HOW POOL CLOSING SERVICES CAN PROTECT YOUR POOL FROM WINTER DAMAGE
Winter is on the way! With snowman building and Christmas madness that comes a whole list of preparations against winter damage, not least of which concerns your pool. Here’s a guide to the types of damage that a pool can suffer during the winter, and how you can use a pool company’s pool closing services to avoid them.
NO DRAINING!
If you’re a new pool owner, and worried about the effect that freezing conditions will have on your new pool, your first instinct might be to simply drain the pool. That way, you eliminate the source of the problem, right? Unfortunately, water is the structural ingredient that helps most pools maintain their proper shape. It is important to NEVER drain your pool for the winter. Concrete pools are the exception to this rule, and you’ll see why in a moment. This means you’ll have to get a cover, using a local pool company’s pool closing services, and regularly remove the snow and debris that will gather on your pool’s frozen surface.
INGROUND POOLS
Fiberglass – It is important to get a thick, heavy pool cover to protect your pool during the winter months, no matter the type of pool you have. This is one of the primary aspects of pool closing services provided by a local pool company. Covering your fiberglass pool, and keeping the surface clear will prevent bulging side walls, which can lead to cracks and splits in the sides and floors.
Concrete/Gunite – Like the fiberglass models, concrete pools are susceptible to cracking due to extremely low temperatures. This can create a structural catastrophe as the ice melts, leaving your pool in ruins. As the most customizable pools around, there are often tiles and steps, smaller elements that can also be damaged by heavy ice and low temperatures, which is why this is the one type of pool that it is recommended you drain in preparation for the winter.
Vinyl Liner – These are perhaps the most common pools in North America. It is important not to drain these, because exposure to the air will weaken the liner. If a cover falls into the empty, dry pool, the weight from the cover and cover springs can create tears in the lining, which will lead to a major renovation project in the spring.
