Don’t Forget to Do These 5 Things Before You Close Your Pool This Winter

Now that fall has officially arrived, it’s time to get your pool ready for the colder months ahead. While the end of swimming season can be bittersweet, taking the right steps to prep your pool can help keep it safe and clean over the winter, thereby ensuring an easier opening process in the spring—which means you’ll be swimming as soon as possible when the weather warms up again!

Here are 5 key things to do before you close your pool this winter:

• Remove all accessories. Start by removing any toys, pool floats, ladders, skimmer baskets and other accessories from the water. Clean these items of any dirt or algae, and then dry and store them in a safe place for winter.
• Clean the pool thoroughly. Any dirt, leaves, and other debris remaining in the water may stain the pool and trigger algae growth, so it’s essential to deep clean the pool by skimming, brushing, and vacuuming before closing it.
• Balance the water chemistry. Test the water to ensure that pH levels are between 7.2 and 7.6, chlorine is between 1-3 parts per million (ppm), alkalinity is 80-150 ppm, and calcium hardness is 175-225 ppm. After balancing the water chemistry, you will need to add shock and algaecide a few days before closing the pool in order to stave off bacteria and algae growth while it is closed.
• Lower the water level. Since water expands when it freezes, it’s important to lower the water level in your pool to at least six inches below the skimmer.
• Drain the equipment. As temperatures fall below freezing, any water left in the pool equipment may expand and cause damage. Therefore, it’s important to drain each filter, pump, and heater and use a blower to clear water from the pool lines.

Once you’ve completed these essential steps, it’s time to cover your pool! Winterizing your pool is one of the most important maintenance tasks you’ll do all year, as it can prevent costly damage and pave the way for an easy opening in the spring. If you’d like assistance with this process, the experts at Aqua Pool & Patio will blow out your pool’s plumbing lines, winterize the heater, filter, and pumps, and add products to keep the pool in sound condition throughout the season. Call us today at 860-623-9886!