As the weather turns colder, we at Backyard Paradise and Restoration know that few people are likely to want to go swimming. Fewer people have home swimming pools, and fewer still have heated swimming pools, so odds are that you won’t be taking a dip until the weather warms up again. However, if you do have a swimming pool on your property, the fact that you’re not using it during the winter months does not mean that you’re free to ignore it. Swimming pools require maintenance throughout the year in order to stay in good condition.
Our team at Backyard Paradise and Restoration has put together this brief guide to winter pool maintenance to help you make sure that your pool is ready for swimming as soon as the weather permits.
- Prevent Your System from Freezing- As fall turns into winter and you prepare to close your pool for the season, it’s important to make sure that the various parts of your pool system won’t freeze. Your pipes and the motorized parts of your system can be badly damaged by the expansion of freezing water. Drain the water from your swimming pool’s pump, heater, and filter, and make sure to drain the water in the pool to 4-6 inches below the skimmer.
- Prevent Algae Growth with a Mid-Winter Algaecide- Another key step to maintaining swimming pools during the winter is to use an algaecide. This chemical solution will prevent algae from growing in your pool water while you’re not using it. When you’re ready to close the pool for the year, add the algaecide and run the pump for 24 hours to fully circulate it. You can then shut down your circulation system for the winter.
- Ensure a Clean Opening with Chlorine- A third essential step in winter maintenance for swimming pools is chlorine treatment. Add chlorine to your pool in the fall when you’re ready to close it and again in the spring when you open it back up. Getting the right amount of chlorine can be tricky, as too much risks bleaching your liner but too little can allow some algae growth. Fortunately, you can count on our technicians at Backyard Paradise and Restoration to help you get the right chlorine balance for your swimming pool. A healthy amount of chlorine will keep your pool looking great all winter and make sure it’s open for swimming as soon as possible come spring.
If you want further advice about winter maintenance for swimming pools, you can consult with our experts at Backyard Paradise and Restoration. We’ll help you keep your pool in great shape all year round.