TOP TIPS TO HELP YOUR POOL SURVIVE THE WINTER SEASON
Unless you’re keen on polar bear swims, your pool won’t be in use over the course of the winter. They still need maintenance to help keep them in top condition for the coming season, though! Hiring Ottawa pool services is a great way to ensure you’ve properly closed and prepared your pool for the cold weather ahead.
Winterizing your pool is a must to keep your pool protected, but there are a few things you can do that go a step beyond to keep things in working order until the next season:
SETTING CHLORINE LEVELS
Chlorine is a well-known pool care chemical, but it can do more harm than good if the levels in your pool are off. Adding chlorine to the leftover pool water when closing up for the winter keeps the remaining water clean, preventing bacteria growth that can damage the rest of the pool. But! Adding too much chlorine can bleach the lining, weakening it and causing it to tear.
That’s the last thing you want to worry about when closing up for the winter. If you are unsure about the correct amount of chlorine to add to your pool during closing, don’t hesitate to ask an Ottawa pool service professional. They’ll help you winterize properly, ensuring your investment is protected.
ALGAECIDES AND WINTERIZING
Most pool chemicals are only designed for daily use, and aren’t meant to work for months-long periods of time. That’s why it is important to include winterizing products and long-lasting algaecides in your pool water before closing up. These chemicals will prevent algae and bacteria build-up when the weather begins to warm up and the water begins to thaw.
POOL COVERS
Pool covers are your pool’s main line of defense against ice, snow, and debris. Pool covers are a must for winter protection, but they need to be cleaned off in order to remain effective. Make sure you clean the cover before putting it in place for the winter—hose it down before temperatures start to drop for optimal results.
ICE DAMAGE PREVENTION
When the temperature outside dips below zero, your pool water will start to freeze. While this may not be detrimental to the small amount of water left inside the pool, it can be hazardous to your pool’s hardware. Be sure to drain your pool to the correct level to remove any access water inside your pool’s filter, heater, and pumps. If you don’t, the water inside will freeze and expand, causing costly damage to the hardware.
This may seem like a lot of work, but it will all pay off when summer rolls around again. If you have questions about winter pool care, or simply want someone to get the job done for you, hire Ottawa pool services for a helping hand. Follow the above tips, and your pool will be ready to survive the long winter ahead.