24 Jan Winter Maintenance Tips for Pool Owners
Every pool owner knows that when swimming season is over, the pool will still need maintenance! Here are a few winter tips to help your pool survive colder weather.
Remove unused equipment and find somewhere sheltered to store them, such as a shed, garage, or basement. Leaving accessories out, like ladders, pool toys, skimmer baskets, wall fittings, and cleaners, can result in their damage or destruction, which can possibly harm the pool itself.
Make sure everything you store is dry and clean, or you may be punishing your future self with mold and mildew everywhere.
Timed Filtering Systems can be run overnight instead of during the day in milder winter climates where pools typically do not need to be drained. By running the filtering system while the temperature drops, you can protect the equipment from freezing.
In some areas, pool owners can save money on energy costs with the schedule change. During off peak hours, some electricity providers reduce their rates. It’s nice to be able to save money on recreational equipment you can’t even use!
Calculating how long to run the filter system is easy. Just divide the water temperature by ten. This will tell you how many hours your system should run (example: pool water at 55 degrees Fahrenheit should be filtered for five and a half hours). Using this system will save you hours of filtration over the season.
Careful landscaping of the pool’s location can be a preventative pool maintenance measure. Take a look up and around your pool. If you see any branches that seem less than sturdy, you may want to consider removing them before winter storms knock them down.
Keep in mind that many trees are tall enough so that their leaves and branches don’t always fall straight down to their roots. Falling debris can be blown right into your pool even if the tree is some distance away.
Keep an eye on your pool all winter to make sure any damage or problems don’t become catastrophes. High water levels and sinking pool covers are signs to watch for. You’ll want to suction off any water on top of your pool cover to reduce the weight load and keep your cover in tip-top shape.
If there is ice on top, be patient and let it melt. Breaking the ice up will create sharp edges, which can tear through your pool cover.
Consider investing in a leaf net to protect your pool cover from the build up of autumn leaves. They may seem lightweight but as anyone who has spent a good amount of time raking can tell you, that weight adds up quickly.
The easiest way to reopen your pool is to take good care of it all winter long. Even if you are lucky enough not to have any substantial damage or equipment failure, neglect can make your spring pool opening much more difficult than it should be, so do yourself (and your pool) a favor!
Disclaimer: By all means, this article is not a complete guide for winter pool care. Be sure to research your specific pool, and look into the available pool services and technology in your area.