Installing the winter cover will be the next step. The cover will keep dirt, debris and rain and snow from going into the water and upsetting the chemical balances. Check the pool cover from time to time during the winter season and pump off excess water and brush off snow so that it doesn’t drag the cover down.
  • Don’t forget that you will want to either store or cover your deck furniture and other equipment to protect it from the ravages of winter. If you don’t have a dedicated space for the furniture remove the cushions and store them where the elements won’t damage them.

Taking steps now will keep your pool in shape for the next season and making opening your pool much easier next year.

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