Not quite ready to give up your pool time just yet? We get it! When you have a backyard oasis in a state where winter often seems endless, you probably anticipate pool season for months on end.
And when summer seems to fly by too quickly, you might want to put off swimming pool closing for as long as possible. But how long can you extend pool season in Minnesota without putting your swimming pool at risk?
Let's take a look.
Recommended Time for Swimming Pool Closing in Minnesota
When you own a swimming pool in a state that sees months of freezing temperatures and snow, you must close it down before the weather gets too cold.
If you keep your pool open too long, water can freeze inside the plumbing lines, pump, filter, and other components. And because water expands when it freezes, it can do quite a bit of damage to several parts of your pool.
So when is the right time? That depends on a few factors that we'll go over later on. If you want to jot something down on your calendar so you don't forget, National Pool Closing Day is a safe bet. The date varies from year to year since it falls on the third Saturday in September.
The Crucial Importance of Proper Swimming Pool Closing
Even if you shut down your pool before the weather gets cold, it could still suffer costly damage if you don't do the job properly. And that's why you should hire a professional for the job if you're short on time or unfamiliar with pool closing must-dos.
Properly closing a swimming pool involves several crucial steps, all of which must be performed to prevent algae growth and damage.
Proper winterization also helps ensure you won't wind up spending hours cleaning your pool when it comes time to open it back up in spring.
How Long Can You Extend Your Pool Season?
You might not have to if you're not ready to winterize your pool come September. But whether or not that's true depends on the following factors:
Do You Have a Pool Heater?
If you use a pool heater, you may be able to keep your pool open for a few weeks past the end of September. But if you put off closing, you must ensure the pool water stays warm enough.
Generally, you should wait to close your pool until its water temperature consistently remains below 65 degrees Fahrenheit. But definitely do it before nighttime temperatures dip below freezing. Shutting it down while the water is on the cooler side will help keep algae from growing.
If your pool heater can keep the water above 65 degrees around the clock, you can keep your swimming pool open until water temps start to dip.
What Are Outdoor Temperatures Like?
If it's still pretty warm out come September, you might not have to close your pool right away, even if it doesn't have a heater.
Again, the water must stay on the warmer side if you want to keep your pool open longer. As soon as the temperature of the water starts dropping at night, it's time to winterize.
Does Your Property Have Lots of Trees?
If you have many leaf-dropping trees near your pool, keeping it open well into the autumn could be a real pain in the neck. Even if you're on a weekly pool maintenance schedule, you'll likely end up fishing tons of leaves from the water on your own—on a daily basis.
And if you're not diligent about getting those leaves out, they could leave discoloration in your pool.
What Can You Do to Extend Pool Season?
If you're not quite ready to end your pool season, there are a few ways to keep the system open longer.
Invest in an Automatic Cover
Automatic pool covers are beneficial all year round! The automatic system means never having to try to cover the pool single-handedly, and it reduces the amount of build-up like leaves and twigs in the water.
Once you're getting into the cooler months, energy efficiency levels can plummet as your system tries to keep the water at the right temperature; an automated cover means more consistent coverage, keeping the heat in instead of letting it escape and saving you money each month.
Keep Up on Maintenance
Everyone knows that regular maintenance is critical, and the better an item is cared for, the longer it will last, so it's readily available for use whenever you choose.
Your pool is no different, and if you allow debris to build up inside the water without regular care, this will decrease its appeal and bring in contaminants that can get into your pump and filtration system, resulting in inexpensive repair or replacement.
Staying on top of skimming the surface, cleaning out the filters and pump, and investing in an automatic cover can all help reduce the risks and let you enjoy your pool longer through the year.
Winterize the System
The pool is an investment, and depending on how long you want to be able to use it, winterization options can keep it from being destroyed in the colder season.
Consider automatic timers to keep your filter pump and heater running automatically, or choose an energy-efficient pool heat pump for a cost-effective on-demand heat source and remove the risk that comes with colder temperatures.
Schedule Swimming Pool Closing in the Twin Cities
Want to ensure your Twin Cities pool is properly closed and prepared to weather the winter season? Then don't hesitate to contact our Royal Pool & Spa team for help!
We specialize in a wide array of pool services and have proudly served thousands of pool owners in White Bear Lake over the last 30+ years. To get a pool closing quote or learn more about our many services, give us a call at 651-779-7606 or request a quote online, and we'll get in touch!