Prepping Your Pool for Winter

Posted by Rob A on September 16th, 2019

The colder weather seasons are fast approaching, which means it is time to start prepping your pool for winter. Here are some tips to keep in mind.

Clean

It is important to clean the water in the pool to remove any debris or algae that could be starting to form. You should clean the pool itself as well as removing any sediment or build up in the skimmer, pump basket, or filters. Removing leaves is especially important because they can stain the materials or be difficult to remove and cause other bacteria to grow. Backwashing the filter can be a great way to clean out this important system before winter approaches.

It is important to balance the water and add any necessary additives. Algae prevention chemicals, phosphate removing tonics, and nontoxic pool antifreeze liquids can all be helpful to protect the water’s integrity during the dormant months. A pool cover is a great investment and will save your pool from debris and save you time from having to clean it during the winter and autumn.

Repair

Now is a great time to address any structural or repair issues that may have occurred over the summer. You should work with a local company that provides swimming pool leak repair in Sacramento, CA, to fix any leaks and prevent further damage.

Checking the chlorination cell in the pump for calcium build up is a good idea and so is emptying the lines if you live in a colder climate.

Prepare

Most experts agree that you should not empty your pool. Leaving water in the pool will help maintain the integrity of the structural materials and put less strain on the equipment as well. A helpful suggestion is to run the pool systems about four hours a day and check the water chemistry every two weeks during the dormant months. If you live in colder climate where freezing can occur you should work with a professional to see what they would recommend as the best care steps to take for your system including pipes and other elements.

While you may be able to do some of the cold weather prep yourself, it can be a very good idea to work with a professional, especially if this is your first year winterizing your pool. Working with an expert now will help ensure that you don’t have to hire a company to handle swimming pool leak repair in Sacramento CA later and when the mercury rises again next year your pool will be ready for use.