As the winter months approach, the useability of your pool starts to diminish. The colder it gets outside, the closer to winterizing your pool you should get. Before the winter sets in fully, it is important to winterize your pool to ensure it is in the best condition when you return to use it as it warms up outside.
One of the biggest struggles that pool owners have is knowing when to start winterizing the pool. Ideally, once the temperatures outside start to consistently hit 65 degrees Fahrenheit or less, it is time to start winterizing the pool.
If you start to winterize your pool too soon, you may find that warmer weather causes problems for the pool or resets your progress and if you attempt to winterize it too late, you may experience problems.
Check out these tips below to help you winterize your pool:
1. Remove Your Pool Accessories
You do not want to leave your pool accessories in the pool over the winter. You should remove them all and clean them. Once clean, dry them off before you store them. Storing any of your pool equipment wet can lead to mold or mildew growth.
2. Clean Your Pool
You will want to perform a deep clean on your pool to remove any and all dirt and debris from the pool itself. You should use a brush to clean the sides of the pool’s walls and then clean out the filter and pump.
Once this is done, you should then treat the pool with chemicals and find the correct balance of pH for the pool. Remember, it is okay if the pH is a little higher as the pH will decrease over the winter months.
3. Remove Some Water
You do not want to leave your pool filled to the brim over the winter, especially if the water tends to freeze where you live. You want to make sure the water is about a foot below the skimmer if you utilize a mesh cover and a half foot below the skimmer if you utilize a solid cover.
4. Shock the Pool
Now it is time for you to shock the pool and add in an algaecide to prevent any issues over the winter. Make sure you utilize products you are familiar with and follow your pool manufacturer’s recommendations for treatment.
5. Cover Your Pool
Now it is time to cover the pool with a fitted cover. You want the cover to fit the pool naturally and not be too big or too small. If you do utilize a safety cover, make sure that it is anchored down so it does not blow off or become dislodged from the pool.