It’s that time of year again – the leaves are falling, the air is getting colder, and that means it’s time to close your pool for the winter.
Preparing your fiberglass pool for the winter will protect your pool and equipment against damage, and will also ensure a smooth opening in the spring. It may seem like a daunting task, but with some basic preparation and planning you can get everything sorted in no time.
Here are 7 simple steps to help you prepare to close your pool for the winter, and be sure to check out our other winter services to help get you prepared for the colder months!
Determine if your pool needs to be closed
If you live in a warm enough climate, you might not need to close your pool. If you are unsure, you can contact your local water authority to see if there are any special considerations for your area.
That being said, even if you live in a warm area, there are many benefits to closing your pool for the winter. Closing your pool is an excellent way to save on utilities, avoid the risk of accidents, and extend the lifespan of your pool’s filtration and maintenance equipment.
If you live in a cold climate, closing your pool for the winter will also help to extend the lifespan of your pool’s plumbing, and make sure you don’t wait until it’s too late.
Skim your pool and test the water
Before you go about closing your pool, you should first skim your pool and test the water to ensure that it is in good shape. Take a sample of your pool water to your local water authority to have it tested.
This will give you a good idea of what the chlorine and pH levels are in your water. Ideally, you want the pH level to be between 7.2 and 7.6 and the chlorine level to be between 1 and 3 parts per million (ppm). If you see that your chlorine level is too low, add some to the water before you close the pool. It is also a good idea to skim your pool before closing it.
This will remove any debris that has accumulated over the season and will prevent it from accumulating again over the winter. If you have a saltwater pool, you will also want to drain some of the water out before closing.
Check your equipment and chlorination levels
Before closing your pool for the winter, take a moment to check your equipment and chlorination levels. This will help you to identify any potential problems before they become problems. It will also help you to know what repairs you might need to make before the next pool season begins.
If you live in a cold climate, you may want to disassemble some of your equipment to prevent it from freezing. If you have an automatic pool cleaner, you will want to try to keep it running until the water has completely frozen. If the cleaner stops running, it may freeze in the skimmer basket and you will have to pry it out when the weather warms up again.
Disassemble and clean your equipment
Before you close your pool you will want to disassemble as much of your equipment as possible. This will make cleaning it a little easier and will help to prevent it from rusting over the winter. It is also a good idea to remove your pool skimmer basket and net before you close the pool.
This will make it easier to clean the skimmer basket when you reopen your pool in the spring. If you have an automatic pool cleaner, you can slide a piece of plastic bag or a tarp into the skimmer basket to keep it out of the water. A cover will also work well for this purpose.
Add winter chemicals
Before you add winter chemicals to your pool, make sure you have completely cleaned your pool water. Once your water is clean, add a winter algaecide to inhibit algae growth in your pool.
If you have a saltwater pool, you will also want to add a winter clarifier. This will help to keep your water crystal clear during the off-season. You will also want to add a winter sanitizer to maintain your chlorine levels. This will help to kill any bacteria that might be present in your water.
If you are using a CYA (cyanuric acid) sanitizer, you should add a winterizing agent to prevent your CYA from breaking down over the winter.
Lay down a winter cover, tarp or mesh
If you live in a very cold climate, you may want to lay down a winter cover over your pool. This will help to insulate your water from the cold temperatures and will help to reduce the amount of snow that falls into your pool.
Be careful when choosing a winter cover – many winter covers are not strong enough to hold back the weight of a thick layer of snow. If you have a concrete pool, a tarp is a good option, or you can use a tarp or mesh to cover a vinyl liner pool. If you have a vinyl liner pool, you may want to put a mesh over your pool.
This will help to keep leaves and other debris out of your pool while it is closed. You can also use a mesh to clean the bottom of your pool.
Decide on the type of repairs you’ll make (if any)
Before you close your pool, you should make any necessary repairs. If there is something that needs to be fixed but you don’t have the money, know that it can wait until the spring. If your pool is cracked or leaking, however, you will want to repair it before the winter comes.
There are different ways to repair a cracked or leaking pool, so if you’ve gone through this process and find that your fiberglass pool requires repairs, our team has the knowledge and experience to take care of all your swimming pool needs. Contact us today to learn more about our services.
Conclusion
Closing your pool is a great way to extend the life of your pool equipment and save on pool maintenance costs.
Before you close your pool, make sure you have cleaned the water and added the appropriate winter chemicals. You should also ensure you have disassembled as much of your equipment as possible, laid down a winter cover or tarp, and decided on the type of repairs you’ll make (if any).
Finally, you can go about closing your pool by skimming your water and testing the chlorine levels, checking your equipment and chlorination levels, and disassembling and cleaning your equipment. We know this process can seem intimidating, and our team of professionals is here to help should you have any questions.
Contact us today!