Winterizing Pool: Preparing Your Swimming Pool For Winters
With sunny days fading and turning a bit colder, it’s the time of the year when homeowners start preparing their swimming pool for winters. Winterizing helps you in doing that, and it is not rocket science! Let’s uncover all the secrets of keeping pools ready for winters, starting with the term understanding ‘winterizing’.
Winterizing your pool is a process of minimizing the risk of contamination and cold weather damage to the overall functioning and sensitive components of the swimming pool. Homeowners should take this measure before the winter season starts. By doing this, you make sure your pool will be safe and ready to dive when the weather starts to warm up.
When do We Winterize the Swimming Pool?
Well, the simple answer is – it depends on where you live and when do temperature starts to fall since temperatures vary in different parts of the country. However, as a thumb rule, you can start preparing for it as soon as there is a drop in the temperatures typically below 65°F (18°C). The idea is to take advantage of the warm period to test and balance the water. It helps keep the water clean until spring returns.
You regularly take care of it as part of the pool maintenance exercise, but during winters, your pool is often unused, and hence it is better if we keep it covered. Failure to do so may invite lots of rigmarole ahead of spring.
How to Winterize an Inground Pool?
Start with arranging all pool closing essentials such as a winterizing chemical kit, pH and alkalinity increaser, pool cover, etc. Once everything is in place, take the following steps:
Winterizing Chemicals Includes – pH increaser, Alkalinity increaser, Pool shock, Algaecide, Calcium hardness increaser, pool skimmer cover, inground pool winter cover, swimming pool antifreeze (if required), and a pool air pillow (recommended).
Your goal is to maintain a pH level somewhere between 7.4 and 7.6 and alkalinity of around 100 parts per million (ppm) to 150 ppm. Generally, 125 ppm is considered ideal.
Ensure the hardness of calcium is between 175 ppm to 225 ppm, and the chlorine level is between 1 ppm to 3 ppm. It is advisable to use a different sanitizer to ensure there are proper levels for whatever chemical you are using. Because you would not be adjusting the water balance any time during winters (which is the offseason) and, hence, it’s better to maintain it slightly on the high-side of the average ranges.
It is because when you close the pool, the levels will naturally decrease over time. Adding the chemicals before winter prevents algae, breaks down bacteria, and keeps your swimming pool clean and fresh for the next season. It means you do not have to work a lot when spring arrives.
Balanced water is crucial for the well-being of the pool, as it is less likely to cause any damage to the pool liner and other main components. Failure to do so may cause added costs and increased maintenance.
Here are The Top 5 Pool Care Tips for Winter Season:
Adjust the Alkalinity
You should adjust the alkalinity. It is the measure of carbonates, hydroxides, bicarbonates, and other alkaline substances present in water.
Ensure the pH is Perfect
The water should not be acidic. If it is, then add a base to lower it. If it is too basic, then you should add a pH increaser to bring it back into proper balance.
Switch the Setting to Winter (For Salt Water Pool)
If your swimming pool uses a saltwater system, then this is the time to switch the setting of the chlorine generator to winter. If your swimming pool doesn’t have functionality, then it would have a removable electrolytic cell that you can access by unscrewing its end caps. You can remove the electrolytic cell or the entire salt system if you like and keep it inside for the winter period.
Maintain the Water Balance
Check the water balance before you head to the final steps of covering it for the winter season. You may also want to use antifreeze chemicals if you experience extreme winters.
Cover the Pool
Invest in a good quality pool cover that can last for a considerably long period. Avoid buying a low-quality cheap cover as all your hard work may go in vain if it tears off.
Now that you understand the fundamentals of maintaining your pool during winters, you should start preparing for it. In case you are confused or have never done it on your own before, then you can hire an experienced swimming pool builders. Because protecting the swimming pool from winter damage, is crucial.
If you want to continue enjoying your open pool in winter rather than covering it, then check these ways to do it.
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