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
in Maintenance
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Every fall, after a summer of poolside fun, it happens—you begin to think about closing your pool for the winter. But, while you know it takes more than just throwing on the winter cover, you may not remember every step in the process. To help you protect your pool—and make sure it’s ready to go as soon as the warm weather returns, Paul Kurke, training manager for Arch Chemicals, answers some common questions about pool winterization.
Q: When is the best time to close your pool?
A: Even in cooler climates, many warm sunny days remain through the fall months. If the water is still warm, I would suggest that you enjoy your pool for as long as you can, even if that’s into October. There is not really a specific outdoor temperature that marks the limit for when you should close your pool. As long as the water isn’t frozen, you can close your pool.
Q: Is it possible to close your pool too early?
A: Yes. If you close your pool too soon, the water’s winter protection chemicals will often fail towards spring, which will cause algae blooms and can result in organic stains. This will extend your clean-up time and also raise operating costs. If you’re closing your pool down in August, you’re asking your winterizing chemicals to do too much. The water is still fairly warm at that time and, as a result, algae will begin to grow and the chemicals won’t last through the winter and into early spring.
Q: How does pool water need to be treated before you close your pool?
A: First, take a sample of it to your professional Arch dealer for a thorough water analysis. Always balance the water and add the winter maintenance chemicals that he or she prescribes. Those chemicals will depend on your maintenance system. If your pool does not experience a hard freeze, you can lift the corner of the cover and periodically test the water yourself to make sure the sanitizer level is being maintained. This practice will make opening up the pool a lot easier in the spring.
Q: How should you prepare pool equipment for the winter?
A: You need to chemically clean the filter, drain the pump, shut off the gas feed to the heater, remove the light, clean out the skimmer, blow the return lines out and finally, cover the pool. These processes can get pretty complicated, so you will want to refer to our downloadable checklist to make sure you’re doing things properly. Always refer to the manufacturer’s directions when winterizing equipment.
Q: What could happen if you don’t close your pool correctly—or don’t close it all?
A: If you fail to follow these closing procedures, you can allow for trapped water to freeze. And when freezing water expands, it will break anything it’s trapped in. Make sure you check the owner’s manuals for the pump, filter and heater, etc., to learn the recommended procedures.
For example, if you don’t drain your pool heater properly, the heat exchanger will freeze and break. By the time you replace the copper exchanger, including parts and labor, you’re better off buying a new heater. The cost can be anywhere from $1,700 to $2,400 for just that one item.
Q: Where can you turn for help when closing your pool?
A: Winterizing a pool in northern climates is a complex procedure, especially for pool owners who haven’t done it before. If you feel uncomfortable with any of the tasks outlined here, your professional Arch dealer can arrange to close your pool for you.
