Another swimming pool season has ended here in the North. Most of us have closed are pool and will not think about them again until the Spring when we start to think about opening them again. One thing that tends to wreak more havoc on swimming pools than little kids and their floaters is the drastic temperature changes that occur throughout the Winter months. Here you will find some things to consider during the Winter to help you stay ahead of the game to create a trouble-free opening and swimming season when we see the sun again.
Your pool motor is the first place we will begin. During the winter the pool motor does not have to run all day at full power. The motor cycle can be turned down to anywhere between three to five hours a day throughout the Winter. The best time to do run the motor is during the early morning hours when temperatures are at their coldest to keep water moving through the pipes. This will help to prevent any standing water left in the pipe from freezing and will also keep pump seals from going bad. A good time to run the motor is between two and eight in the morning.
If your pool has a salt chlorination generator it is best to remove the cell and replace it will a blank cell. The cold water will not allow it to produce chlorine. Once this is done take the cell that was in the generator and thoroughly clean it making sure it is in prime condition to re-install during the next swimming season. To keep the pool at the correct chlorination throughout the Winter season you can add chlorine via a pool floater. This will help expand the longevity of the generator as well as it is not trying to produce chlorine throughout the long, cold season.
When you are closing your pool for the Winter season it is the perfect time to change and replace the water in the pool. The water may still appear clean and clear but still has all of the ingredients to mix together a good batch of residue, algae and bacteria. It is easier to drain and refill the pool than dumping in lots of expensive chemicals trying to improve the pool water quality.
Cleaning the calcium off pool plaster and pool tile is best done as you are closing the pool for the season as well. When the pool is drained or partially drained it is easy to access the interior of the pool. The pool plastering should be cleaned for sure if you are completely draining the pool anyway. You will be killing two birds with one stone.
Hiring a professional to maintain your pool and the pools plaster is just as important in the winter as in the summer especially if you know you will not make time to do it yourself. The little bit extra you will pay for professional services will save you a ton of money and headaches come Spring when you start to think about opening the pool again.