By Alicia Stephens and Jamie Novak
Summer is winding down and as much as we do not want to, it is time to start thinking about winterizing pools. The sun is shining and the days are hot, but cooler nights and shorter days will be here and soon it will be time to close pools for the winter. The goal of winterizing a pool is to ensure the pool can be opened with ease and efficiency in springtime, with clean and clear water, ready for swimming with as little work as possible. Preparation is the key to successful winterization.
Why winterize?
When it comes to pool care in winter, there are three main objectives:
- The first is to provide sparkling water upon pool opening. Opening a pool that is clean and clear is the result of a successful winter care program.
- The second is to inhibit the growth of bacteria and algae. Proper winter care treatments can help prevent the buildup of contaminants, assisting with a faster turnaround time.
- The final objective of winter pool care is to protect the pool surface and equipment. Part of winter care is balancing the water. Balanced water will keep pH, total alkalinity, and calcium hardness in the correct range, reducing scaling and corrosion that can occur during the winter months.
The first element to consider when closing a pool is timing. The key to winter care is to not close the pool too early. In many cases, pools are opened and closed by the calendar. For example, many customers open their pool at the first of May or later and want to close it at Labour Day, regardless of weather conditions.
Water is often already warm when opening the pool and is still warm when closing the pool. Warm water is an ideal condition for bacterial growth and algae blooms. Winterizing chemicals applied to warm water will not be as efficient in the off-season or as effective at keeping the pool clean and clear. Chemicals added to warmer temperatures get used up at a faster rate because they have more work to do in warm water. Pools that are closed while warm or opened after the water turns warm are much more likely to be cloudy, green, and demand larger amounts of chlorine. Pools ideally should not be closed if the water temperature is above 21 C (70 F) and should be opened again before water reaches 21 C (70 F) in the spring. A liquid solar blanket can help reduce heat loss and extend the swimming season into the fall if a longer season is desired when temperatures start to drop at night.
The post Off-season essentials: Physical and chemical winterization appeared first on Pool & Spa Marketing.
