Avoid Damage During Winter Storage
Winterizing and protecting your pool are the best ways to keep it safe during the winter and avoid damage to the cover, liner, and parts.
If you live in a climate where temperatures (and snowflakes) fall, consider the following tips to keep your pool as safe as possible from the elements.
A few simple winterizing tips can go a long way to protect your pool during the winter months.
Tip #1: Clean pool and balance chemicals.
Add your winter chemicals and let them circulate for about 4 hours (always follow the instructions on your chemical container).
Tip #2: Drain water and disconnect filter and pump drain.
Unless you use an Aquador, drain the water about 1” below the skimmer. Disconnect the filter and pump drain.
Tip #3: Prevent lines from freezing.
Blow the excess water out of the lines and plug and add antifreeze to the lines. (This step is VERY important to get right; we recommend you let our pool professionals help you with this pool winterizing service).
Tip #4: Get a good pool cover.
Don’t make the mistake of leaving your pool uncovered for the winter. Things like leaves, branches and even animals can find their way into your pool during the winter. This can leave a major mess at the bottom of the pool and a lot to clean up.
With no cover, ice can form and float around, potentially damaging the lining of the pool. This could lead to costly repairs, or even a liner replacement.
To avoid these pitfalls, cover your pool with a good pool cover and ensure it’s properly secured with water tubes or winter cover cables.
Tip #5: Leave water in the pool.
It may seem counterintuitive to leave the water in your pool, but doing so prevents the ground from expanding and putting excess pressure on the walls of the pool. Without water, your pool is vulnerable to the pressure of the expanding ground. This pressure may cause cracks in the pool foundation or even a potential collapse.
Tip #6: Care for your pool cover.
A little water on top of your cover (about 1/2 inch) can keep it from blowing up in windy conditions. However, If you see excess water collecting on the top, pump it off to keep water from freezing and putting extra pressure on the liner.
Clear debris from the top of the cover to avoid excess pressure on it and to keep it as clean as possible. Leaf covers are a great way to easily remove leaves that have collected.
Don’t let mother nature ruin your summer fun! Beat the winter elements and protect your pool with these winterizing tips. If you have any questions or need winterizing products for your pool, contact Zagers. We’d love to help!