Six steps to winterizing a swimming pool

When most people think of winter, their pool is not the first thing that comes to mind. However, knowing how to winterize your swimming pool is one of the most important things that you can do – although you won’t be using it as much during the colder weather, failing to winterize it properly can result in costly repairs when it is time to reopen the for swimming in the spring.

So how do I winterize a swimming pool? Although there are some differences in the winterizing process for an inground as compared to an above ground model, the process is basically the same:

1.Clean any loose or floating debris. You don’t want to preserve the leaves and tree branches from this summer – get those out of the way before you go any further.
2.Balance the chemistry of the water. About a week before you think it may be time to stop swimming, test the water and make the appropriate adjustments to keep the pH, chlorine, and calcium levels in the safe range.
3.Shock. You can buy winter algaecide at a local chemical supply store, but it won’t work if the pool chemistry is unbalanced.
4.Lower the water level. This does not mean drain the pool! Although draining it is one way to prepare for the winter, the average home owner should not attempt this task on their own. Hire a licensed, insured, local firm if you decide to pursue this route. Otherwise, simply drain enough water to get the water level below the mouth of the skimmer – this will keep water out of the other equipment and components while leaving enough water to support the cover.
5.Drain essential components including the pump, filtration system, and heating system if it is separate from the filtration system. Depending on your confidence in your abilities, you may want to consult a professional for this step – any water that remains in the pipes will expand when the temperatures are freezing, potential breaking pipes or other sensitive components.
6.Securely cover your pool with some type of cover, using pillows if necessary.

While it may seem like a tedious undertaking, you will be very happy you winterized your pool carefully when the weather gets warmer! If it’s too much for you to handle, contact a professional in your area before it gets cold – they book up quickly when the temperature drops!

Author Bio:

If you need advice on swimming pool maintenance in the greater New Orleans area, call Pleasure Aquatech Pools today. As the largest locally-owned pool company in New Orleans, we have local knowledge and years of experience you can depend on for all of your pool-related needs.