How to Prepare Your Home Swimming Pool for the Winter Season

Not a lot of people use their home swimming pool all year round. Most people choose to close it down for the winter season. So, when you are deciding to keep your swimming bathers away, you have to make sure that you are taking proper measures. This way, during the hibernation period, your swimming pool won’t get damaged.

It is important to note that closing your swimming pool will be time-consuming. But if you do your research and take due care, you won’t have to work as hard while opening it. Read on to learn how you can prepare your home swimming pool for the winter season.

1. Decide the type of winterizing you want

There are two types of winterizing you should know about:

• Passive winterizing – This option is better suited for places where your pool might freeze during the winter. So, if the temperature drops under 5°C, you should opt for this. With this method, you have to drain the pool partially and cover it to prevent damage from the freeze.
• Active winterizing – It works best in places where the outside temperature is more than 5°C during the winter season, so your swimming pool won’t freeze. In this, you will have to keep your swimming pool filled. Every day, for at least two hours, you should run your filtration system. 

2. Clean the pool

Before you close the pool, you have to clean it thoroughly. This means taking out any leaves or debris out of the water. Next, you have to scrub the swimming pool and get rid of algae. Closing your swimming pool is also a great time for cleaning your water line.

3. Test the water and add chemicals

Once you have cleaned the pool, use a pool test kit for ensuring that your water is balanced, meaning that you have to check the mineral, alkalinity, and pH levels. The chlorine levels in your pool water must be under five parts per million. The alkalinity level should be in the range of 100 and 150 parts. Keep the pH levels between 7.2 and 7.8. By doing this, you will be able to protect your pool from corrosion and scale buildup during the winter season. 

After this, you have to add some chemicals to your pool to protect it from algae. Start by using an algaecide as it will ensure that your swimming pool won’t turn into an algae pond. In the case of a porous pool cover, you should add doses of the chemical. You will only need one dose in the case of a high-quality, impermeable swimming pool cover.

Next, move on to pool enzymes. It is important to note that even though they are not a requirement for your pool, adding them would help fight against any pool intruders, like spores and algae. When you are medicating your pool, a winter pill is a great option. As soon as it is dissolved in the water, your pool will be sanitized and clarified for the winter season. 

If your pool water has metal in it, you will have to add a metal sequestrant. Without it, the metal will stick to your pool’s edges and rust it. Once you have added the chemical, it will suspend in the water and ensure that there are no damages to your perth fibreglass pool.

In the case of in-ground pools, having an antifreeze is important as it will ensure that your pipes won’t freeze and burst. You can drain the pipes. But, for added safety, you can use an antifreeze that has the right temperature rating for your climate.

4. Shock the pool

Pool shocking refers to adding chlorine megadose that will kill any contaminants and bacteria present in your swimming pool. Shock treatment is used by pool owners for sanitizing the water after contamination or heavy use. Before you shut it down, you should shock the pool. It will prevent the spread of harmful bacteria and algae. You should do it two to three days before shutting the pool down. This way, your pool water will be able to get back to the normal chlorine levels.

5. Winterize the plumbing

By winterizing the plumbing, you won’t have to worry about your pipes freezing and bursting during the winter season. By using a shop vacuum, you can blow air directly into the skimmer pipe. Use the vacuum for the equipment as well before you use the expansion plugs for securing the pipes. Put some styrofoam or a plastic bottle in the skimmer to ensure that it isn’t damaged because of freezing.

6. Take care of the equipment

After circulating the chemicals and draining the top level down, you have to drain the water from your pump, heater, and filter. Every single one of these should have a drain plug that lets the water out. This way, it won’t freeze and damage. All the drain plugs should be kept in the pre-filter basket so that they remain safe.

Clean your summer cover thoroughly using fresh water. You can use a pressure washer, but make sure that it isn’t too intense, especially if the cover is too old. Pack it away safely. Use a winter cover on your swimming pool so that your leaves remain out of your pool. The tension should be tight and not be dangling in the water. After a couple of days, you might have to re-tension it. It is important to note that you shouldn’t consider normal winter covers as safety covers. If your children or pets walk on the cover, they might end up in the water. 

In Conclusion

By following the above-mentioned steps, you will be able to winterize your swimming pool. It is an easy process and the investment you make at this point will be worth it. For those who don’t have enough time to do this, it is best to contact a professional who can winterize their swimming pool. Remember that winterizing your pool is something that shouldn’t be overlooked. Regardless of the season, it is crucial to protect your pool.

Sponsored post by Barrier Reef Pools