Themes for Preparing an Outdoor Pool for Winter

With summer gone and the cold Utah winter on the way, owners of outdoor pools around the state are getting started on the process of preparing the pool for the cold season. While the pool won’t be used during the winter in nearly all cases, the proper care approaches are vital for maintaining its quality when you open it back up in the spring. At Dolphin Pools & Spas, our swimming pool repair services are always available to you, including at this time of year where we’ll assist with any cracking, clogging, leaking or algae concerns taking place before you look to close the pool up for the winter. Let’s go over several of the important areas or themes for prepping a pool for winter.

Cleaning Pool and Filter

For starters, a basic clean of the pool will help prevent any damage or staining while it sits unused over the winter. Remove any leaves or other debris in the area – these can become a larger concern if they’re left in the pool for several months. In addition, it’s vital to clean the pool’s filter before closing it up for the winter. This ensures it will operate properly when you open the pool up in the spring, helping ward off potential issues before they arrive.

pH Balance

For both the longevity of your equipment and the quality of the water itself, it’s important to check on and adjust the pH levels of your pool before closing it for the winter. Generally speaking, a pH level between 7.2 and 7.6 or so is the proper range, ensuring comfortable water for people who enter it plus the required amount of sanitation to keep contaminants out during the winter.

Algae Protection

Algae can be a risk to a pool at any time of year, so ensuring yours is protected from it over the winter is also important. Algae leads to cloudy water and potential filter clogs, plus causes the pool to use up chlorine faster, costing you money in the process. If you’re unsure of the proper chemicals to prevent and block algae, speak to our team for guidance or assistance.

Emptying?

Should you empty your pool over the winter? Not entirely. Draining a pool completely leaves the liner at risk for rips and tears, plus drying out concerns. You will need to leave at least some water in the pool, usually up to or just below the skimmer lines, but this will also depend on the kind of pool cover you have. Once again, our team is happy to answer questions and provide recommendations or even emptying assistance as needed.

Cover

Once you’ve completed each of the above areas, it’s time to place your cover on the pool to prevent leaves and debris. Covers also help the water stay at the proper level and maintain its pH balance through its lack of use over the winter. For more on preparing your pool for the winter, or to learn about any of our swimming pool or Bullfrog Spa services, speak to the staff at Dolphin Pools & Spas today.