The Importance of Pool Maintenance over the Winter
As we plunge deeper into winter, our swimming pools slip further and further into the back of our minds. After you winterize a pool, you may think you can just forget about it until the warmer months. But what happens when you come back and find that pool has sustained substantial damage? It can cost you a ton of money in repairs as well as waste your valuable time. The best option is to properly carry out pool maintenance throughout the winter so you can enjoy a smooth transition when it’s time to reopen the pool.
Monitor the Pool’s Condition
- Debris
Keeping an eye out for your pool is an essential aspect of winter maintenance. When outdoor pools are covered, debris can collect on top of the cover, potentially damaging it. Make sure to periodically clear any debris off the cover. It’s also important to do this right before you reopen your pool. When dirty water mixed with debris collects on a pool cover,it will enter the clean pool water when the cover is being removed. Do not use anything that can rip or tear the cover when you are removing the debris.
- Weather and Freezing
On top of the debris, you also need to keep an eye out for inclement weather that could impact the pool. Heavy snow and high winds can put tension on a pool cover and potentially damage it. The cover, it’s attachments and anchors all need to be attached securely to prevent this. Large amounts of water caused by precipitation can also cause a pool cover to collapse. Freezing water can also damage your pool and pool equipment. Your pool’s freeze guard and water circulation must be properly maintained over the winter to prevent this. By keeping an eye on these conditions, you will know exactly when it’s time to call a Certified Pool Operator ® for maintenance services.
- Equipment
Check your equipment to see if it has succumbed to any elemental damage or pest infestation.
Water Chemistry
A common mistake pool owners make is failing to maintain the proper chemical balance in their pool during the winter. Just because no one will be swimming in the pool doesn’t mean that water chemistry doesn’t matter. When the pH, alkalinity, cyanuric acid, and calcium hardness are at improper levels, the water can corrode the pool surfacing and equipment over the entire off-season.
It is also important to make sure there is sanitizer, and possibly an algaecide, in the pool so that you don’t take off the cover to find a completely green pool when the swimming season begins. A Certified Pool Operator ® will know the best water balance to maintain during the off-season so make sure to hire one for regular maintenance services.
Experts In Pool Maintenance
Keep in mind that this is just an outline of how to protect the pool during the off-season. In order to truly take care of a pool, you will need to hire or train to become a Certified Pool Operator®. Pool Operation Management offers award-winning, two-day courses in CPO certification. We offer the perfect start to becoming a pool expert.
We also offer residential and commercial pool maintenance services, so we can maintain your pool for you. Our experienced professionals will not only help you get certified, but you will acquire real-world knowledge to aid you in your pool operation career. Our expertise even qualifies us to serve as expert witnesses in legal matters. Contact us today to get started with the pool experts.
