With the temperature decreasing, the leaves start falling, and pool owners have a tough job winterizing the pool to guard it from the harsh winter elements. An adequately winterized pool will stay in good condition, and re-opening will be smooth and hassle-free. This blog will guide you through the steps necessary to winterize your backyard pool. We’ll cover everything from cleaning to chemical adjustments to maintenance.
Why Winterizing Your Pool is Important
Winterizing your pool is necessary to protect your pool investment and prevent expensive repairs. Improper winter care can damage the pool’s plumbing, filtration system, and surfaces if freezing temperatures hit. Debris can also pile up over the winter, and when you go to open your pool, you’ll have stains, algae growth, and everything else.
When you winterize, you protect the structure of your pool and its equipment and make it easier to begin using your pool again in the warm weather.
Step 1: Clean the Pool Thoroughly
The first and most important step in winterizing a pool is to clean it thoroughly. Remove any leaves, twigs, or debris from the pool’s surface. Chop off large pieces with a skimmer or net, as the fish keep the water as clean as possible. Then, vacuum the pool to remove any smaller particles that might have collected at the bottom.
If you own a pool cleaner, now is the time to use it. A reliable pool cleaner will guarantee the pool will get a consistent clean and debris removed from the pool efficiently so as not to build up and help with staining or the beginning of algae over the winter. Even if you want to run your pool cleaner periodically during the winter months, the best pool cleaner models will also aid in keeping up the cleanliness level at more consistent levels.
If you have vacuumed, you must then brush the pool walls and floor to loosen dirt and algae that may have become stuck to surfaces. This will help clean out any remaining organic matter, which can be problematic down the road.
Step 2: Balance the Pool Water Chemistry
Before closing your pool for the season, it’s important to balance the water chemistry. Properly balanced water helps prevent corrosion, scaling, and algae growth during the winter months. Follow these steps to ensure your water is in the best possible shape:
- Test the Water: Use a pool water testing kit to measure the levels of chlorine, pH, alkalinity, calcium hardness, and stabilizer (cyanuric acid).
- Adjust the pH and Alkalinity: The ideal pH range for pool water is between 7.4 and 7.6. If the pH is too high or low, add pH increaser or decreaser to adjust it. The total alkalinity should fall within the range of 80-120 ppm (parts per million).
- Check the Calcium Hardness: Calcium hardness should be between 200-400 ppm. If it’s too low, add a calcium hardness increaser to prevent corrosion of pool surfaces and equipment.
- Shock the Pool: Shocking the pool before closing helps remove contaminants, bacteria, and organic matter. Use a pool shock treatment with a high dose of chlorine to sanitize the water.
After adjusting the chemicals, run the pool’s filtration system for at least 24 hours to allow the chemicals to circulate and stabilize.
Step 3: Lower the Water Level
After cleaning and balancing the water, the next step is to lower the water level. This is especially important if you live in an area with freezing temperatures. Lowering the water level helps prevent damage to the pool’s plumbing during the winter months. The water level should be about 4 to 6 inches below the skimmer or tile line. If your pool is equipped with a winter cover, be sure to check the manufacturer’s recommendations for the correct water level.
If you have a vinyl-lined pool, be sure to drain the pool water carefully to avoid creating an imbalance in the liner. In some cases, it’s best to use a pump or drain valve to control the water level reduction.
Step 4: Clean and Store the Pool Equipment
Before you store your pool equipment for the winter, you should take good care of it. That means the pump, filter, heater, and accessories that you use. To begin, turn off the power to the pool equipment and disconnect the pump and filter system. Clean the skimmer and pump baskets and any other removable parts to remove dirt and debris.
Make sure you winterize the pool filter according to the manufacturer’s instructions. You may have to remove and clean the filter cartridges, backwash the sand filter, or drain the filter tank. If your pool filter is a DE (diatomaceous earth) one, make sure you clean it out thoroughly and replace the DE powder when you open the pool back up.
If you have a pool cleaner, make sure you thoroughly clean it and store it in a dry, cool place. Of course, the best pool cleaner models are going to be the models that stand the test of time, but regular maintenance and proper storage will help your model keep on trucking when it comes to the next pool season.
Step 5: Blow Out the Pool Lines
Blowing out the lines prevents water from freezing inside your pool’s plumbing. This step is especially important in a cold climate where freezing temperatures are an issue. First, begin using an air compressor or a specific pool line blower to blow air through the pool’s return and suction lines, as well as the skimmer and drain lines.
Clear the lines and seal off the returns and skimmers with winterizing plugs so debris and dirt won’t enter your pipes. It will help the pipes stay unharmed during the winter months.
Step 6: Cover the Pool
Lastly, lay a winter cover over your pool. An in-ground pool winter cover helps keep debris from falling into your pool, reduce algae, and preserve the overall stability of the pool’s water chemistry. Mesh covers, solid covers, and automatic covers are among the different types of pool covers. What’s the best pool cover for your pool? It all depends on where you live, how big your pool is, and how much you want to look after it through the winter.
Ensure the cover is tight so wind and debris don’t get underneath. Periodically check the cover to ensure it’s still intact, and watch if no extra water or debris is building up on the top.
Step 7: Regular Winter Maintenance
While it is winterized, it should be checked periodically. Push out any leaves, twigs, or debris that build up on the cover. However, if the cover sags under the weight of water, you may have to pump it out. If you live in a milder climate, you may also want to check the water chemistry to make sure everything is in balance.
Conclusion: Ready for Spring!
Winterizing your pool is an essential task that will protect your investment and ensure your pool is ready for use when the warm weather returns. By following these steps, you can rest easy knowing that your pool is safe from winter damage and that you’re setting yourself up for a hassle-free pool opening in the spring. Don’t forget to maintain your pool cleaner and other equipment, as proper maintenance is key to extending their lifespan. When done correctly, winterization makes reopening your pool a breeze, and you’ll be ready to dive back in as soon as the weather warms up!
