Many homeowners believe that once the heavy cover is strapped down, the pool enters a state of frozen animation where absolutely nothing can go wrong. This thinking is flawed. The water underneath that tarp is still reacting to every temperature change and chemical shift in the environment. Here are some maintenance mistakes that you must avoid to ensure that your pool opens smoothly come spring.
Failing to Balance the Chemistry Early
One of the most common mistakes is assuming that cold water stays clean without any intervention. Many people believe this because they think algae stop growing when the weather gets chilly. Certain strains survive even when temperatures dip. So, it’s imperative to test your water monthly and add cleaning chemicals as needed.
Ignoring the Accumulation on the Cover
When you leave a heavy pile of wet leaves and melting snow on top of your pool cover, you are essentially playing a dangerous game of chicken with gravity. While pool covers are built to be durable, several hundred gallons of standing water can add significant weight and stretch the fabric well beyond what it is designed to handle. If the fabric or springs become compromised, all that filthy, decaying organic matter will fall straight into your clean pool water. This will create a massive mess that takes weeks of filtering and hundreds of dollars in shock treatment to mitigate. Monitor the pool cover daily and remove debris and standing water as soon as you notice it.
Draining the Water Level Too Low
Some people think that draining the pool halfway will protect the tiles from ice damage. What they fail to realize is that doing this actually creates a structural nightmare. If the water level drops too far, the surrounding ground pressure can actually cause the liner to pull away from the track or the pool walls to cave. On the other hand, if the water is high enough to touch the decorative tile line, it can freeze and expand, causing the tiles to pop right off the wall. You should aim to keep the water level just below the skimmer mouth unless you use a special winterizing plug.
Neglecting Your Equipment All Winter Long
Even if you turn off your pump and blow out your pipes, you still need to inspect the equipment pad after a significant storm. Rodents often look for warm places to hide during the winter. They love to chew on the colorful wiring inside your pump motor or heater cabinet. If you overlook this damage until April, you might find yourself waiting weeks for a repair technician during their busiest season.
You should also check that your “gizmo” plugs in the skimmers are still tight and that no water has seeped back into the plumbing lines. A small amount of water left in a pipe can freeze and crack the pipes. This will lead to an underground leak that is very difficult to locate and fix later.
Have a professional give your pool one last look over before you close it for the season. They can catch anything you missed and set your pool up to withstand the winter weather. To ensure all goes well, call Landi Pool Service to schedule winter maintenance in Vineland, NJ.
