(Personal note from Terry Duff) I’m proud to introduce to you a new writer here on the blog…his name is Matt Giovanisci. He’s the founder and creator of www.SwimUniversity.com. He knows his stuff and I’m confident you’ll enjoy his knowledge…
So now, on to these three tips to closing your swimming pool for the winter.
Closing or winterizing your swimming pool is very important, especially for the folks living places where it gets really cold. Last year in the northeast, we had the biggest snowfall in decades. Could you imagine not closing your pool for that? We have put together some important tips to use while closing your swimming pool for the upcoming seasons.
#1 – Use An Air Pillow (For Above Ground Pools)
Air pillows serve multiple purposes, but the most important purpose is the fact that they protect your pool from being damaged by ice expansion. In the winter when the water in your pool freezes, the ice expands and puts pressure on the walls of your pool. This could cause the walls to break (this has happened to my pool). By using an air pillow in the middle of your pool, the pillow absorbs the expansion of the ice, relieving the pressure off your pool walls.
#2 – Lower Your Pool Water
In today’s market there are skimmer plates that block the skimmer holes which allows you to keep your pool filled at normal level. These are very popular and I’m not really sure why. Lowering your pool water is actually a good thing. When you are constantly putting pool chemicals into your pool, you are building up your TDS (Total Dissolved Solids). Over time this can lead to problems. Adding more chemicals to fix problems over and over again can be a bad thing. However, in the summer we have splash-out and evaporation, so we are always topping off the pool with more water. This is slowly diluting the water, which is a good thing. So, a good time to add some fresh water is in the spring, and if your pool is already full because you used a skimmer plate, then you won’t be able to give your pool fresh water.
#3 – Make Sure Your Chemicals Are Balanced Before You Close
I know you are the perfect pool owner. You keep your chemicals in check all season long. You monitor your pH and alkalinity levels like a hawk. You always make sure your sanitizer levels are perfect, keeping your family and friends clean and safe. Because I know you are this way, then I don’t have to tell you to make sure it’s perfect just before you close the pool, right? You just want to make sure you pH isn’t low and your sanitizer level is good, even high. Low pH can be bad over the winter. Your pool water becomes stagnate acid that can eat away at your liner. Also, keeping your sanitation level perfect (or even slightly higher) is a great way to prevent algae from growing in your pool over the winter. No one wants to open up thier pool to a green mess in the spring.
Here a just a few tips to help you along your way to closing your swimming pool. Remember that closing your swimming pool is important and taking care of your pool throughout the season and following a tight closing regiment will allow you to open up a to a clear and clean pool in the spring time.
Matt Giovanisci
Matt Giovanisci is the founder and creator of Swim University. Matt has over 14 years of experience in the swimming pool and hot tub industry including retail, sales, service and marketing.
Matt Giovanisci is the founder and creator of Swim University. Matt has over 14 years of experience in the swimming pool and hot tub industry including retail, sales, service and marketing. Email Matt | Follow Matt On Twitter | Like Matt On Facebook
