Winter can be a difficult time for pool owners. Reducing pool maintenance may be a benefit of covering your pool, but severe winter weather and the risk of serious pool problems can be stressful for most homeowners. The most common problems in winter are:
Cover Failure
Covers Are Winterproof and Pool Safety Covers are very important to protect your pool during the winter months. They help keep the water healthy by keeping trash out of your pool. However, if the cap breaks, you will have a huge mess to clean the spring.
Cover failure will occur if the cover is damaged due to aging, wear, or if a tree branch falls on the cover. Tears and tears not only allow waste to pass through, but also allow sunlight in, which can encourage the growth of algae. Here are some tips on how to prevent and solve pool problems this winter:
- That’s using a cover this winter! As soon as you notice snow melting or rain coming from your cover, remove excess water using the cover pump. The faster you remove water, the better. Additionally, mesh pages are another great way to reduce the height of your cover. Leaf webs capture leaves, twigs, and other large, lightweight debris before they fall to the winter or climatic cover. You don’t need to use a brush or colander to remove residue; just peel off the leaves, shake off any debris, and reattach.
- Repair of Tears and Holes: Rips and holes can occur in hatch covers due to falling debris, curious animals, and wear and tear with age. Time is of the essence when analyzing tears to prevent excess debris from falling into the lake. A week or two before closing the pool, remove the cover and carefully inspect it for damage. If you see small tears, use masking tape to repair them. Make sure the patch has had enough time to seal properly before placing the cover on your pool.
Freezing Damage
Freezing temperatures can damage your swimming pool. Water expands when it freezes and can cause serious problems if there is still water in the pipes or equipment. High pressure can cause pipes to burst and damage equipment, leading to expensive repairs. Follow these tips to protect your pool and equipment from freezing damage:
- Turn off all water lines: To prevent damage to your pool in the winter, make sure all lines and strainers are completely broken and unclogged. Prevents water accumulation and backflow. Use skimmer guards on skimmers to reduce stress from spreading ice.
- Draining Equipment: One of the easiest steps to winterizing your pool is to unplug the skimmer. Pool equipment. As long as the water has somewhere to go and is not trapped in a confined space, no damage will occur. Some types of equipment have more than one plug; so make sure you remove them all. You can store the plugs in the pump strainer package to keep them safe until spring.
- Using an Airbag: If you have an above ground pool, having an airbag is a must to freeze your pool. The air cushion is located at the bottom of the swimming pool and helps prevent the water from freezing and the pool walls from shrinking. Just make sure the bed isn’t full when you put it on your bed. The extra space allows the pillow to absorb more water.
Algae Growth
Even if your pond survives the winter, it’s important to test the water quality to make sure you have enough antibiotics to stop the growth. When spring comes, opening an ice-filled, ice-resistant moss pool will be time-consuming and expensive! Follow these tips to keep your pool water healthy this winter:
- Use a good phosphorus solution and winter algaecide during shutdown to help prevent algae.
- Look at the bottom of the pool Check for signs of algae and debris at least once a month. Check your pool weekly to see if the temperature is between 60°F – 70°F. If temperatures are below 60°F, try watering once a month. When your pool freezes, leave it alone.
- If your free chlorine is in the range of 1 – 4 ppm, you can use free chlorine to help your existing chlorine this winter. If there is no chlorine in the pool, add enough chlorine or chlorine to bring the concentration into range. Do not over-chlorinate the pool this winter.
- When the pool is closed, be sure to use a pool brush or skimmer net to circulate the water and disperse chemicals. Otherwise, the pool will be damaged.
- If you see debris in your pool, scrape it off and repair any tears in the cover that allowed debris to get in. This will help extend the life of the chlorine.
Hidden Leak
A winter pool leak, no matter how small, can quickly turn into a headache if left untreated or repaired. Falling water can put pressure on your pool and cause it to crack or break completely. It’s only a question.
The easiest way to prevent damage is to check under cover and check your pool water at least once a month. If you suspect a leak, preserve pool water by refilling the pool as needed until the leak is fixed.
Solving the problems that arise first with a pool maintenance services company and following the recommendations will help your pool run smoothly and efficiently this winter. This will save you time and money on repairs and ensure your pool is ready for use as soon as the weather gets warmer!
