Swimming pools are a fantastic remedy for beating hot, sunny weather and having fun. However, some homeowners don’t understand the importance of preparing their swimming pools for winter, especially when they live through frigid winter temperatures. So, winterizing their swimming pools ensures that pool functionality remains high without worrying about damage.

Winterization can prevent damage to your pool, from the pool pumps to the filtration system. As the weather begins to cool down, let’s review swimming pool winterization tips and how they can impact the quality of your pool. When the temperatures rise again, you won’t have to worry about paying hefty fines for pool repairs and part replacements.

Reasons To Winterize Your Swimming Pool

While it may not seem like a big deal to prepare your pool for the winter, there are many reasons why you should. Many homeowners assume that if they drain the pool and cover it, they won’t have any problems. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Pool & Functionality Damages

Without proper pool winterization, you can run into catastrophic pool damage. Failing to close your in-ground pool properly can damage pool plumbing, such as burst pipes and broken motors. It can become an expensive fix that you could’ve easily avoided. Additionally, you can also experience filter and heater damage.

Homeowners rely on their heating systems to keep swimming pools at tolerable, comfortable temperatures. However, without the proper swimming pool winterization preparation, it can cause significant damage to a pool heating system. Damages such as cracked housing, broken sensors, and PVC plumbing can become expensive repairs, so ensure that you remove drain plugs, disconnect inlets and outlets, and blow excess moisture out of the pipes.

Saves You Money

While the thought of keeping your pool open all year long feels enticing, it may not be a wise financial decision. Keeping your home warm during the winter can become costly, but costs can increase significantly if you keep your pool warm throughout the cold months. For example, keeping your pool at 70 degrees Fahrenheit or higher can run up your gas expenses.

Moreover, you’ll have to consider flash freezes that constantly increase the temperature. With constant heating throughout the entire winter, you also can run into other issues, such as heating systems breaking and resulting in your pool freezing. So, it’s crucial that you consider winterization versus running it all year long.

Prolongs Pool Lifespan

It’s no secret that proper winter preparation for your pool can help prolong its lifespan. Lower water levels, balancing chemicals, deep cleaning, and protective coverings can significantly affect your pool quality. When you try to winterize your swimming pool, you won’t have to worry about constant repairs or replacements in the future.

Steps for Winterizing Your Swimming Pool

Now that you know more about the importance of swimming pool winter preparation, let’s go over the steps to make it last through the colder months. You can rest easy knowing that your pool will be ready for the summer with few or no issues. Moreover, you’ll save yourself a considerable amount of work when it comes time for use.

Clean Out Your Swimming Pool

Before you start adding chemicals or adjusting water levels, it’s crucial that you first give your pool a deep cleaning. Make sure you have a pool brush to get the grime and gunk out of your pool. You’ll want to tackle the walls, flooring, corners, and challenging spots to push dirt out of trapped areas.

Foreign contaminants such as spores and algae can accumulate after months of continuous use. It can quickly change the color of your pool water from a clear blue to a murky green and even result in stains. After you’ve scrubbed your swimming pool, use a pool vacuum to remove the kicked-up debris.

Balance the Water Chemistry

Once your swimming pool is thoroughly cleaned, test the pH, alkalinity, and other mineral levels with a pool testing kit. Chemical balance is critical for preventing scale build-up and corrosion during the colder months. Chlorine levels should have five parts per million, while alkalinity should range between 100 to 150 parts per million.

A balanced chemical pH should fall between 7.2 and 7.8, which will help with pool protection. From there, you can add winter chemicals. Winter swimming pool chemicals will prevent algae accumulation, while antifreeze prevents pipes from bursting or freezing. So, ensure that your swimming pool water remains balanced and protected.

Decrease Water Levels

After you’ve added your pool chemicals, you can move forward with a final shock. A chlorine tablet will help exterminate any remaining bacteria left in the water. Applying it at night will allow for full effectiveness, and having the pump run alongside it will help chlorine circulation.

Once the chlorine tablets have adequately circulated, you can lower your pool’s water levels. It will prevent overflowing as the water begins to freeze. From there, you can move forward with cleaning the filters and blowing out the lines.

Clean Filters & Blow Out Lines

After rigorous cleaning and constant chemical adjusting, your pool filters are ready for deep cleaning. If filters sit without the proper cleaning before spring’s arrival, it can impact the quality of the filtration system. Take time to remove excess build-up and debris, along with having your lines blown out.

Blowing out your pool lines will require a professional, as a tiny mistake can lead to damage and temperature drops. However, if you feel confident or have prior experience, attach an air blower to your pool’s main drain, allowing the air to blow through the pipes. Afterward, use a rubber plug and antifreeze to keep water from entering the system.

Remove Accessories & Cover Your Pool

After all your effort, you can take out accessories and cover your pool. Pool accessories such as ladders, toys, steps, and rails must come out. Otherwise, they can develop rust and impact the chemicals in your pool. Properly store your pool accessories in a cool, dry place. Afterward, use a good-quality pool cover to protect it throughout the winter.

A reliable, dependable group of experts should install your swimming pool. At American Aqua Designs, our swimming pools, we can quickly install water slides and lazy rivers for commercial and residential properties. Want to improve the property value of your home while being the heat? Our fiberglass patio pools make the perfect solution for cooling off in the sun while transforming your backyard into an oasis. Contact us today if you have any questions regarding our swimming pools. We’ll gladly help you.