November 2011
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Changing Your Hot Tub Water in 4 Simple Steps
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How to Choose the Right In-ground Pool for You
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For pool owners who live in a climate with real seasons, the fall pool closing is an annual ritual. Though it can be somewhat time consuming, this seasonal shutdown is an extremely important process. Done correctly, it will protect the integrity of your pool’s water and infrastructure, allowing you to use the pool almost immediately after you uncover it the following year. Done incorrectly, it can leave you with a sizeable spring-cleaning project or, even worse, permanent damage to your pool.
When to close your pool
Because climates vary greatly, pool owners in different parts of the country will naturally close their pools at different times. But closing your pool has less to do with time than it does with temperature—specifically water temperature, says Brent Thornton, president and CEO of Atlantic Pools and Spas in Columbia, Tenn.
“The mistake many new owners make is they close their pool once they stop using it, which is usually when the kids go back to school in August,” Thornton says. “But that’s too early because the water will be too hot.”
Most people think they’re saving money when they close their pool early, but in reality, they could end up spending hundreds of dollars trying to clean up a serious algae problem come spring, Thornton says. Algae grow when water warms above 55 degrees F, so it’s important to wait for the water temperature to drop below that before closing your pool.
“When you put a cover on a pool, it holds the heat in,” he says. “If you close the pool when the water temperature is above 55 degrees, you run the risk of opening a pool full of green water in the spring.”
How to properly close your pool
Closing your pool isn’t as simple as throwing on a cover and waiting patiently for winter to pass. If you live in a climate with cold winters, take note that water expands when it freezes. If your water levels are too high, it can cause significant damage to your pool. “However, you should never completely drain your pool,” says Shirley Rawdon, owner of By-Pass Pools, which has three Tennessee locations in Columbia, Lawrenceburg and Lewisburg. Appropriate winter water levels are determined by your specific pool type and plumbing system, so check with your dealer to see how high your water should be.
Though it takes time to clean and close your pool for the season, you’ll be rewarded for a job well done when you re-open it in the spring.
Here are five simple steps for closing your pool the right way:
1. Good housekeeping. Don’t put your pool to bed without cleaning out the debris.
“If you close your pool with debris in it, you’ll open it months later to find swamp water,” Rawdon says.
There are a number of pool cleaning products on the market—including automatic in-ground pool cleaners, vacuums, mesh covers and leaf nets—that can remove debris and clean the sides and bottom of your pool. Here’s the rule of thumb: If you properly cover a clean pool in the fall, you’ll uncover a clean pool in the spring.
2. Balance your water. “Even though you’ve closed your pool for the season, you still have to put enough chemicals in it to protect the water for the duration of the closure,” Rawdon says. A winterizing kit will help, though additional products, such as algaecide, might be necessary if you have a large pool.
Balancing your water chemistry is one of the most important steps in the pool closing process, so don’t skimp on products. Choosing products based solely on cost may leave your pool at risk over the long haul.
“Buying cheaper isn’t the best solution,” Rawdon says. “Quality pool maintenance products will better protect your pool through the colder seasons.”
3. Blow out the water from your lines. Although pool companies use much stronger blowers, a good Shop-Vac can help blow water out of your plumbing lines, Thornton says. Once the lines are free of water, everything needs to be plugged to keep water out of the system.
4. Drain and clean equipment. “Drain the filters and pump, but don’t replace the drain plugs until spring,” Thornton says. “Then seal the skimmer’s suction line with a Gizzmo®.” Remove and clean any rafts, ropes, baskets, diving boards, and ladders, and store them along with the filters and pump.
5. Cover it up. Fasten the cover over the pool surface.
By the time spring rolls around, most people can’t wait to take that first dip in the pool. Removing debris, balancing your water chemistry and closing your pool at the right time will ensure that you uncover clear, sparkling water at the start of the season.
