One of the reasons a reliable pool builder in Orange County recommends winterizing and closing pools at the end of summer is to protect essential components from the dangers of freezing.
A benefit for pool owners is that they don’t have to do any maintenance for four to six months. Winterizing pools is even recommended in climates that don’t have a severe cold or near-freezing temperatures, like Southern California.
Pool builders in Orange County can help you manage the practicalities of closing your pool.
Let a Luxury Pool Builder in Orange County Provide Essential Advice
One of the many benefits of owning a pool in Southern California is that closing pools for winter require less work than closing a pool in Northern California or any of the northern regions in the US, where winters are dominated by snow and ice and freezing temperatures.
Among other things, winterizing swimming pools in Southern California provide protection against unexpectedly severe weather conditions, like a cold snap that sends temperatures plummeting and rain storms that can muck around with the delicate chemical levels in the pool.
What Advice is Your Pool Builder in Orange County Likely to Give You?
The best advice is to break the winterizing process into easy steps—this helps to ensure you aren’t overwhelmed by the job because you always know where you are in the process.
First of all, you need to know when to start the winterizing process. Pool professionals recommend that you start prepping your inground pool for winter when the temperatures are consistently under 65°F. You can start winterizing your above-ground pool when winter temperatures are at 70°F.
Then you can follow this step-by-step process:
Step One
Clean your pool thoroughly. Remove the debris in skimmer baskets, vigorously scrub the pool walls, and vacuum the bottom.
Step Two
Remove all the pool equipment and pool accessories, including the ladder, water slides, and diving boards. The diving board can stay if it’s about 5 ft from the edge of the pool.
Step Three
Inspect the equipment to see if everything is in good working order. Clean the equipment so that no mold, algae, or other germs and bacteria have a chance to grow.
You might need to lubricate some parts, including the pool pump lid and filter o-rings, before storing all the equipment somewhere safe and dry for winter. You don’t want cold air getting in and freezing the bits and pieces anyway.
Step Four
Test the pH and chlorine levels and ensure they are within their optimum ranges. That’s 7.2 pH to 7.6 pH and 1 part per million (ppm) to 3 ppm for chlorine. Add any pool chemicals necessary to bring the pH and chlorine levels into balance.
Don’t forget to check calcium hardness in the pool water, which should be 175 ppm to 225 ppm, and alkalinity, which should be equal to 80 ppm to 150 ppm.
The chemical levels should remain balanced throughout winter, but it’s a good idea to check them every six to eight weeks.
Step Five
Clean the filter so that it works optimally throughout winter.
Step Six
Turn on the pool pump and then add pool shock to the water. The exact amount of pool shock depends on the size of the pool, but an average of four pounds should suffice.
Step Seven
Add algaecide to prevent algae growth while the pool is under cover.
Step Eight
Run the pump for 24 hours, switch it off, and let the pool settle for 24 hours.
Step Nine
Clean the pool again, skim the leaves from the surface, and then cover the pool. There are two kinds of winter pool covers; mesh safety covers and solid covers. Whichever type of winter pool cover you choose, ensure that it’s properly secured so that it doesn’t just protect your pool, it also protects your children and pets who might fall or walk unintentionally onto the cover.
Step Ten
Reset the filter timer so that the pump’s run time is shortened by an hour. It’s important to keep the water moving to prevent it from freezing in the pipes. Maintaining circulation is also important for water chemistry to prevent germs and bacteria from growing. Algae are particularly fond of stagnant water.
If you’re particularly worried about parts freezing, you can add swimming pool anti-freeze. Look for products that are specifically labeled swimming pool antifreeze. Generally, one gallon of anti-freeze should do the trick. Perhaps consult a pool builder in Orange County before taking this step.
Keep an eye on the pool cover. Clean it of debris and remove any standing water on the surface. This prevents damage and prolongs the life of your pool cover.
Draining The Pool
You shouldn’t completely drain your pool in winter. The main reason is to avoid water accumulating beneath the shell of the pool, which could end up raising the shell off the ground—this presents major problems.
However, you can drain the water to just below the skimmer level, which is a comfortable space for your pool’s cover. This water level also allows you to clean the plumbing system when necessary. This keeps the parts in good condition while the pool isn’t being used.
How to Winterize an Above-Ground Swimming Pool
All of the steps above are used to winterize inground swimming pools. The process is a little different for above-ground pools. For instance, you have to disconnect the hoses and plug in the outlets.
The process of putting on winter covers is also quite different. You need to install and anchor an air pillow in the middle of the pool. This keeps the expansion of ice in the pool under control and also provides extra support to ensure that the weight of any collected snow or water doesn’t put too much pressure on the cover and cause damage.
Winterize Salt Pools with Orange County Pool Builders
Many of the steps for winterizing and closing inground and above-ground apply to saltwater pools, but there are some crucial differences.
Interestingly, adding salt to a pool before closing and winterization is not recommended. You can find out and learn more when you reach out to professional Orange County pool builders like our team. Contact us at 714-235-3294 at Calimingo Pools today!
