Tips for the End of Pool Season
It’s almost time again when the temperatures begin to dip and the leaves begin to change. This also means that it’s time to properly prepare your pool to be closed for the season. Properly winterizing your pool is essential in keeping the pool’s structure, plumbing, and equipment in tip-top shape. Here are some of our tips on what you should do to close your pool this season.
Prepare your pool for the end of the season with these quick tips and your swimming pool maintenance will be a breeze!
When’s the best time to start closing the pool?
Begin checking the weather forecast regularly starting in October. Smart pool owners will begin testing the water of the pool one week before fully winterizing their pool. Be sure that you leave yourself enough time to close the pool before the temperatures sink below freezing.
To Empty or Not to Empty?
When in doubt, it’s always best to keep the pool full rather than drain it. Draining a pool without taking the proper precautions can result in the build-up of hydrostatic pressure, which can completely destroy in-ground concrete pools.
How Should I Clean the Water?
On the day you plan on officially closing your pool, take the time to thoroughly vacuum all areas of the pool. Check your pool filter and see whether or not it has a “waste indicator.” If not, make sure that the vacuum is kept only on the “filter” position.
Next, you’ll want to go about treating the water. This includes balancing:
pH levels
Calcium hardness
Total alkalinity
Do I Need a Winterizing Treatment?
While they might not be necessary for swimming pools located in some southern states, winterizing treatments are a MUST for anyone who lives in colder climates. The water in your pool can become corrosive when temperatures dip below 28°F.
How Low Should the Water Go?
Depending on the type of cover that you’ll be placing over your pool, you should lower the water level as follows:
Vinyl-Lined Covers: 1 inch below the skimmer mouth (or more if you receive heavy snow and/or rain during the fall/winter).
Painted/Natural Finish Solid Material Cover: 6 inches below the skimmer mouth.
Plaster Finish Solid Material Cover: 1 to 6 inches below either the tile line or the skimmer mouth (whichever is lower).
Automatic Cover: Maintain a water level that is at around the same level as the bottom of the skimmer mouth.
