Preventing Pool Problems

Having a swimming pool can provide you with a fun family activity, as well as outdoor exercise, but you might not live in a climate that allows you to swim year-round. If it gets too cold in the winter to use the pool, you might to take some steps to winterize it. This will protect the swimming pool from the elements and make it ready to use when spring arrives.

Keep an Eye on the Water Chemistry

Before the winter season arrives, make sure you have a way to balance the water chemistry. This will prevent corrosion of the swimming pool surface and make it to where less work needs to be done when spring arrives and it is time to use the pool again. If you don't hire a pool company to clean the pool, you will need to test the water yourself. You can do this by checking the alkalinity, calcium, and pH level with water testing kits. You will also want to check the chlorination level and apply a chemical kit for winter purposes. You should not add any bromine or chlorine tablets to the pool before the winter season.

Reduce the Amount of Water

While you don't want to empty the pool water completely, you should reduce how much water is in the pool. This is because water can expand as it freezes, which may do damage to different parts of the pool, from the interior surface to the filter. Reduce the water level until it reaches below the skimmer. A pool professional can help you with this if you are not sure how to do it. However, don't empty the pool completely. Having the weight of some water helps to avoid cracking of the pool surface due to freezing temperatures.

Have the Pump and Heater Inspected

Your pool pump and heater will take quite a beating during the winter, especially if you get a lot of below-freezing temperatures. Before the temperatures drop, have a pool professional take a look at the pump and heater to make sure they are in good working condition. During the winter, they should return to your home to look at the pump, heater, and other parts of your pool once more to see if any repairs need to be done.

Keep the Pool Covered

The final step to winterizing your swimming pool is getting a high-quality cover the pool and keeping it covered for the entire winter season. This cover not only controls some of the temperature changes in the pool, but it helps keep debris from the pool. The last thing you want is debris getting into the heater, then having the water freeze with the insects, twigs, or leaves caught inside.

Contact a swimming pool cleaner like KC Pool Services today.