Autumn is right around the corner, and in Minnesota, that means it’s time to think about closing your pool for the winter. Closing your swimming pool properly is critical to ensure that your pool and its components survive the winter and remain operational come summer. If you’ve never closed your pool before, or just need to brush up on the process, the professionals at Royal Pool & Spa are here to educate. And, if you don’t want to bother with performing the process yourself, our knowledgeable technicians will do the job for you! Below, we detail a basic outline for shutting down your pool.
Clean Your Pool
Before you begin the closing process, you’ll need to make sure your pool is squeaky clean. First, remove and store any pool accessories that you may use, including:
● Skimmer baskets
● Safety ropes
● Diving board
● Ladders and rails
After you’ve stored these items, it’s time to test your water’s chemical levels before you begin the cleaning process. To test the water, either take a small sample to your pool cleaning company, or, if you prefer DIY, you can check the pH yourself using water testing strips. After you’ve completed water testing, it’s time to scrub the walls of your pool, vacuum the floor, and skim the surface of the water.
Check the Chemicals
Winterizing the water in your pool is a critical step in the closing process. Fail to do this properly, and you could end up with some pretty off-putting water come springtime. Experts recommend “shocking” your pool before winter to help ensure contaminants cannot flourish during the offseason. While shocking the water is a necessary part of regular pool maintenance, it is especially important before pool closing. To perform this step properly, we recommend consulting with a professional to ensure you’re purchasing the appropriate swimming pool chemicals. And, if handling a large volume of chemicals doesn’t sit well with you, our trained technicians are happy to help!
Adjust the Water Level
While you don’t want a pool full of water throughout the winter, you certainly don’t want an empty one, either. The water in your pool functions to provide support for the heavy pool cover you’ll be using; not enough support, and you may end up with a damaged or nonfunctional cover.
The amount of water you’ll need to drain depends on the type of pool you own. Water protects your skimmer and return jet from the damaging effects of freezing, so it’s critical you adjust the level properly. Generally, for above-ground pools, drain the water to one inch below the bottom of the skimmer. For in-ground pools, drain the water about six inches below the bottom of the skimmer. However, to avoid any issues with improper water levels, we recommend hiring a professional pool maintenance company to perform the job.
Drain and Winterize the Equipment
Before your pool closing is complete, you must drain any water from various components of your pool’s equipment, including:
● Heating components
● Chlorinating equipment
● Pumps
● Filters
Draining these items ensures that freezing temperatures won’t cause water within the equipment to freeze, expand, and crack during the winter. After you’ve drained your pool equipment, it’s time to winterize the plumbing system. To do this, you’ll need to blow out the various lines throughout your pool to remove any traces of water. At Royal Pool & Spa, we also recommend adding antifreeze to these lines as we all know how brutal the Minnesota winters can be.
Put a Lid On It
Covering your pool is the final step in the pool closing process. A sturdy pool cover helps protect your investment from severe weather, contaminants, and even small critters looking for a quick bath. If you use a pool pillow, simply inflate and place it directly in the center of your pool. Rope attached to the sides of the pillow and the edges of your pool can help keep the pillow from shifting during the months ahead.
After you’ve situated the pool pillow, it’s time to cover up. You can secure your pool cover using clips or water bags to keep it stationary. If you suspect you’ll be receiving significant precipitation over the coming months, install a pump to handle water buildup on the surface of your pool cover.
Pool Maintenance and Closing in the Twin Cities
If you don’t have the time or desire to go through the hassle of closing your pool, the expert technicians at Royal Pool & Spa are here to help. Our highly trained team specializes in residential and commercial pool maintenance and has been serving the Twin Cities area for over 30 years. With decades of combined experience, our technicians know exactly how to serve your pool to keep it functioning beautifully. We know your pool is an important investment and we’re here to help you protect it. To learn more about our services, or to schedule maintenance on your pool, contact our team at 651-779-7606.