Winter will arrive before you know it, even though summer has just begun in some areas.
Winter brings gray skies, cooler temperatures, and closed swimming pools. This is a period of disappointment as many of the happy summer days spent splashing in the sun and making memories at the pool are over.
Winter won’t last forever and spring will be here soon.
It’s important that you understand the importance of taking strategic steps to close your customer’s swimming pool. This will help to ensure a sparkling clean pool in spring. A good plan for closing the pool is key to a spring opening that’s easy.
Shutting down
Closing a pool during the off-season is a good way to protect pool surfaces and equipment, as well as (hopefully), maintain clear water when the pool reopens.
In order to achieve this goal, it is important that proactive measures are taken in the off-season to reduce bacteria and algae. To protect the surface of the pool and the equipment, the water must be balanced before closing the system. The following are essential elements of a comprehensive winterizing program.
Winterization and off-season maintenance are the two main methods for caring for cold water pools. The weather forecast for the winter will determine which method is best. But, in the end, the timing of winterization is what matters most.
Close the pool before it is time. Many commercial pools, in particular, open and close their pools according to the calendar. Many customers, for example, open their pools around the 1st of May, or even later, and shut them down at Labor Day, regardless of weather conditions. It is difficult to protect the pool during winter, and it’s even more difficult to open the pool in spring. It is important to keep the water cool while the pool closes. This will ensure a successful opening in spring.
Calendar Close? !
If you choose to close and open the pool according to the calendar, the water will be warm at the time of opening and warm again when the pool is closed. Warm water, as we all know, is the ideal environment for bacteria growth and algal blooms.
In the off-season, chemicals used to winterize warm water won’t be as effective in keeping the pool clear and clean. The chemicals added in warmer temperatures will be used up faster because they are doing more work.
The water in pools that have been closed or opened when the temperature is higher or hotter will be more cloudy and green, and require more chlorine. The best tip to ensure success is not to close the pool if it is warmer than 70 degrees Fahrenheit. It is also important that the pool is opened before the spring water temperature reaches 70.
In climates that don’t experience very cold winters, off-season pool maintenance is necessary. These locations have water temperatures that stay above 70 degrees Fahrenheit in the fall for longer and then warm up more quickly in the spring.
The water will cool during the winter, but it usually warms up again quickly because of the shorter and milder winter season. This is good for those who dislike winter but can make it difficult to maintain a clean and safe pool in these unpredictable or inconsistent circumstances. Winter chemicals will deplete more quickly because bacteria and algae multiply more quickly in warm water. A mid-off-season check to ensure that the pool water is balanced is recommended.
It can be difficult for a pool to be cleared and ready for swimming when it has been left unprotected. In milder climates, pools that are left open should have the circulation system running at least once a day to ensure the water is moving and to check the water balance. This will protect the surface of the pool and the equipment.
While weekly pool maintenance is usually suspended during this time, it’s important to shock and sanitize the water periodically throughout the off-season. Due to the reduced frequency with which the filter and pump system are run, it is necessary to treat the pool with additional algae treatments.
Extreme temperatures
It is important to monitor these pools if temperatures drop much lower than normal, and freezing becomes a problem. It is important to run the pool pump constantly if there is a possibility of a freezing. Many pool owners found out the hard way during the Texas freeze two years ago.
Winterization is only for areas where the water stays cold. Equipment is protected from freezing and unhooked to avoid damage in winter conditions. In water that is this cold, bacteria and algae are less likely grow and reproduce. Winterizing chemicals also tend to last longer.
Winterized pools do not run when closed. The chemicals are added when the pool is closed, the water is then drained below the skimmer, and the equipment is drained and plugged and, sometimes, even removed, to prevent it from being damaged by freezing. Many pools aren’t treated again until the spring. If the winter was unseasonably warm, or the pool had been closed too soon, an algaecide treatment may be needed to keep the pool clean.
Add a Lid to It
Covering the pool, regardless of climate conditions, is a vital part of pool maintenance in off-season. In the off-season, pools are not used for long periods. Pool owners tend to neglect maintenance tasks such as vacuuming, scrubbing, and brushing. When the weather is hot, no one wants a pool!
Covering the pool reduces the need to maintain the pool. Pool owners should clean excess water and debris off the top cover as winter progresses. The cover can be pulled in the pool if water and debris become too heavy. The pool cover or pool itself can be damaged, and the mess created by the debris in the pool is a major problem.
When you remove your winter cover in the spring, be careful not to let dirt, debris, and contaminants that are on the top of it fall into the water. It can cause problems with the filtration system, water clarity, and chlorine demand.
Chemical Essentials
Winter products include a shock to the pool, an algaecide and a stain-and-scale product for the surface and equipment. It is important to remove and treat all problems in a pool before winterizing it chemically. If you close a pool that has problems, they will only get worse during the winter. This means more time and chemicals are needed to open the pool in the spring. Before a pool can be closed, it is important to evaluate and balance the water balance, residual sanitizer, and clarity of the water. It is important to fix any problems before the pool is closed. This will allow the winterizing program work properly and help you open your pool faster and easier in the spring.
Before closing the pool, it is important to balance pH, alkalinity total, and calcium hardness. This will ensure that the surface of your pool remains protected and chemicals are working efficiently. The colder temperatures of winter can cause the water to become corrosive. The prolonged exposure to corrosive waters can cause metal stains and etching on the pool surface. It may also increase the risk of damage to pool equipment. A stain and scaling control product, in addition to balancing pool water prior to closing the pool, should be added to the pool at closing. This will protect the pool against surface problems as well as metal-based stains or water discoloration. This combination of products will provide you with superior protection throughout the winter. You can then start your pool off right when the summer returns.
Enzymes and phosphate-removal products are also useful for winterizing and can ensure a smooth opening in the spring. Combining enzymes with surfactants will reduce the amount of chlorine required to break down non-living contaminants. Enzymes can make the pool open easier and prevent the ugly scum accumulation that is often a problem for spring openings. Reduce and minimize the level of Phosphate in the pool after closing to ensure that the opening process is faster. A multi-functional product containing both enzymes as well as a phosphate removal agent can help to avoid problems during the winter.
Winterizing your pool with care and taking proactive steps will make spring opening a breeze. Follow the steps to ensure that your pool is ready to swim in no time.
Recap — Tips To Remember
- Close the pool when it’s consistently below 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Close the pool when the temperature consistently falls below 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Open the pool before it reaches 70 degrees.
- Select the best method for off-season care of your pool (determine if you need to close all pools or just pay attention during off-season).
- Cover the pool regardless if it is fully closed or not.
- Close the pool if there are any problems with water clarity or chemistry.
- The key to water balance is:
You can relax knowing that openings in the spring will be much easier. Enjoy some downtime now — you deserve it!
Alicia Stephens, Director of Education and Training Manager for Biolab, Inc., focuses on education, training, and development, technical support, and the research and integration of new products. She can be reached via email at [email protected].
The article was first published in AQUA Magazine, the leading resource for pool and spa retailers, builders and service professionals. All industry professionals can subscribe to the print edition of AQUA Magazine for free. Subscribe by clicking here.
